St. James Bereavement Ministry “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”Matthew 5:4

The Bereavement Ministry at St. James consoles parishioners and family members of parishioners who have suffered the loss of a loved one, by praying with, and, for them, and to be the face of the parish in Christian friendship during this difficult time.  

We hope that the following resources will be useful to you as you plan your loved one's funeral.

Funeral Information

The Catholic Funeral Mass brings hope and consolation to the living. The Funeral Liturgy and the Rite of Committal ultimately serve to root the difficult experience of the death of a loved one in a Christian understanding of life, death, and what happens after death, focusing on both the person who has died and the people who have been left behind.

Funeral Planning

The first step in planning a funeral should be to contact a funeral home. The funeral home will coordinate with the church to plan the date and time and contact the music director. The priest who celebrates the funeral mass will contact the family to set up a meeting with the family and to discuss details of the mass.

Liturgy Booklet

Some families choose to prepare a liturgy booklet to assist those attending the service. These booklets are NOT required. Samples are available in the rectory office, and local printers or copy centers can provide folding and copying services. A template for a liturgy booklet can be downloaded by clicking here.

Resources For Dealing with Grief and Loss

For a list of resources helping with grief and loss, please click here.

Hotels and Reception Venues

For a list of hotels and reception venues located near St. James, please click here.