funeral rites
We offer you our condolence on the passing of a loved one. The silver cloud of mourning is touched by joy in the light of our hope for Resurrection. Indeed, for the Lord’s faithful, life is changed, not ended. A funeral liturgy is an opportunity to express thanks to God for the gift of a person’s life, be more closely united with Christ crucified in our sorrow, and to pray for the soul of our beloved dead.
Significance
In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his death and resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity. Christ “achieved his task of redeeming humanity and giving perfect glory to God, principally by the paschal mystery of his blessed passion, resurrection from the dead, and glorious ascension.
At the funerals of its children the Church confidently celebrates Christ’s paschal mystery. Its intention is that those who by baptism were made one body with the dead and risen Christ may with him pass from death to life. In soul they are to be cleansed and taken up to heaven with the saints and elect; in body they await the blessed hope of Christ’s coming and the resurrection of the dead.
At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting word of God and the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Making Arrangements
The first step is to call a local mortuary who can prepare the body for Christian burial, set a realistic timeline for the celebration of the funeral rites, and contact the Church and cemetery on your behalf to make arrangements. One of the parish priests will try to accommodate your preferred date. In addition, once the funeral date is set, a member of the bereavement team will call you to make an appointment. During this meeting, you will participate in planning the funeral liturgy while the bereavement minster learns more about the faith and life of the beloved deceased. The parish priest will weave aspects of the person’s life into the scripture chosen by the family during the funeral homily. Please see grief support group under the heading, “healing” for the bereft who may be feeling the burden of separation difficult to bear.
Fairhaven Memorial Services (949) 380-8911
McCormick & Son Mortuary (949) 768-0933
O'Connor Mortuary (949) 581-4300
Saddleback Chapel Mortuary (714) 544-1450
Ascension Catholic Cemetery and Guardian Angel Mausoleum are located just minutes from the parish on Trabuco Road. You may contact them at (949) 837-1331.
bereavement team
