The Church celebrates life, both earthly and eternal. Our goal is to do our best to assist you and your loved ones to celebrate the deceased person’s faith in Jesus Christ.

Having a Funeral for a person of the Catholic Faith:
The process involved in celebrating the life of a person of the Catholic faith usually involves two elements, a Mass and a Wake. It is important to keep in mind the purpose of the Mass and the Wake.

The Wake is a time of prayer that focuses on praying for and grieving the deceased. It should include prayer and Scripture readings. This is also a good time for people to give eulogies and share memories of the deceased. Funeral homes can assist with audio-visual presentations and displays of pictures and mementos.

A Funeral Mass is a celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist for the deceased; it is worship, not a personal, private event. At the Mass the whole Church, those living on earth and in heaven, unite in prayer to celebrate and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord of the living and the dead. Within the last few years more and more people have asked for a Mass but then wanted it transformed into a personalized social event. This is inappropriate and misguided. That is why eulogies are not allowed at a Funeral Mass at St. Michael but are welcome at the wake service. The Wake is focused on mourning the individual deceased; the Mass is focused on praying for the deceased and all the living and the dead.