General Information
Funerals are scheduled to be held
on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and
Fridays.
We do not schedule funerals out more than 7-10 days.
Funerals usually take place at 10:30 am.
Visitation may begin as early as 9:30 am.
We work most frequently with these area funeral homes:
Gearty Delmore 763-553-1411 (Plymouth)
763-537-4511 (Robbinsdale)
www.gearty-delmore.com
David Lee 952-473-5577 (Wayzata)
www.davidleefuneralhome.com
"And it is in dying
that we're born to Eternal Life"
http://theunboundedspirit.com/death-and-the-eternal-life/
Eulogies: Appropriate times for sharing reflections are at the vigil the evening before or at the reception afterward. The vigil service and the reception are appropriate times to share stories and favorite poetry to help family grieve their loss and celebrate their loved one's life in a more personalized manner. Eulogies are not permitted within the Funeral Mass.
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 prior to the beginning of the liturgy. 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.
The Funeral Director (Funeral Home or Mortuary)
The standard procedure for planning a funeral is that a funeral director (funeral home or mortuary) works with parish staff to establish the details of the visitation, the funeral liturgy, the luncheon, and the interment. Funeral directors are very helpful to the parish in that they arrange for the times of the events, assist in setting up for the visitation at the parish, and help the family in coordinating the luncheon and the interment. They also provide valuable assistance with easels and tables for pictures and memory displays, guest books, and flow of guests. Normally the procedure is that, after news of death, the funeral home is contacted first. The funeral home will then contact the parish to determine possible times and dates for a funeral liturgy. The family will meet with the funeral director and confirm the date and time. Family members should then contact the parish to arrange for a meeting with the pastoral minister.
If the family of the deceased is not using a funeral home/director with the funeral arrangements, the parish will work to accommodate the family. Staff members and volunteers will carry out the services normally done by a funeral director or mortuary, including: arranging for the visitation, setting up for the funeral liturgy, and assisting with any memorabilia, and other items desired for the visitation or funeral. Due to resources required to provide these services, the cost for a funeral without a funeral director is higher than the cost for a funeral with a funeral director. There is an additional $500 fee when a funeral home is not present for the funeral.