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• Flowers may be delivered before the “in state” portion of the funeral.

• Florists are not to place flowers on surfaces covered by altar linens. Care should be taken that water is not spilled on altars or floors.

• Plastic or other shields should be set under all  vases.

• No arrangements may be placed on casket, ossuary, communion rails, pillars, main (back) altar, or stands in any of the aisles.

• Do not move any other flowers placed in Church.

The first step to take when planning a funeral liturgy is to consult one of our priests or speak with Theresa Sommer at 313.885.8855 x149.  Additionally, the clergy member who will be conducting the funeral service would like to meet with a family member(s) in advance to discuss special memories or requests of the deceased.

Funerals (casket present) are held Monday through Saturday. Funerals/Memorial Masses (with or without cremated remains present) are held Monday through Friday.
Please note that the date and time will depend on clergy and church availability. 
“In state” is normally held in the Gathering Space, at the back of the church, thirty (30) minutes prior to the Mass or memorial service (e.g., 9:30 am or 11:30 am). 
A vigil is normally held the afternoon or evening before, at a funeral home.

All remains are treated with the same honor. The Church takes very seriously its responsibility to offer corporal works of mercy. The Church still recommends, and prefers, the pious custom of burying the bodies of the faithful, out of respect for the body that has given evidence of God’s spirit enlivening our souls which are destined to be raised on the great Day of Resurrection. Nonetheless, the Church allows cremation as long as it is not an intentional denial of Church’s teachings regarding the Resurrection of the body. Note, however, The Order of Christian Burial is arranged such that cremation of the deceased takes place after the funeral liturgy and not before it. However, when this is not possible, the cremated remains are permitted to be present for the Funeral Liturgy, either the Mass or outside of Mass.

The cremated remains and urn will be placed in our ossuary for the in-state gathering and funeral Mass.

• The Vigil for the Deceased is the official prayer of the Church and should never be omitted. Taking the form of a Liturgy of the Word, the Vigil consists of scripture readings, a brief homily, intercessions and prayers. Its focus is on the Word of God as the family experiences death and their subsequent grief. The Vigil is also an appropriate place for family and friends to offer their own words or stories (eulogy). Additional non-biblical readings or poems may be included in addition to the readings from scripture. Favorite non-liturgical music may also be played. While the Rosary is still a popular devotion, it is not part of, nor is it meant to replace, the Vigil. It may be prayed by the family at any time during visitation hours.
• The center of the OCF is The Liturgy. “At the funeral liturgy the community gathers with the family and friends of the deceased to give praise and thanks to God for Christ’s victory over sin and death, to commend the deceased to God’s tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the paschal mystery." ( OCF 129) The clear focus in the funeral liturgy is not to keep alive the memory of the deceased but rather God’s abiding presence and the wonders of Jesus, in which we participate through our baptism and lives of discipline. Perhaps more than other rite, this liturgy distinguishes our Roman Catholic tradition from other common funeral practices.
• The Rite of Committal brings to conclusion the funeral rites at the grave, tomb, or cremation. These briefs prayers may be led by a priest, deacon, or a lay minister or by a member of the family.

Please email Theresa Sommer, Columbarium and Cemetery Coordinator, or call her at  313.885.8855 x149, for information on niche availability and costs.