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Preparing for a funeral.<\/h2>\n\n

A funeral is a time of sadness and mourning.\nBut for Christians it is also a time to rejoice, for Jesus Christ has won a\ngreat victory over death and made it possible for us to pass through to new and\neternal life. This is our unwavering hope.<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

In a Catholic funeral we pray that our deceased brother\nor sister be admitted into paradise. We also derive strength from family and\nfriends and lend our support to others in what can be a very difficult time.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

We hope that you find this information of some help when\narranging the funeral of your loved one.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>


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Music 
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One of the first decisions to make is if you would like music at the funeral.\nIt is the responsibility of the family to contact an organist and singer\n\/choir. Try to do this as soon as possible.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>


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Hymns<\/span><\/p>

The organist will help you choose your preferred hymns. There are normally 5\nhymns chosen for the Mass – Entrance, Offertory, Communion, Communion\nReflection and Recessional. The Responsorial Psalm may also be sung.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

It is important to remember that the funeral Mass is a\nsacred ceremony and therefore non-liturgical ‘songs’ are not appropriate. Organ\nmusic can provide a quiet and prayerful atmosphere at the beginning of the\nservice, when mourners are likely to be upset and in need of a calming\natmosphere.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>


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Readings<\/span><\/p>

We encourage family members and friends to take part in the Liturgy of the Word\nby reading the First Reading, the Responsorial Psalm (if not sung), the Second\nReading, Gospel Acclamation and Prayers of the Faithful. A selection of\nreadings and Prayers of the Faithful are provided in this booklet. 
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\nThe First Reading is always taken from the Old Testament and the Second Reading\nfrom the New Testament. We encourage those who are reading to make themselves\nfamiliar with the text and have no problems with pronunciation.
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\nWe are not able to include other readings, such as poetry, at Mass.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>


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Prayers of the Faithful<\/span><\/p>

The Prayers of the Faithful are always introduced by the priest. Four or five\nprayers, read by family members or friends, then follow. One or more people may\nread these. The priest concludes the Prayers of the Faithful.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>


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Offertory Procession
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Family members or friends bring the gifts for the Offertory of the Mass to the\naltar. Normally, four gifts are brought – the chalice, the altar bread, the\nwater and the wine, but it may be reduced to two if you so wish.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>


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If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to\ncontact us.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

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