Funerals & Inurnments
-
-
From Fr. Jim (May 28, 2023)
Things Above from Fr. Bilot
“And they turned to supplication, praying that the sin that had been committed might be wholly blotted out . . . In doing this he acted very well and honorably, taking account of the resurrection. For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore, he made atonement for the dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin.” 2 Maccabees 12:42-46
The Catholic Church has always taught how important and efficacious it is to pray for the dead. Judas Maccabaeus was a Jewish priest and landowner, who in 167 BC defied the decree of Antiochus IV to Hellenize the Jews. Thus a battle ensued which he won. Sadly, after the battle he found stolen idolatrous charms on the corpses of Jewish warriors slain on the battlefield. He (Judas) therefore offered prayers and an expiratory sacrifice for those warriors who had died in the state of sin.
The Catholic Church also extols those who have died in the grace of God. We pray that they are one with Jesus in heaven and that any fault or failure is wiped away. Thus praying for the dead is a noble endeavor.
St. Paul Parish is blessed to have not only a very old cemetery but also a columbarium where cremated remains are inurned. The columbarium originated in the late 1970’s and has been expanded at least seven times over the past 50 years. We will now complete the last phase of a two phased project (halted because of Covid). With this expansion, a second tierwill be constructed in the twelve rectangular gardens, allowing us to have 852 more niches. This will be the final addition to the columbarium. When these niches are purchased there will no longer be available space at the columbarium.
Construction will commence after Memorial Day with completion in late October. We were able to work with the contractors to close only half of the columbarium at a time. This is good news! We will start by closing the east end. At a midpoint (probably late July/early August) the entire columbarium will be closed. Then the east end will open and the west end will close until the completion of the project.
I realize this will cause hardship for those who wish to visit their loved one to offer prayers and spend quiet time. I ask that we pray that there are no issues during the construction so it will open as soon as possible. I ask for your patience and support during the construction.
In addition, the Building Committee decided to construct a walkway off the Gathering Space sidewalk that cuts through the lawn, creating better access to the columbarium. The new walkway will eliminate the need for the sidewalk in front of the rectory. The driveway of the rectory will be reconfigured to flow better with the new design.
In the end, as now, the columbarium will look beautiful and help us to minister to St. Paul parishioners who desire to be inurned here at the parish. Information regarding the sale of new niches will be forthcoming. The details are still being finalized. The cost of the project is funded through the sale of the niches and the specific accounts set aside for the cemetery/columbarium. The project was approved through the Archdiocese.
Blessings,
Fr. Jim Bilot
-
Please note: On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, construction work will begin on Phase 2 of the Columbarium Expansion. Sections of the Columbarium will be temporarily closed as the work continues.
-
The sadness of death should give way in our liturgy to the promise of resurrected life. Our celebration of a person’s life should reflect our conviction that in Jesus Christ we have life beyond life.
St. Paul on the Lake offers its parishioners and friends the complete rites as a means of consolation for the living and grace-filled assistance for the deceased. These rites, which may include a funeral Mass, memorial, and the possibility of a vigil in a funeral home, are most properly celebrated in the parish church of the deceased, in the presence of their faith community.
Please email Theresa Sommer, Columbarium and Cemetery Coordinator, or call her at 313.885.8855 x149, to schedule a funeral, memorial mass, or committal in the cemetery or columbarium.
-
-
Funeral Masses
-
Frequently Asked Questions
-
-
-
- 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 Order of Christian Funerals (OFC) consists of a number of rituals divided into three key times of prayer for families.
- 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.
-
-
-
The cremated remains must always be treated with respect, the same respect we attribute to the body. After the funeral they are to be interred or entombed, preferably in a Catholic cemetery, mausoleum, or columbarium. The Rite of Committal should accompany this action. They should never be separated or scattered or disposed in any way other than a dignified interment or entombment.
-
-
-
A eulogy is not allowed during the Funeral Liturgy. Family and friends may be invited to share such a testimony at the Vigil or at the memorial luncheon or reception that often follows the funeral.
-
-
-
Music is integral to the Funeral rites. It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that word alone may fail to convey. It has the power to console and uplift the mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith and love. The texts of the songs chosen for a particular celebration should express the paschal mystery of the Lord’s suffering, death and triumph over death and should be related to the readings from Scripture. Popular non-liturgical songs are not be used in the Funeral Liturgy.
-
-
-
Please click here to download a pamphlet regarding the Directives for Catholic Funerals, published by the Ardiocese of Detroit.
-
-
-
Please email Theresa Sommer, Columbarium and Cemetery Coordinator, or call her at 313.885.8855 x149, for information on niche availability and costs.
-
-