Funeral Arrangements
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 Eucharist.
(Order of Christian Funerals #4)
Christian Funerals and the Hope of Eternal Life
A funeral is always a time of sadness and mourning. Yet for Christians, it is also a time of hope and quiet rejoicing, for our Lord Jesus Christ has triumphed over death, opening for us the way to eternal life. This is our unwavering faith: that those who die in Christ will rise with Him in glory.
In a Catholic funeral, we commend our departed brother or sister to God’s mercy and pray that they be welcomed into Paradise. In these moments, we draw strength from our faith and from one another — family, friends, and community — united in prayer and love as we walk together through grief toward hope.
If you are making arrangements for the funeral of a loved one, your funeral director and our Parish Office staff will be glad to assist you in selecting the appropriate elements that will make the liturgy a meaningful celebration of trust and hope in Christ Jesus.
Preparing for Death
As followers of Christ, we remember His words that our true homeland is in heaven and that we are pilgrims in this world. We prepare for eternal life by the way we live each day — in faith, love, and readiness to meet the Lord.
At the onset of illness, the Anointing of the Sick may be celebrated so that the person may receive the healing and peace God wishes to give in body, mind, or spirit. When death draws near, one may receive Sacramental Confession and Holy Communion, known as Viaticum, “food for the journey” into everlasting life.
Praying for the Dead
The Church has always encouraged prayer for her deceased members, a tradition rooted in Sacred Scripture. In the Old Testament, the Maccabean brothers prayed for their fallen companions, trusting in the resurrection of the body. Since the early centuries of Christianity, the Holy Mass, our greatest prayer, has been offered for the repose of souls.
Praying for our departed brothers and sisters expresses our belief that death is not the end, but a passage into new life. Our relationships do not end with death; they are transformed in Christ. We honor our loved ones by giving them a dignified Christian burial and by offering prayers for their journey toward heaven. Once they are united with God, they in turn intercede for us with love and power.
Use of the Capilla de San Jose
Our Capilla de San Jose serves as a venue for wakes and prayer vigils. Families are requested to present the official death certificate to the Parish Office when making arrangements. Floral decorations may be coordinated through private florists or the Parish Office.
The chapel, fully air-conditioned and accommodating 30 to 40 persons, provides a quiet and reverent space for prayer and remembrance. Requests for Masses or the presence of a church choir may be arranged with the Parish Secretary.
Out of respect for the sacred character of the Capilla, families are reminded to maintain a prayerful atmosphere. Gambling, intoxicating drinks, and loud music are not permitted. The use of non-biodegradable or disposable plastic utensils is likewise discouraged. Non-Catholic services may be held upon prior arrangement with the Parish Priest. All arrangements may be coursed through the Parish Office at (02) 8821 3789.
Elements of the Funeral
The Catholic funeral includes several sacred moments through which the Christian community expresses faith, hope, and solidarity: prayers immediately after death, a gathering in the presence of the body, the vigil or wake, the procession to the church, the Funeral Mass or Liturgy of the Word, and finally, the committal at the cemetery or columbarium.
The Funeral Mass
The Eucharist lies at the heart of Christian life — and thus also at the heart of the funeral liturgy. At the Last Supper, Jesus offered Himself in bread and wine, transforming them into His Body and Blood as a sacrifice of love. Every celebration of the Eucharist makes present this same sacrifice and becomes our pledge of eternal life.
In the funeral Mass, we proclaim that life has changed, not ended; that our loved one now shares in the Paschal Mystery — the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord.
Scheduling and Participation
The date and time of the funeral Mass and wake service are to be arranged by the family in consultation with the Parish Office and the funeral home. Please note that certain liturgical days — such as Holy Days or during the Sacred Triduum — are not available for funeral celebrations.
Active participation by family and friends greatly enriches the celebration. Through readings, prayers, music, and presence, we draw closer to God and to one another, allowing our shared faith to bring comfort and strength.
Christian Burial
After the Lord Jesus surrendered His Spirit on the Cross, His disciples lovingly prepared His body and placed it in a new tomb. By resting in the tomb for three days, He sanctified the graves of all who believe in Him.
In Christian burial, we lay the body or cremated remains of our loved ones in blessed ground, trusting that God will raise them to new life on the last day. Such consecrated resting places are sacred and fitting expressions of our faith in the resurrection.
Cremation
The Church now permits cremation, while continuing to express preference for the traditional burial of the body. When cremation is chosen, the cremated remains (cremains) may be brought into the church for the Funeral Mass, whether cremation occurs before or after the liturgy.
Following the funeral, a priest accompanies the remains to the cemetery or columbarium for the committal rite. The Church, however, discourages the dividing or scattering of ashes, emphasizing that cremains should rest in a sacred and permanent place. A photograph of the deceased may be placed near the urn or at the church entrance as a sign of remembrance.
Inurnment
Families choosing cremation may arrange for inurnment in our Columbarium, coordinated through the Parish Office. A Holy Mass may be celebrated with the urn present, followed by a Prayer Service and inurnment rites. Columbarium units are available for reservation and purchase.
Visiting Priests
Visiting priests are warmly welcome to join or preside at funeral liturgies. Kindly inform the Parish Priest and Parish Office beforehand. All visiting clergy are required to present valid credentials from their respective dioceses or religious communities.
In all these sacred rites — from the vigil and funeral Mass to the final committal or inurnment — the Church proclaims her faith that life is not ended but transformed. Each prayer, each gesture, and each sacred space speaks of our hope in the Risen Christ, who has conquered death and opened for us the gates of heaven. The columbarium and the Capilla de San Jose thus stand as enduring reminders of that hope: places where love remembers, faith endures, and souls rest in the peace of God. In praying for our departed brothers and sisters, we remain united with them in the communion of saints, trusting that one day we shall all share together in the fullness of life with Christ, who lives and reigns forever.