About These Guidelines

These guidelines are prepared to clarify how funerals are conducted at St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church. If you are reading this for the first time during a time of loss, please accept our deepest  sympathy and our promise to do all that we can to help you in the love and spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 

General Procedures
The standard procedure for a funeral at St. John Chrysostom that a funeral director (from a funeral home or mortuary) works with our parish pastoral staff to set up the details of the visitation, funeral Mass or liturgy, and interment. Funeral directors are very helpful in arranging the schedule for the events, setting up for the visitation, and coordinating the interment. They also assist with guest books and easels and tables for pictures and memory displays.

Normally, after news of death, the family contacts a local funeral home of their choice. The funeral home will then contact St. John Chrysostom to determine possible times and dates for a funeral Mass or Liturgy. The family will meet with the funeral director and confirm the date/time.
The family should then contact St. John's Parish House (610-874-3418) to schedule a meeting with pastoral staff to plan the funeral liturgy. Most families will meet with pastoral associate Theresa White and/or our pastor, Fr. Ed Hallinan (left).

Mass or Liturgy without Mass?
The standard liturgy for a deceased Catholic who was in good standing with the Church is a Mass, with the body present. A Mass should always be the presumed format. In a case where the deceased is not a practicing Catholic, or lived a life publicly contradicting Catholic beliefs and practice, a liturgy without a Mass might be more appropriate. If there is question about whether a liturgy without Mass might be more appropriate, the family should speak with the pastor.

Guest Priest/Deacon
If the family of the deceased requests a guest clergy, the family should inform the pastoral staff  at the time of the planning meeting. Normally, a St. John Chrysostom priest or deacon will preside at the Mass or service. Guest priests or deacons are welcome to concelebrate (or assist, in the case of a deacon) as long as they are in good standing. At the discretion of the presider, the guest priest/deacon may be permitted to give the homily, final commendation and lead the service at the cemetery.

Words of Remembrance (Eulogies)
The grieving process necessarily includes time to remember the life of your loved one. In the Catholic funeral rite, this is most appropriately done during the visitation or visitation (wake) service.

Because the Funeral Mass is primarily the time for praise and thanks for God's gift of eternal life in Jesus, we discourage the inclusion of Words of Remembrance (eulogies) at the Mass. If Words of Remembrance are to be included at the Mass, there may be only one speaker. Reflections may be no more than three minutes long and will be offered prior to the beginning of Mass. Words of Remembrance must be submitted to the Celebrant in writing before the Mass.

Visitation (Wake)
If the parish schedule permits, the visitation (wake) may take place prior to the Funeral Liturgy in church. We allow 30 minutes for setting up the casket, flowers, photo displays, guest book and any other items for the visitation. Church visitations are limited to two (2) hours. A longer or second visitation, if desired, should be arranged at the funeral home.

Flowers
Up to two floral arrangements may be left for use in the church at the discretion of the family. However, floral arrangements may not be left in the church during Lent.

Photo & Memorial Displays
Families should contact the funeral home to arrange for easels or tables for their memorial displays.

Programs
St. John Chrysostom does not provide printed programs for funerals and discourages their use.

Special Circumstances

For a Child who has Died before Baptism
A Mass can always be celebrated for a child who has died, even without baptism.  Appropriate prayers are used if the child was not baptized.

For Non-Catholics
A Catholic funeral (even a Mass) may be celebrated for a person who is not a Catholic. This case may arise when the surviving spouse is Catholic and the deceased spouse practiced no religion.

For Victims of Suicide
In earlier times, a person who took his or her own life would often be denied funeral rites and even burial in a Church cemetery. The Catholic Church reversed that position in 1983, allowing Catholic families to bury their loved ones according to Catholic rites regardless of cause of death.
Today, our Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives. We offer a Funeral Mass for the repose of the soul of a suicide victim, invoking God’s tender love and mercy, and His healing grace for the grieving loved ones. The Church also prays for the family of the deceased, that the loving and healing touch of God will comfort those torn apart by the impact of the suicide.

About Cremation
Please click here for information about cremation.