Dying need not be a time of pain and despair.
It can be a time when we come to terms with life.
A time to concentrate on what is really important, and to make our peace with God.
The Gift of Life in the Face of Death ~ USCCB
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your loved one.
Be assured that we are here to support you and to walk with you through the journey of laying your loved one to rest.
In the Catholic tradition, no one makes this journey alone.
When a loved one dies, please contact your funeral home. The director will then contact St. John's to schedule the arrangements. A member of our parish pastoral staff will then reach out to you to assist in planning the liturgy. More information is available below. We look forward to serving you.
Planning a Mass of Christian Burial (Funeral Mass) entails the selection of readings, hymns, readers, gift bearers and other important details. Our pastoral staff is here to assist you and your family in this process.
Our Funeral Planner Form can help clarify these elements and decisions. Download the Funeral Planner here.
Options for readings, music and the Universal Prayer are described under those tabs on this page.
Funeral guidelines vary from parish to parish. These guidelines are address common questions regarding funerals at St. John Chrysostom.
Visitation
A visitation of up to two hours may take place in church before Mass.
The funeral home provides easels and tables for photo and video displays.
A longer, or additional, visitation should be arranged at the funeral home.
Guest Clergy & Musicians
Normally, St. John's parish priests, deacons, musicians and cantors serve at our funerals.
Guest clergy in good standing are welcome to participate.
Appropriate guest musicians may participate at the discretion of the music director.
Please advise us as soon as possible if you wish to invite guest clergy or musicians.
Words of Remembrance (Eulogy)
Sharing memories of loved ones is most appropriately done at the visitation or at a gathering after the funeral.
Families who wish to offer remembrances in church may have a speaker before Mass begins.
When Words of Remembrance are planned, visitation will conclude 15 minutes before the start of Mass.
These remarks should be no more than 3-5 minutes and respectful of the church setting.
Flowers
One or two floral arrangements may be left in church at the family's discretion.
Flowers may not be left in the church during Lent.
Liturgy Programs
Some families choose to prepare a liturgy program to assist those attending the service.
These programs are not required, and the parish does not provide them.
Many sample templates are available online, and copy centers can provide folding and copying services.
For additional questions, please email Mary Chollet or call (610) 874-3418 x 106.
Three Scripture readings are proclaimed at a Mass of Christian Burial:
Old Testament (First Reading);
New Testament (Second Reading); and
Gospel.
Families typically select these readings; we are happy to provide suggestions if desired.
For the Gospel, John 14:1-6 will be proclaimed unless the family requests otherwise.
Following are the Scripture passages most commonly used in a Funeral Mass.
Click on any citation to read and/or print the reading.
Other passages from Scripture may be used with approval from the pastor.
Non-Scripture readings may not be used.
1-1: 2 Maccabees 12:43-46 ~ He had the resurrection of the dead in view.
1-2: Job 19:1, 23-27a ~ I know that my Vindicator lives.
1-3 Long: Wisdom 3:1-9 ~ The souls of the just are in the hand of God.
1-3 Short: Wisdom 3:1-6,9 ~ The souls of the just are in the hand of God.
1-4: Wisdom 4:7-15 ~ The just man shall be at rest.
1-5: Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 ~ The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces.
1-6: Lamentations 3:17-26 ~ It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.
1-7: Daniel 12:1-3 ~ Those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.
2-1 Long: Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43 ~ He is the one appointed by God as judge.
2-1 Short: Acts of the Apostles 10:34-36,42-43 ~ He is the one appointed by God as judge.
2-2 Long: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 ~ So too in Christ all shall be brought to life.
2-2 Short: 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 ~ So too in Christ all shall be brought to life.
2-3: 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 ~ Death is swallowed up in victory.
2-4: 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1 ~ What is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.
2-5: 2 Corinthians 5:1,6-10 ~ We have a building from God, eternal in heaven.
2-6: 1 John 3:1-2 ~ We shall see him as he is.
2-7: 1 John 3:14-16 ~ We know that we have passed from death to life.
2-8: Philippians 3:20-21 ~ He will change our lowly bodies to conform to his glory.
2-9: Revelation 14:13 ~ Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
2-10: Revelation 20:11-21:1 ~ The dead were judged according to their deeds.
2-11: Revelation 21:1-5a,6b-7 ~ There shall be no more death.
2-12: Romans 5:5-11 ~ We will be saved through him from the wrath.
2-13: Romans 5:17-21 ~ Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.
2-14 Long: Romans 6:3-9 ~ We too might live in newness of life.
2-14 Short: Romans 6:3-4,8-9 ~ We too might live in newness of life.
2-15: Romans 8:14-23 ~ We also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption.
2-16: Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 ~ What will separate us from the love of Christ?
2-17: Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12 ~ Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
2-18: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ~ Thus we shall always be with the Lord.
2-19: 2 Timothy 2:8-13 ~ If we have died with him, we shall also live with him.
G-1: Matthew 5:1-12a ~ Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
G-2: Matthew 11:25-30 ~ Come to me and I will give you rest.
G-3: Matthew 25:1-13 ~ Behold the bridegroom! Come out to him!
G-4: Matthew 25:31-46 ~ Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
G-5 Long: Mark 15:33-39;16:1-6 ~ Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
G-5 Short: Mark 15:33-39 ~ Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
G-6: Luke 7:11-17 ~ Young man, I tell you, arise!
G-7: Luke 12:35-40 ~ You also must be prepared.
G-8: Luke 23:33, 39-43 ~ Today, you will be with me in Paradise.
G-9 Long: Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a ~ Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
G-9 Short: Luke 23:44-46,50,52-53 ~ Father, into Your hands, I commend my spirit.
G-10 Long: Luke 24:13-35 ~ He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
G-10 Short: Luke 24:13-16,28-35 ~ He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
G-11: John 5:24-29 ~ Whoever hears and believes has passed from death to life.
