Important Funeral Planning Considerations
Practice:
Have all family or friends who are participating in the Mass be present one hour before the funeral Mass to practice your part in the Mass.
Eulogy: (optional) Many families choose not to include a eulogy. For most families this is the best choice. If your family would like to designate one person to deliver a eulogy, it should be short (3-5 minutes) and written down (so that another might read your reflection if you are unable to do so).
The person giving the eulogy will be invited to speak by the priest at the beginning of Mass. They stop before the steps to reverence the tabernacle and proceed to the lectern. Turn on the microphone (up is On). When you are finished, turn off the microphone.
If the family would like additional remembrances, we will gladly set up a microphone for the luncheon reception for this purpose.
Placing the Pall: The Pall is a white cloth which covers the casket. It is a reminder of our baptism and is placed on the casket at the beginning of the funeral liturgy. The funeral home will place the folded pall on the casket, the family then unfolds and drapes the pall over the casket.
Reading the Old Testament Scripture: (1) Immediately after the entrance procession, the priest will stand next to the altar and pray. When the priest says Amen, the first reader comes to the lectern. The reader stops before the steps to reverence the tabernacle (bow before walking up the steps) and proceed to the lectern. Turn on the microphone (up is ON); the book at the lectern will have a copy of your reading inside it. When finished, turn off the microphone and turn the page for the next reader!
Reading the New Testament Scripture: (1) Immediately after the first reading, the congregation will sing a psalm. When the organ plays the last note of the psalm, the second reader should proceed to the lectern. The reader stops before the steps to reverence the tabernacle and proceed to the lectern. Turn on the microphone (up is ON); the book at the lectern will have a copy of your reading inside it. When finished turn off the microphone and turn the page for the next reader!
Reading the Prayers and Intentions: (1+) After the priest has given the homily, we read the intentions. After the homily, the priest will stand by the altar and invite us to prayer. The reader stops before the steps to reverence the tabernacle and proceed to the lectern. Turn on the microphone (up is ON); the book at the lectern will have a copy of your reading inside it. When you are finished, turn off the microphone. Stand by the lectern until the priest says AMEN, then return to your seat. The prayers are most often read by one person, but may be shared by 1-3 family members.
Bringing up the gifts before Communion: (2+) The gifts are brought up by at least 2 people, but may include as many as the family chooses. Often, all the grandchildren bring up the gifts. The gift bearers walk to the back of the church when the person reading the prayers and intentions walks to the lectern.
Serving as a Eucharistic Minister: (1+) If a friend of family member serves as a Eucharistic Minister in their community, they may assist at the funeral. We will provide a Eucharistic Minister if the family does not have someone they would like to invite. The Eucharistic Minister(s) come and stand behind the altar at the Lamb of God. The cup bearers stand at the corner of the steps to serve. After the last person has received communion, the bread and wine should be taken to the altar.
Burial: Normally, we proceed to the cemetery following the funeral Mass and funeral luncheon. Your funeral home will arrange a burial time.
Pall Bearers: (6-8) Your funeral home will work with your pall bearers. The cross bearer cannot also be a pall bearer.
A Note on Cremated Remains: Cremated remains will be placed next to the baptismal font. A friend or family member should be chosen to process with the cremated remains. They will follow the priest into the sanctuary and out of the sanctuary.
The Church encourages burial of the cremated remains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who to Call:
After the death of a loved one, call the parish office at (507) 234-6244 and ask to speak to the priest to set a time and date for the funeral. You will also need to schedule a funeral planning time. Once the funeral time and date is determined, your funeral home will help you place the obituary.
Choosing a Time and Date for the Funeral:
Most often, funerals at one of the cluster parishes are Monday-Friday at 11am with a 10am visitation prior to the funeral and a luncheon at non following the funeral. Saturday or evening funerals are less common due to the scheduling constraints of the building.
Costs:
Funeral Hospitality Meal: per person = $7.00
Meal fees for a reception following the funeral liturgy includes the use of reception space, the use of the kitchens at the parishes, service of the hospitality coordinator, and help provided by our volunteer hospitality team. Our plate fee includes either: a funeral luncheon, dinner, or coffee and dessert reception to be determined by our funeral hospitality coordinator in conjunction with the family based on expected funeral attendance, time of day and availability of space. Hospitality is only available after a funeral service. No hospitality can be offered for visitations.
