Funeral Arrangements

When your loved one has died, please know that you have our deepest sympathy and that your parish clergy and staff are here to help.

As Christians, we believe that life in the risen Christ undoes even the sting of death. Yet we still mourn, and our mourning calls out for ritual, a liturgy where the paschal death and resurrection of Jesus give death Christian meaning.

The stress brought about by the death of someone very close to us is often amplified by the need for immediate decision making. The presence of family members and close friends is a blessing in these difficult times. Your church community is also ready to help you during this time. Please complete the following steps to make funeral arrangements:

1. Fill out the Funeral Arrangement Form (click here).

2. Contact the church office at 512-892-2420, ext. 335 to discuss funeral arrangements.

There are three principal ritual moments in Christian funerals for Catholics:

Yes, please contact Evelyn Amador, Liturgy Coordinator, at [email protected].

All Catholics can receive the Rite of Christian Burial; if the person was of a different denomination, then the church will have different guidelines.

Yes, their funeral would take place at their geographical* parish or the parish of their next of kin.

*Based off parish boundaries

Though this is a beautiful tradition in various cultures and is encouraged, it is not a requirement.

 

The funeral Mass starts with the family gathered around the casket at the entrance of the church near the baptistery. There we bless the casket with holy water, calling to mind the fact that the deceased died with Christ in baptism and is now on the journey back to God. The casket is then covered with a pall, which is a large cloth that is a reminder of how we received a white garment at baptism symbolizing our baptismal purity and the fact that we are claimed for Christ. 

Family members are invited to take part in placing the pall. The liturgy is identical to a typical weekend Mass, except that at the end, a rite of commendation precedes taking the casket from the church to the place of interment. 

If the Mass is celebrated with cremated remains, the ceremony at the entrance is omitted and the commendation is shortened. This follows the format of a memorial Mass and can be celebrated at any time. 

It is recommended that this take place at the Vigil service the evening before at the funeral home.

 

At St. Catherine's there is no fee for a funeral mass, however, there is a musician and cantor stipend. It is also customary to give a free will donation to the church and/or the celebrant.