Funerals

To bury the dead is a corporal work of mercy.  We are very pleased to hold a Mass of Christian Burial for your loved ones.  All funerals must be booked through the funeral home. Although not necessary, the family may take part in planning the funeral.

You may also have a Requiem Mass in the Extraordinary Form. For information about this, click here.

Holy Ghost Funeral Funeral Policies:

  • Readings: The family of the deceased may choose two readings for the Mass; one from the Old Testament and the second from the New Testament. (The priest will read if a parish reader is unavailable).
  • Music: Funeral music at Holy Ghost is standard. If the family has a request, they may choose from our list of approved hymns (below). Please contact the parish music director or the parish office with your requests in advance. Song requests do not have to be honored!
  • Pall & Gifts: The family should assist in placing the pall on the casket at the door of the church. To avoid any danger of transmitting Covid, the Flu or other illnesses, we have eliminated bring up the gifts during the offertory.
  • Eulogies: Eulogies are not permitted during the Funeral Mass. The Order Christian Funerals affirms the long-standing prohibition of eulogies at Catholic funerals: “A brief homily based on the readings should always be given at the funeral liturgy, but never any kind of eulogy.” If you wish to have a eulogy, it may be done in the funeral home during the calling hours, or at the cemetery following the prayers.
  • Flowers: Flowers are a gift to the Lord that beautify the sanctuary, remind us of the resurrection of Christ, and give glory to God.  If you would like to bring flowers into the church for the funeral, they are a gift to the Lord and should not be removed after. We will provide pedestals on which to place the flowers on the sides of the altar.  Flowers are never placed in front of the altar so as to provide free access during the Liturgy. During the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent they may not be brought into the church.
  • Cremation: The Catholic Church permits cremation for practical purposes. However, it is with the understanding that the cremains will be interred in a cemetery. The practice of scattering the ashes, creating jewelry from the ashes or keeping them at home is not permitted. To book a funeral at Holy Ghost, we must be assured of a place and date of burial.
  • Visiting Priests: If a priest would like to  concelebrate the Mass, he must provide a letter of good standing (celebret) from his Bishop or Religious Superior, as required by the Diocese of Providence. Priests who do not have this documentation may not concelebrate. Priests who are permitted to celebrate Mass at Holy Ghost, must follow the proper Liturgical law and parish policies.
  • These policies hold firm, regardless of the celebrant!

You may download our Funeral Preparation Guide here.

The Readings

The Mass of Christian Burial usually consists of two readings, one from the Old Testament and the second from the New Testament.   This booklet contains all the readings approved for a Catholic Funeral.   The priest will choose the Gospel.   Other readings may not be substituted for the ones in this booklet.

The first reading

  • Outside the Easter Season is taken from the Old Testament (Section 1011/1 – 1011/7),
  • During the Easter Season thru to Pentecost, the first reading is taken from Section 1012/1 – 1012/4.

The second reading is taken from the New Testament (Section 1014/1 – 1014/15).

Please fax or eMail us your choice of readings the day before so that the priest can prepare the readings and we can place a copy of the readings on the pulpit the morning of the funeral.

If we can be of any assistance in your time of sorrow, please do not hesitate to contact the parish office. Our Woman’s Guild would also be happy to assist with your needs. Please know that you and your loved ones will remain in our prayers. May our Lord give you His strength and consolation in this time of sadness.

Also see: “Let’s Bury The Eulogies” By Bishop Thomas J. Tobin

Music for the Funeral Mass

( Some hymns will appear several times, since they are appropriate for different parts of the Mass.)

Entrance Chant:

  • Requiem Aeternam (Eternal rest grant unto them…)

Responsorial Psalm: (May not be replaced with a hymn)

  • The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
  • The Lord is Kind and merciful.

Offertory Hymn:

  • Ave Maria
  • Be Thou My Vision
  • I Heard the Voice of Jesus
  • I Sought the Lord
  • My Soul is Longing for Your Peace
  • O Breath on Me, O Breath of God
  • The King of Love My Shepherd Is
  • When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Only Lent)
  • Where Charity and Love Prevail
  • Yes, I Shall Arise

Communion Hymn:

  • Adoro Te Devote
  • Ave Verum Corpus (chant)
  • Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (not during the Lent)
  • Be Thou My Vision
  • I Heard the Voice of Jesus
  • Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All
  • Lux Aeterna
  • O Food of Exiles Lowly
  • O Lord I Am Not Worthy
  • O Sacrament Most Holy
  • Panis Angelicus
  • Shepherd of Souls
  • When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Only Lent)

Final Commendation:

  • In Paradisum (May the angles lead you…)

Recessional Hymn:

  • Alleluia!  Sing to Jesus (not during Lent)
  • Be Thou My Vision
  • For All the Saints
  • Lord of All Hopefulness
  • O God Beyond All Praising
  • O God Our Help in Ages Past
  • The Strife is O’er (during Eastertide)
  • Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones (not during Lent)

For further assistance, please contact the Holy Ghost Music Director. You may obtain her contact information by calling the parish office.