• General Information

  
  Funerals with one hour of visitation preceding usually take place at 10:30 am.
  Funerals without the visitation may begin as early as 10:00 am.
  
  If planning a visitation at the church, the visitation takes place in the annex.  Families are encouraged to bring photos to display in the annex. 

  "And it is in dying
  that we're born to Eternal Life"

  

  http://theunboundedspirit.com/death-and-the-eternal-life/

   

  Eulogies:   Though not an official part of the Catholic burial rite, a family member or friend may share a reflection or eulogy at the beginning of mass if arranged in advance with a member of the pastoral staff. If the eulogy is to be at Mass, there must be only one eulogist who is prepared to speak for no more than  3-4 minutes.   [Please remember that delivering a eulogy for a close relative or friend can be an emotional experience.  Reading from a prepared speech or speaking from a written outline is very helpful.] The priest will connect the readings to the deceased in the homily, so  do not feel that a eulogy is necessary.    Appropriate times for sharing reflections are at the vigil the evening before or at the reception afterward .  

   
  Music:  Music is an integral part of the prayer of the funeral celebration.  Because the funeral liturgy is celebrated according to the Catholic tradition and with the Catholic community, special hymnals are used which contain many familiar songs that are appropriate for such celebrations.  For each funeral liturgy, St. Mary of the Lake Church musicians serve as pianist and cantor.  The fees for the musicians are usually handled by the funeral home.  
   
  Guest Singers: A family member or friend may be invited to sing at the funeral liturgy if desired by the family and arranged in advance with the director of music. If the family wishes to have a guest singer, the singer may sing one solo either prior to the beginning of the liturgy or after communion. Because the celebration of the funeral liturgy is a sacred rite of the church, all songs and music must be of a sacred nature. Secular music may be played at the funeral home, graveside or reception.