Funerals

If you have not already done so, following the death of your loved one, please call the

church office to speak with a priest or staff member to discuss the funeral arrangements. The time and date of a funeral liturgy can be planned over the phone but will need to be coordinated with the funeral home, parish calendar and priest’s calendar before being published. Once the date and time have been confirmed, the family will meet with a parish priest and/or staff members to plan the details or the liturgy. At the meeting with the family, the Scripture readings and music will be selected and the different ways the family may be involved in the Vigil Service and the Funeral Liturgy will be discussed. If there is a funeral plan on file in the parish office, this information will be reviewed with the family.

1. Vigil → 2. Funeral Liturgy → 3. Committal

1. Vigil

The Vigil for the Deceased is a time for family and friends to gather in prayer, remember their loved one, and support one another in faith. It may include Scripture, prayers, a rosary, music, and words of remembrance.

2. Funeral Liturgy

The Funeral Mass, or Funeral Liturgy Outside Mass, is the central celebration of the Church's funeral rites. Through Scripture, prayer, and—when celebrated—a sharing in the Eucharist, the Church gives thanks for the life of the deceased and places them in God's loving mercy.

3. Committal

The Rite of Committal is the Church's final act of farewell. At the cemetery, mausoleum, or place of interment, family and friends gather to pray as the body or cremated remains are laid to rest, entrusting their loved one to God and expressing hope in the Resurrection.

Family members are encouraged to assist in the selection of the readings and music. This

packet includes a list of recommended scriptures and hymns to assist you. Other scriptures or hymn choices are possible but should be discussed at the planning meeting. All music selected must be from the sacred repertoire and alternative choices should be discussed with the director of music ministry. You will need to select one reading from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament and one Gospel reading. Please also select 3 or 4 hymns and a responsorial psalm to be sung. If you need any assistance in selecting music or would like to discuss involving any outside musician or singer, please contact the director of music ministry.

As the day of the funeral approaches, completing a few final preparations can help the family feel more comfortable and allow everyone to focus on prayer, remembrance, and supporting one another.

Saint Eugene Church will prepare a worship aid for the Funeral Liturgy. This is a standard worship aid. We are unable to provide remembrance card and the like—it is best to speak with the funeral home about this. It is most helpful if the family can provide the parish with an estimate of the number of copies needed.

Families are not required to provide flowers for the church. The casket will be covered

with the pall during the liturgy therefore flowers cannot be placed on top of it. We will be happy to display flowers in the family room and/or gathering space. For liturgies with cremated remains, a small arrangement may be placed on the floor at the foot of the podium on which the urn rests provided that the presider still has sufficient space to walk around it.

Eulogies are not a part of the Catholic Funeral Liturgy and are best expressed at either

the vigil service or during a gathering (luncheon) after the rite of committal. The Order of Christian Funerals & The General Norms for the Celebration of Roman Catholic Funerals in the Diocese of Raleigh (dated May 2008) states that a eulogy is not to be given where the Homily is prescribed (OCF 27 & page 6 no 13). The Vigil for the Deceased is a more fitting time for a eulogy to share remembrances of the deceased. At the vigil multiple eulogies could be shared.

As we support your family during this time, our parish relies on customary offerings to care for our sacred space, offset operating costs, and support the liturgical ministers who serve at the Mass.

• Church                                   $500.00
• Music                                      $200.00
• Cantor                                    $ 75.00

Please note, the Music fee ( $200 ) should be paid directly to the Music Director (or their replacement). 

If the cost is prohibitive, please let the Church Office and our Music Director know and we can make arrangements to reduce or eliminate the fee.

A Sacred Place of Rest and Remembrance

Our parish is pleased to offer parishioners and their families the option of inurnment in our onsite columbarium—a permanent, dignified, and sacred place for the cremated remains of loved ones.

Choosing our parish columbarium provides an opportunity to remain connected to the faith community that has shared life's journey through prayer, worship, and fellowship. It is a place where family and friends may return to pray, remember, and find comfort, while entrusting their loved ones to God's loving care and the hope of the Resurrection.

Planning in advance can also provide peace of mind and lessen the number of difficult decisions family members may face during a time of loss.

A place of rest. A place of prayer. A lasting connection to faith, family, and parish community.

For more information about our onsite columbarium, including availability, inurnment options, and advance planning, please contact 

Sharon Benton at (919) 785-8577 or 

Email: steugenecolumbarium@gmail.com

“Seasons of Hope,” a Catholic grief support ministry that brings together men and women who have experienced the death of a loved one. In a welcoming, respectful space, we reflect on Scripture, share personal stories, and explore how faith can guide us through even the most difficult seasons.

For more information or to register contact:

• Tony Wrobel 252 290-5306 email: tonywrobel240@gmail.com
• Dan Strain 919 801-1973 email: lving4Jesus@aol.com
• Ray Reilly 919 709-8347  email: rmmreilly@aol.com

Gifting in memory of a deceased loved one provides Catholics with a meaningful way to honor their life while continuing the Church's ministry of prayer and remembrance. 

• Mass intentions and All Souls Day remembrances offer spiritual support through prayer.
• A Memorial Placard in the parish Memorial Garden creates a lasting place of remembrance for family, friends, and future generations.
• Altar Flowers in honor of the memory of a loved one bring tranquility and beauty to our Church.

These gifts can become a beautiful expression of faith, love, gratitude, and hope in the Resurrection, while also helping to sustain the parish community that has accompanied our loved ones throughout life's journey.