G-12: John 6:37-40 ~ I shall raise him on the last day.
G-13: John 6:51-58 ~ Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
G-14 Long: John 11:17-27 ~ I am the resurrection and the life.
G-14 Short: John 11:21-27 ~ I am the resurrection and the life.
G-15: John 11:32-45 ~ Lazarus, come out!
G-16 Long: John 12:23-28 ~ If it dies, it produces much fruit.
G-16 Short: John 12:23-26 ~ If it dies, it produces much fruit.
G-17: John 14:1-6 ~ In my Father's house, there are many dwellings.
G-18: John 17:24-26 ~ Where I am, they also may be with me.
G-19: John 19:17-18,25-39 ~ Bowing his head, he handed over his Spirit.
Music is integral to the funeral rites.
It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that words alone may fail to convey.Order of Christian Funerals
Masses of Christian Burial include five hymns and one Responsorial Psalm.
A hymn of Meditation and the Psalm are sung by the Cantor.
The other hymns are intended for congregational singing.
Families may select their music from the list below or request a hymn not listed,
and we will do our best to accommodate you.
However, non-liturgical music may not be used at Mass.
Parish musicians serve at our Funeral Masses.
If a family would like to invite a guest accompanist or cantor, these requests are subject to the approval of the Music Director.
Requests for a guest accompanist or cantor require additional planning time and must be submitted as soon as possible.
Psalms (select one)
#23: The Lord is My Shepherd
#25: To You O Lord I Lift My Soul
#27: The Lord is My Light and My Salvation
#63: Your Love is Finer than Life - Haugen
#103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful - Haugen
#131: In You O Lord I have Found My Peace
Hymns (select five) Note: Titles marked with an asterisk (*) are not found in our Breaking Bread hymnal.
All I Ask of You - Weston Priory
Alleluia! Alleluia! - Hymn to Joy
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus - Hyderol
Amazing Grace - New Britain
As the Deer Longs - O Waly Waly
Ave Maria - Franz Schubert
Be Not Afraid - Dufford
Center of My Life - Inwood
Come to Me - Weston Priory
Eye Has Not Seen - Haugen
Faith of our Fathers - St Catherine
For All the Saints - Vaughn Williams
Gift of Finest Wheat - Kreutz
Hail Mary, Gentle Woman - Landry
Healing River of the Spirit - Beach Spring
Here I Am, Lord - Schutte
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name - Gott
Hosea - Weston Priory
How Can I Keep from Singing
How Great Thou Art - Hine
I am the Bread of Life - Toolan
I Have Loved You - Joncas
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say - Kingsford
I Know that My Redeemer Lives - Soper
In Remembrance of Me* - Buryl Red
Irish Blessing* - Stookey
Isaiah 49 - Landry
Jerusalem My Happy Home - Land of Rest
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee - Hymn to Joy
Let There Be Peace on Earth - Miller-Jackson
Like a Child Rests - Walker
Love Goes On - Farrell
Loving and Forgiving - Soper
My Soul Rejoices - Alstott
O God Our Help in Ages Past - Watts
On Eagles' Wings - Joncas
One Bread, One Body - Foley
Only in God - Talbot
Panis Angelicus - Lambilotte
Prayer of St. Francis - Temple
Precious Lord, Take My Hand - Dorsey
Rain Down - Cortez
Rise Up with Him - Vogt
River of Glory - Schutte
Shall We Gather at the River - Hansom Place
Shepherd Me, O God - Haugen
Sing a New Song - Schutte
Sing with All the Saints in Glory - Hymn to Joy
Soon and Very Soon - Crouch
Taste and See - Moore
The King of Love, My Shepherd Is - St. Columba
The Strife is O'er - Palestrina
The Supper of the Lord - Rosania
This Bread that We Share - MacAller
We Walk by Faith - Haugen
Whatsoever You Do - Jabusch
You are Near - Schutte
The General Intercessions (also known as the Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful) provide an opportunity for the congregation to pray intentionally for the deceased and, if desired, for other deceased family members. The Intercessions follow the homily, read by a reader of the family's choice.
Two forms of the prayer are available: A and B. With both, the names of other deceased relatives may be included.
General Intercessions A (for a female)
General Intercessions A (for a male)
General Intercessions B (for a female)
General Intercessions B (for a male)
St. John Chrysostom desires to support all families in their loss.
Every individual is a holy and beloved child of God, regardless of their age or manner of death.
Following are some circumstances and issues of common concern.
Please do not hesitate to speak with us in confidence about your questions, needs or special circumstances.
Cremation
A Funeral Mass may be celebrated with the cremated remains of an individual. However, the Catholic Church “clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites, since the presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in those rites” (Order of Christian Burial). Therefore, families considering cremation are strongly encouraged to have the body of the deceased present at the funeral, followed by cremation and burial in the next several days.
In every circustance, cremated remains should be treated with the same respect accorded the body from which they come.
Children Who Die Before Baptism
A Funeral Mass may always be celebrated for a child who has died, even without baptism.
Non-Catholics
A Funeral Mass may sometimes be celebrated for a person who is not Catholic.
This may happen, for example, when a surviving spouse is Catholic and the deceased spouse practiced no religion.
Victims of Suicide
Death by suicide carries a unique agony for surviving loved ones. We grieve in a special way for families who suffer this profound loss.
Tragically, for centuries, the Catholic Church considered suicide a sin (like murder), deepening the devastation of these families in their loss.
Thankfully, the Church discarded this view many decades ago.
A Funeral Mass and burial in a Catholic cemetery are both completely appropriate in a death by suicide.
We ask God’s tender love and mercy on these victims and their families.