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Continuing the Journey… Preparing a Catholic Funeral
 The death of a loved one begins a
time of great loss, loneliness, pain, sadness, confusion and
searching. But it is also a time
when the core of all that we believe as Catholics – that new life
comes through death – is remembered and celebrated.
The Christian funeral offers
worship, praise and thanksgiving to God, the creator of all life. It commends the deceased person to
God’s merciful love and affirms the bond between the living and the
dead in the communion of saints. It brings hope and consolation to the
bereaved and celebrates Christ’s Passover and our participation in
it through Christian initiation.
Continuing the Journey… is a planning guide written in
accordance with the Order of Christian Funerals, it is a valuable
resource at the time of the funeral, whether the death was unexpected or
planned for in advance. The
information contained in this booklet comes from many sources. It is designed to ease this time of
loss and transition. It carefully
takes the person through the journey of preparing a Catholic funeral and
the rituals involved. It also has forms to record his or her wishes while
going through the planning process.
Continuing
the Journey…is
an excellent tool for the pastoral staff, lectors, musicians, funeral
directors, cemeterians and bereavement counselors. It assists the many
families who are either pre-planning their own arrangements or those of
their loved ones. Continuing
the Journey…allows those who are grieving, as well as those who
are assisting them, to appreciate the funeral as a journey taken with the
family and parish community.
Continuing the
Journey…Preparing a Catholic Funeral
contains three major segments, bereavement, liturgical and practical
preparations. Topics in the
booklet are “Hospice Care, End of Life Issues, and Advance
Directives”, “Ministry Resources at a Time of Loss”,
“Sacrament of the Sick”, “Preparing a Catholic Cemetery
Arrangement”, “Understanding Catholic Funerals”,
“Scripture Readings for Funerals”, “Suggested Music for
Funerals”, “Practical Preparation”, “Your
Will”, “Social Security”, “Benefits for
Veterans”, “Prepaid Funerals” and “Forms”.
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The booklet has been designed to ensure that
the practical details connected with planning a funeral are explained in
a way that helps all involved make the funeral a fitting celebration of
the special meaning of the deceased person's life.
Available in English or Spanish, obtain a
copy of the booklet by calling (866)
Pre-Plan or by email at OCF@RCAN.ORG.
Catholic Cemeteries offers presentations
about The Order of Christian Funerals in all the parishes. If you are interested, please contact Jorge L. Repollet at the above
number or email.
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