The Church teaches us that a funeral has several purposes:

  • It is a celebration of the life of the deceased and the anticipation of their entrance into the fullness of life in heaven.
  • It is an offering of consolation and peace for grieving family members and friends.
  • It is a prayer that the soul of the departed may be cleansed of sin and temporal punishment and be admitted to heaven.
  • If celebrated as a Mass, it is the prayer that Jesus Himself gave us at the Last Supper; it is the ultimate sacrifice, the highest form of worship, and the most effective prayer we can offer for the deceased.

Arranging Funerals and Memorials at St. Patrick Parish is a streamlined process designed to allow family members to select appropriate readings and music and arrange all of the details that will take place in accordance with Christian burial or interment. See below for a list of guidelines. For more information about St. Patrick Cemetery, please click here.

Readings for Funerals

First Reading- Old Testament

Second Reading- New Testament

Song Selections

Helpful Documents

Diocese of Joliet Planning Guide

Funeral Planning Guidelines

The funeral liturgy has an integral nature, which even the priest or deacon cannot change. However, many options are available, so we encourage families to prayerfully select the readings, music, and roles that best represent the deceased and provide comfort to mourners.

In accordance with the Church’s liturgical guidelines, the following points should be taken into account:

  • Wake: The wake takes place at the Funeral Home and not at the church.
  • Preferred Priest/Deacon: If you have a preferred priest or deacon, please inform the office staff when you call to arrange the funeral. However, due to the many demands on our ministers, please understand that the preferred priest or deacon may not be available.
  • Lectors/Readers: You are welcome to invite any Catholic friends or family members to do one or more of the following: the First Reading, the Second Reading, and the Prayers of the Faithful. If a Catholic friend or family member is unavailable (or uncomfortable), please let us know; we can either ask a parishioner or, if necessary, the priest or deacon. Please see this link from the USCCB for more information about Non-Catholic readers at a Funeral Mass.
  • Gift-Bearers: Closest family members or friends (2-3) usually bring up the “gifts” (the bread and wine which will become the Body and Blood of Christ. This represents the offering of the family on behalf of the deceased). Those bringing up the gifts do not have to be Catholic. The funeral director will instruct them when they should come to the back of the church to begin the procession with the gifts. However, if no one is comfortable doing this, the funeral coordinator can pick a volunteer or do it herself.
  • Dress: Please inform guests to dress appropriately for being in a church.
  • No food or drink (including gum) is permitted in the church.
  • Reverence: While you are in the church, please show reverence for the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, as follows:
    • Before and after the liturgy, it is customary to genuflect when entering and exiting pews.
    • During the liturgy, when readers approach the altar, before ascending the steps, they should bow toward the altar. Similarly, after the reading, after they descend the steps, they should turn and bow toward the altar and then return to their pew.
  • Eulogies: We welcome the sharing of personal stories (eulogies) at either the wake or the funeral luncheon.

If you would like to arrange a funeral for your loved one, or prearrange a funeral for yourself,
please contact the Parish Office:

Phone: 630-553-6671
Email: info@stpatrickyorkville.org