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Funerals

Contact:
Parish Office
​parishoffice@stmarysl.org
616- 842-1702
​

Funeral Policy 
The people of St. Mary’s Parish extend their deepest sympathies to you during this time of loss and offer the following support for celebrating a funeral liturgy at St. Mary’s Church.
The Order of Christian Funerals describes the Church’s ministry to the deceased and their family in these words:
At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of Baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end, nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the Funeral Rites with the comforting Word of God and the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Order of Christian Funerals, #4).
Christians celebrate the Funeral Rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just. The Mass, the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral.
The celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living. While proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and witnessing to Christian hope in the resurrection, the Funeral Rites also recall to all who take part in them God’s mercy and judgment and meet the human need to turn always to God in times of crisis.
 
Funeral Liturgy Fees

• Musician: $125.00
• Cantor: $100.00
• Please note: If the family cannot afford to pay these fees, they can be waived.

·         Special Musicians: If a guest Cantor, Soloist, or Musician is requested, the family of the deceased assumes the responsibility of contacting them, engaging them and paying their stipend. Those engaged must agree to work under the direction of the Parish Music Director.
·         Luncheon: St. Mary's has a very active and generous funeral lunch ministry which offers to provide a meal after the funeral if requested. We ask that you try to provide us with a rough estimate of the number of attendees expected so that we can plan accordingly.  We ask that the family only cover the cost of the meat and bread; everything else is donated by parishioners. 
 
A Note about Cremation & Burial:
The Catholic Church permits cremation on the condition that the remains be buried or interred in a mausoleum or columbarium, so that loved ones may go to pray and pay their respects. It is not acceptable to scatter the ashes of a loved one or to keep them at home. The body should be treated with respect whether it is whole or cremated.