Other Fees:
Building use for visitations and funeral: $150.00
Musicians: Organ/piano: $200.00
Cantor: $150.00
Clergy: $200.00
What to Bring to the Funeral Planning:
If you would like a picture of your loved one on the cover of the worship aid, please bring it with you to the planning. A black and white or color picture with good resolution will reproduce the best.
Photos and Memorabilia – Memory Table:
Families may bring pictures of the deceased and display them in the back of the church from the vigil until after the funeral reception. Pictures may be mounted on foam core and displayed on easels, or photos albums and framed pictures may be placed on banquet tables. A special framed photo of the deceased may be placed on the center table in the back of the church along with the guest registry book.
Flowers:
Flowers should be delivered to the Parish Office one hour prior to the vigil so the funeral home has time to arrange the flowers in the sanctuary. As an example, for an 11am funeral with a 10am vigil, flowers should arrive by 9am. If flowers were delivered to the funeral home (for a wake), the funeral home will bring the flowers to church prior to the funeral.
After the funeral, let your funeral home know if you would like flowers taken to the cemetery. Any remaining flowers can be taken home or designated for the Saint Ann Adoration Chapel or the church.
Memorial Opportunities:
Families often designate an organization or charity significant to their loved one as a way of remembrance. If your family has a special organization you would like to designate for memorial contributions in your loved one’s name, please let your funeral home know this so that the obituary can indicate your preferences. This is often done “in lieu of flowers”. It is helpful to provide the name and address of the organization for the obituary so that friends and family may be assured their memorial gifts are received by the intended organization.
A memorial fund may be established at Saint Ann Church in honor of your loved one. At Saint Ann Church, memorial funds have been used to purchase meaningful gifts of a generally permanent nature that add life to the church community. Many of these gifts are beyond the reach of the regular church budget.
Many families also request Mass be said for their loved one. Our church secretary can assist you in scheduling dates for Masses. Many families choose Masses on birthdays, anniversaries or other significant dates.
Contact Names and Numbers:
Planning a funeral is difficult. You may find your thoughts are more scattered and you might forget to mention significant details at the planning meeting. Call us with any questions. We’re here to help.
Fr. Robert Schneider…………………….507-234-6244
Christine Kunz, Secretary……………507-234-6244
[email protected]
Have all family or friends who are participating in the Mass be present one hour before the funeral Mass to practice your part in the Mass.
Eulogy: (optional) Many families choose not to include a eulogy. For most families this is the best choice. If your family would like to designate one person to deliver a eulogy, it should be short (3-5 minutes) and written down (so that another might read your reflection if you are unable to do so).
The person giving the eulogy will be invited to speak by the priest at the beginning of Mass. They stop before the steps to reverence the tabernacle and proceed to the lectern. Turn on the microphone (up is On). When you are finished, turn off the microphone.
If the family would like additional remembrances, we will gladly set up a microphone for the luncheon reception for this purpose.
Placing the Pall: The Pall is a white cloth which covers the casket. It is a reminder of our baptism and is placed on the casket at the beginning of the funeral liturgy. The funeral home will place the folded pall on the casket, the family then unfolds and drapes the pall over the casket.
Reading the Old Testament Scripture: (1) Immediately after the entrance procession, the priest will stand next to the altar and pray. When the priest says Amen, the first reader comes to the lectern. The reader stops before the steps to reverence the tabernacle (bow before walking up the steps) and proceed to the lectern. Turn on the microphone (up is ON); the book at the lectern will have a copy of your reading inside it. When finished, turn off the microphone and turn the page for the next reader!
Reading the New Testament Scripture: (1) Immediately after the first reading, the congregation will sing a psalm. When the organ plays the last note of the psalm, the second reader should proceed to the lectern. The reader stops before the steps to reverence the tabernacle and proceed to the lectern. Turn on the microphone (up is ON); the book at the lectern will have a copy of your reading inside it. When finished turn off the microphone and turn the page for the next reader!
Reading the Prayers and Intentions: (1+) After the priest has given the homily, we read the intentions. After the homily, the priest will stand by the altar and invite us to prayer. The reader stops before the steps to reverence the tabernacle and proceed to the lectern. Turn on the microphone (up is ON); the book at the lectern will have a copy of your reading inside it. When you are finished, turn off the microphone. Stand by the lectern until the priest says AMEN, then return to your seat. The prayers are most often read by one person, but may be shared by 1-3 family members.
