In planning the events leading to a funeral, it is important to allow time for family and friends of the deceased to gather for prayer and support. A vigil and reception of guests can take place in a funeral home, or at the church itself before a funeral mass. Our security is adequate to keep the body of a deceased loved one in our Church overnight. Scheduled use of the church for other services or events would need to be considered.
The body is greeted by the priest or deacon celebrant at the door of the church with a sprinkling with water from the Baptismal font and the dressing of the coffin with the white pall. The large paschal candle, blessed each year in our Easter vigil, is burning nearby.
As part of a wake, people often gather for a service before the funeral. The family can best determine the manner in which visitation will take place as well as its duration. It is a time for prayer, storytelling, scripture reading, songs, and remembering. A priest, deacon or other pastoral minister can lead all or part of the vigil service. The Rite of Christian Funerals (the official translation of Roman Catholic Prayer texts for the United States) provides prayers, Scripture suggestions and blessings for a Vigil.