"We do not want you to be unaware, brothers [and sisters], about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. […] Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words. (I Thessalonians 4:13-14, 17-18)”
If there is a person in your life who has recently departed, the community of St. Pancras extends its deepest condolences to you and your loved ones. Through Christ’s relentless care and mercy, may you be comforted by the outpouring of love surrounding you.
We Christians recognize that by Baptism we are washed free of sin, as well as configured to Christ and incorporated into His Body. This is why, at our deepest reality, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Burying the Dead is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy. We recognize that the communion of Saints is the Church Militant (we who are here on earth), the Church Suffering (those souls in purgatory), and the Church Triumphant.
When a person dies in a state of grace (right relationship with God) they may immediately enter into glory or experience some purgation. At the Mass of Christian burial we the Church here on earth pray for the soul that has passed into new life to assist him/her during the time of preparation for glory. We pray for the deceased but we also pray for those who mourn the passing of a loved one that they may be comforted by our faith in the love and mercy of God.
The Mass of Christian burial (The Funeral Mass or what was formerly the Requiem Mass) is evocative of Baptism. Holy Water is used to sprinkle the coffin, the Pascal candle is lighted, the pall (white cloth) is draped over the coffin. During the Mass incense is used to reverence the body of the deceased as it was a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Typically the Funeral Director will contact the parish to make arrangements for the Funeral Mass. You may be asked to choose from some selected readings for the Mass and some hymns. The loved ones may act as lectors, pallbearers, and gift bearers. Keep in mind: please do not feel pressured to make any selections for your liturgy. We only offer the option to you, if you wish. You may choose as much or as little as you like.
It is important that the family take care to ensure that the remains of the deceased are properly reverenced. This means that remains ought to be interred in a Catholic cemetery with the souls of other believers as a sign of our communion of faith. If the remains are cremated, they ought to be placed in a cemetery niche or columbarium. It is understandable that we might want to keep the cremated remains at home with us because of our love for the deceased. Unfortunately, this practice can lead to great disrespect for the person we love if, because of death, old age, or simply the passage of time, the remains are discarded or misplaced. We need a place that is dignified and permanent to go to pay our respect and offer prayers for the dead.
If you have any questions about this process, we would love to begin assisting you and answering any questions you may have.
Due to the sanctity of the funeral and memorial mass — and due to their great focus on the Paschal Mystery in God's promise of salvation — choice of music and readings become a particularly integral part of the liturgy, and must be carefully chosen in the tradition of the whole Church.
Please do not feel pressured to make any selections. We only offer the option to you, if you wish. You may choose as much or as little as you like.
Should you wish to request hymns/readings for the mass, please fill out the form below (as well as the .zip folder of all corresponding information) and submit to the Rectory at St. Pancras at your soonest availability. The form is available as a downloadable PDF (located here):
Funeral/Memorial Mass Planner PDF
Download .ZIP Folder of Funeral Planning Documents
Send to Paulette Rufano at [email protected]
or by fax... (718) 639-0825
Click “Choosing Readings & Hymns for a Funeral/Memorial Mass” to access our Funeral Planner PDF and a .ZIP folder of all readings from which you may choose.