At funerals, the Church confidently celebrates Christ’s paschal mystery. It is our intention that those who were made one with Christ at baptism may with him pass from death to life. The Church, therefore, offers the Eucharistic sacrifice of Christ’s Passover for the dead and pours forth prayers and petitions for them. Because of the communion of all Christ’s members with each other, all of this brings spiritual aid to the dead and the consolation of hope to the living.
The Order of Christian Funerals of the Catholic Church is divided into three groups of rites.
- The Vigil and Related Rites and Prayers
- The Funeral Liturgy
- The Rite of Committal
At every funeral, the Church celebrates Christ’s Paschal Mystery with confidence and hope. We believe that those joined to Christ in baptism now journey with Him from death into eternal life. In the Funeral Mass, the Church offers the Eucharistic sacrifice and prays lovingly for the one who has died. Funeral liturgies are typically offered at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM.
Scheduling a Funeral through a Funeral Home – At the time of death, arrangements are made through the Funeral Home Director. The Funeral Home Director contacts St. Michael Parish to arrange the day and time for the funeral.
Scheduling a Funeral through the Parish Directly – Should no funeral director be involved, the family is welcome to contact St. Michael Parish for the arrangements at 708-349-0903 or funerals@saintmike.com. After hours and on the weekends, your communication will be answered by Parish Staff as soon as possible.
Impending Deaths – For an impending death, pre-arrangements may be made with St. Michael Parish by contacting the Parish Office at 708-349-0903 or funerals@saintmike.com.
Memorial Liturgy – To arrange a Memorial Liturgy, please contact the Parish Office at 708-349-0903 or funerals@saintmike.com.
Cremation Questions – Please see the PDF document below from the Archdiocese of Chicago that answers many questions regarding cremations.
Vatican Instructions on the Care of Cremated Remains (PDF)
Words of Remembrance – May be offered after Communion for (3-4 minutes). Only one family member or friend may be chosen to speak on behalf of all.
Livestreaming – At an additional reduced price of $250, St. Michael Church is able to offer live streaming at your request. After the mass, you will receive a flash drive of the mass, and the internet link will be available to watch as long as you like.
Funeral Planning Form – The online form below will guide you through submitting the information necessary to prepare your loved one’s funeral. Also, you will be able to print a complete Funeral Planning Packet if you prefer to deliver the information in person to the Parish Office.
Submitting Funeral Arrangements
As you make all the preparations for the funeral, we at Saint Michael Parish are here to help and assist you in planning the Mass of Christian Burial. Know that the family of Saint Michael Parish grieves with you for your loss, and we are here to help you in this time of need.
Submitting funeral plans online allows you to record your wishes or arrange services for a loved one at your own pace from home and at your convenience, often reducing stress during difficult times. Many Catholic Parishes offer online forms that cover personal information, service preferences, and biographical data to guide you through the process step-by-step.
Before you submit your information online or using a hard copy form, please read the following Funeral Liturgical Guidelines. Then, you will be able to submit the funeral information online or by printing a Funeral Planning Packet at the bottom of the guidelines below!
Funeral Liturgical Guidelines at St. Michael Parish
READINGS
- The First Reading is from the Old Testament and the Second Reading is from the New Testament. Please refer to the reading selection files below and choose one of each when you are submitting the information online. You may choose a reader for each of these.
- There is always a psalm sung between the Old and New Testament readings. Please refer to the music selection file below to choose the respective Responsorial Psalm when you are submitting the information online.
- The priest usually chooses the Gospel (from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) and the Gospel is always proclaimed by the priest or deacon.
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL (PETITIONS)
- These may be read as written by a family member or friend or can be read by the priest. If you wish to write personal ones, please send your petitions to the parish before the funeral. Please limit the total number of petitions to six. You will be able to submit them online.
READERS
- We ask that you give a copy of the readings and petitions to those who will be reading them, so that they may practice before coming to church. There is no time to practice at church before the funeral.
- We will have copies of the Old and New Testament readings and the Prayers of the faithful at the ambo (lectern to the left of the altar). The priest will tell them when to come up to read.
PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS (OFFERTORY)
- The family can choose who they want to bring up the gifts. As a norm, family members are usually chosen, but you may ask whomever you want.
ALTAR SERVERS
- Currently, all priests are handling the server duties, so altar servers are not needed.
MUSIC
- Only liturgical music is permitted at a funeral liturgy. See suggestions for music selection in the file below. You will be asked of your liturgical music choices when submitting the information online.
- Our Music Director must approve all music choices not on the list provided, even if outside musicians are retained.
- If you would like to add the beauty of the Flute or Violin or Oboe, or anything at all to enhance the Liturgy, we have that available to you. Extra musicians are $225 each, but they add so much beauty and elegance to the Mass.
- Regarding a singer for the Mass (which IS included in the fees), Gary Patin, Director of Music, is available to sing by himself if you wish; however, our Parish could provide one from a list of many fine cantors that could be the soloist, whichever your preference is.
- Please call or text Gary Patin at 773-230-2602 for more information or to arrange for another musician. Bringing in your own outside musicians is okay as well.
Liturgical Music Choices (PDF)
HOMILY
- To help the priest prepare a personal and meaningful homily, we ask you to provide some background information about the deceased during this process. You will be able to submit the information online.
EULOGIES / WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE
- The Catholic funeral ritual designates the wake as the most appropriate time to honor the deceased’s life in the form of a lengthy eulogy that glorifies the person.
- The primary focus of a Funeral Mass is the Paschal Mystery; Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, and what that means for the deceased and for us.
- Brief Words of Remembrance (3-4 minutes) may be offered after Communion. Only one family member or friend may be chosen to speak on behalf of all. Longer reflections or multiple speakers diminish the focus of the funeral liturgy and are not permitted. Any Words of Remembrance delivered within the context of the funeral liturgy (Mass) should be delivered from a prepared written text to ensure the message is communicated clearly and does not become repetitive.
LIVESTREAMING
- At a reduced additional price of $250, St. Michael Church is able to offer live streaming at your request. After the mass, you will receive a flash drive of the mass, and the internet link will be available to watch as long as you like.
SUBMITTNG THE FUNERAL PLANNING ONLINE
Information asked on the Funeral Planning Form linked below:
- List the name of the deceased and the day, date, and time of the Funeral.
- List the name, address, and phone number of the Funeral Home and Cemetery.
- List the type of Funeral Mass and/or Service.
- List the name, email address, and phone number of the person who will be the contact person between the family of the deceased and St. Michael.
- Fill in your Old Testament (First Reading) and New Testament (Second Reading) scripture choices. Pick from the “Readings” files linked above.
- Fill in the names of people who will be reading the two scriptures. If you prefer, our sacristan may read the scriptures.
- Fill in your music choices. Suggestions are listed on the “Music Choices” file linked above.
- Tell us about your Loved One. To help the priest prepare a personal and meaningful homily, we ask you to provide some background information about the deceased during this process.
- Complete in the Prayers of the Faithful or Petitions that will be used, unless you choose to type your own. Fill in names and relationships that fit your family situation.
Fill and Submit the Funeral Planning Form Online
SUBMITTNG THE FUNERAL PLANNING USING A HARD COPY FORM
PREFER TO PRINT A PLANNING FUNERAL FORM INSTEAD OF SUBMITTING IT ONLINE? – If you prefer to print a PDF form rather than submitting it online, you could print the following Funeral Planning Packet, fill out pages 1-4, and deliver it to the parish office in person or by emailing it to us.