Funerals

Condolences

You have the sincere condolences and sympathies of both the priest and the whole parish on the death of your loved one.  The Church herself, with her clergy and people, are here to be with you and pray with you and for you as well as for your beloved who has died.

During this time of loss, remember that your beloved is not really dead, at least not in the sense that we usually think of death -- as some sort of final end of their existence.  While their soul has separated from their body, which leaves the body lifeless (for now), their mind, their free-will, their consciousness (if you will) -- that is to say their soul -- is still very much alive, just as much as they were before they "died."  And...they might still need our help.  This is what we do in the funeral rites, especially the funeral Mass.  We come before our Lord to intercede on their behalf, to ask our Lord to admit them into the Heavenly Kingdom, to seat them at table with our Holy Mother, the Apostles, the angels, and all the saints.  We will make this plea on their behalf with all due reverence and solemnity.

Funeral Liturgy

Please arrange funeral planning with the pastor.  This can often be done right after you meet with the funeral director.  The priest can do as much of this as you like -- all of it if you so desire -- or you can participate in it as much as you like.

For "Wakes," the Holy Rosary is optional but it is a good and holy custom in the Church and still quite common in this area.  The priest will ordinarily also pray "The Vigil for the Deceased," at the Wake, which is a formal liturgy of the Church; it is relatively short -- only about 10-15 minutes.

The visitation/Wake is to be held at the funeral home.  If for some reason that is not feasible, the parish hall (rather than the church) can be made available for visitations.

For the Funeral Mass (or Funeral Rite outside of Mass):

• The Chants of the Roman Missal (aka ICEL Chants) are used for the Mass parts

• Hymns can be selected from the Pew Missal.  These will be supplied by the priest when you meet with him.  If a family desires some other music, please look for suitable times/places for them -- perhaps at the visitation/Wake, or if you like you can sing or play a song at the burial, or even the luncheon.

• Scripture Readings for the Funeral Mass will also be provided by the priest, but if you like, you can look at them here:  *(Funeral Readings)*

Of course memories of our loved ones flood our minds at this time, and rightly so.  Eulogies, fond memories, stories and so forth will not be done at Mass but there is more than ample opportunity for this at other times and places, if you so desire.  The visitation is probably the most opportune (and most frequent) place; after the Wake is probably the most common time.  Before the funeral luncheon is another possibility.  We have had people who have read a eulogy or poem or some other prepared statement right before the luncheon started.  If you'd like to do that, you are most welcome to do so.

Funeral Luncheons

St Peter (Colman)

The ladies of St Peter parish graciously take care of funeral luncheons.  They will serve the luncheons and clean up afterwards, as well as supply salads and desserts.  They will also take care of ordering a main course from County Fair in Dell Rapids.  The menu selection is:

• Scalloped potatoes and ham 

• Tatortot hotdish 

• Lasagna  

• A vegetable can be added to any of the main courses

• Ham sandwich

If a family would like a catered meal -- for example, some have wanted a roast beef dinner -- they are of course most welcome to have that and the ladies will still serve (and provide salads and desserts if so desired).  But the family will have to arrange that catering on their own.

Sts Simon & Jude (Flandreau)

The ladies of Sts Simon & Jude parish graciously take care of funeral luncheons.  They will serve the luncheons and clean up afterwards, as well as supply salads and desserts.  They will also take care of ordering a main course.  The menu selection is:

• Goulash

• Scalloped potatoes and ham 

• Tatortot hotdish 

• Beef or chicken noodle type hotdish

• Ham sandwiches 

Our Lady of Good Counsel (Elkton)

The ladies of Sts Simon & Jude parish graciously take care of funeral luncheons.  They will serve the luncheons and clean up afterwards. They will also take care of ordering a main course.  The menu selection is:

• • • MEAL #1 is scalloped potatoes with cubed ham in it, buns, lettuce salad, a vegetable of choice such as green beans or corn, cake or bars, juice and coffee

    • MEAL #2 is sandwiches with ham, turkey or roast beef (if roast beef is available), chips, a large salad such as potato or macaroni, 2-3 smaller salads such as fruit or jello, cake or bars, juice and coffee

    • MEAL #3 is catered. This the family will have to arrange and the ladies guild will serve it and provide cakes or bars , juice and coffee.

Fridays during Lent

Meat cannot be served on Fridays during Lent.  Tuna casserole as well as tuna and egg salad sandwiches can be ordered for Fridays during Lent.