Bringing up the gifts before Communion: (2+) The gifts are brought up by at least 2 people, but may include as many as the family chooses. Often, all the grandchildren bring up the gifts. The gift bearers walk to the back of the church when the person reading the prayers and intentions walks to the lectern.
Serving as a Eucharistic Minister: (1+) If a friend of family member serves as a Eucharistic Minister in their community, they may assist at the funeral. We will provide a Eucharistic Minister if the family does not have someone they would like to invite. The Eucharistic Minister(s) come and stand behind the altar at the Lamb of God. The cup bearers stand at the corner of the steps to serve. After the last person has received communion, the bread and wine should be taken to the altar.
Burial: Normally, we proceed to the cemetery following the funeral Mass and funeral luncheon. Your funeral home will arrange a burial time.
Pall Bearers: (6-8) Your funeral home will work with your pall bearers. The cross bearer cannot also be a pall bearer.
A Note on Cremated Remains: Cremated remains will be placed next to the baptismal font. A friend or family member should be chosen to process with the cremated remains. They will follow the priest into the sanctuary and out of the sanctuary.
The Church encourages burial of the cremated remains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who to Call:
After the death of a loved one, call the parish office at (507) 234-6244 and ask to speak to the priest to set a time and date for the funeral. You will also need to schedule a funeral planning time. Once the funeral time and date is determined, your funeral home will help you place the obituary.
Choosing a Time and Date for the Funeral:
Most often, funerals at one of the cluster parishes are Monday-Friday at 11am with a 10am visitation prior to the funeral and a luncheon at non following the funeral. Saturday or evening funerals are less common due to the scheduling constraints of the building.
Costs:
Funeral Hospitality Meal: per person = $7.00
Meal fees for a reception following the funeral liturgy includes the use of reception space, the use of the kitchens at the parishes, service of the hospitality coordinator, and help provided by our volunteer hospitality team. Our plate fee includes either: a funeral luncheon, dinner, or coffee and dessert reception to be determined by our funeral hospitality coordinator in conjunction with the family based on expected funeral attendance, time of day and availability of space. Hospitality is only available after a funeral service. No hospitality can be offered for visitations.
Other Fees:
Building use for visitations and funeral: $150.00
Musicians: Organ/piano: $200.00
Cantor: $150.00
Clergy: $200.00
What to Bring to the Funeral Planning:
If you would like a picture of your loved one on the cover of the worship aid, please bring it with you to the planning. A black and white or color picture with good resolution will reproduce the best.
Photos and Memorabilia – Memory Table:
Families may bring pictures of the deceased and display them in the back of the church from the vigil until after the funeral reception. Pictures may be mounted on foam core and displayed on easels, or photos albums and framed pictures may be placed on banquet tables. A special framed photo of the deceased may be placed on the center table in the back of the church along with the guest registry book.
Flowers:
Flowers should be delivered to the Parish Office one hour prior to the vigil so the funeral home has time to arrange the flowers in the sanctuary. As an example, for an 11am funeral with a 10am vigil, flowers should arrive by 9am. If flowers were delivered to the funeral home (for a wake), the funeral home will bring the flowers to church prior to the funeral.
After the funeral, let your funeral home know if you would like flowers taken to the cemetery. Any remaining flowers can be taken home or designated for the Saint Ann Adoration Chapel or the church.
Memorial Opportunities:
Families often designate an organization or charity significant to their loved one as a way of remembrance. If your family has a special organization you would like to designate for memorial contributions in your loved one’s name, please let your funeral home know this so that the obituary can indicate your preferences. This is often done “in lieu of flowers”. It is helpful to provide the name and address of the organization for the obituary so that friends and family may be assured their memorial gifts are received by the intended organization.
A memorial fund may be established at Saint Ann Church in honor of your loved one. At Saint Ann Church, memorial funds have been used to purchase meaningful gifts of a generally permanent nature that add life to the church community. Many of these gifts are beyond the reach of the regular church budget.
Many families also request Mass be said for their loved one. Our church secretary can assist you in scheduling dates for Masses. Many families choose Masses on birthdays, anniversaries or other significant dates.
Contact Names and Numbers:
Planning a funeral is difficult. You may find your thoughts are more scattered and you might forget to mention significant details at the planning meeting. Call us with any questions. We’re here to help.
Fr. Robert Schneider…………………….507-234-6244
Christine Kunz, Secretary……………507-234-6244
[email protected]
