Remembrance

GUIDELINES FOR FAITH-FOCUSED WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE

The Funeral Mass is, first and foremost, an act of worship — a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s gift of eternal life and for the life of the person we loved. It celebrates our faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and fills us with the hope of our own resurrection.

It is important to note that words of remembrance are not required; in fact, they are not a formal part of the Mass, so no family should feel pressured to include one.

If you decide to offer words of remembrance, you may choose one person, either a family member or a close friend, to reflect briefly and prayerfully on how the deceased lived their faith and shared God’s love in daily life.

The reflection should be 3–5 minutes in length and should express faith, gratitude, and hope, rather than provide a full biography or testimonial. Longer memories or lists of accomplishments are better shared at the wake, cemetery, or reception.

We kindly ask all who offer words of remembrance to adhere to these guidelines so that the focus of the liturgy remains on Christ’s promise of eternal life. Here are some guiding questions to help as you prepare your reflection:

How did your loved one live out their faith?

•  What did prayer, worship, or service mean to them?

•  How did they show kindness, forgiveness, or compassion in their life?

How did they express love and service to others?

•  How did they share Christ’s love with family, friends, or their community?

•  In what ways did they put others before themselves?

What faith-filled lessons did they leave you?

•  What values, sayings, or examples from their life continue to guide you?

•  How did their witness deepen your own faith?

•  Did they attend Mass regularly or participate in parish life?

How did they find strength or hope in God during difficult times?

•  Was there a particular way they showed courage, patience, or trust in God?

How does their life point us toward God’s love and eternal promise?

•  What do you hope others remember about their faith and spirit?

•  How does their life remind us of the hope of resurrection and reunion in Christ?

Tips for Faith-focused Reflections:

Keep the focus on faith, gratitude, and hope.

Speak from the heart but center your reflection on God’s

presence in your loved one’s life.

Avoid lengthy biographical details — instead, share one or two moments that illustrate their faith in action.

Conclude with a simple, comforting expression of faith such as:

“We trust that God has welcomed [Name] home into eternal

peace.”

The words of remembrance must be submitted in writing to the pastor at least one day prior to the funeral Mass. Thank you for your cooperation and adherence to these guidelines.