Introduction .....................................................................................................................8 Importance of This Booklet...........................................................................................9 The Church Liturgy........................................................................................................10 Death and the Catholic Church ......................................................................10 Order of Christian Funerals.............................................................................10 Vigil Service..........................................................................................10 Eulogy ...................................................................................................11 Funeral Liturgy.....................................................................................11 Rite of Committal.................................................................................12 Memorial Services................................................................................12 Related Rites and Prayers ....................................................................12 Symbols within the Funeral Rites...................................................................13 Role of Cremation Within the Catholic Faith ..............................................14 Church Liturgy Planning Worksheet.............................................................15 The Funeral Home.........................................................................................................16 Arrangements with the Funeral Home..........................................................16 Type of Final Disposition.....................................................................17 Types of Services ..................................................................................17 Memorial Items / Products..................................................................17 Necessary Paperwork and Documents ...............................................17 Role of the Funeral Home Throughout the Order of Christian Funerals .....................................................................18 Vigil Service..........................................................................................18 Mass of Christian Burial or Funeral Liturgy.......................................18 Rite of Committal at the Cemetery.....................................................18 Funeral Home Planning Worksheet ..............................................................19 The Cemetery ...............................................................................................................21 Cemetery Burial Options .................................................................................22 Ground Burial for a Casket..................................................................22 Indoor Crypt Burial for a Casket .........................................................22 Outdoor Crypt Burial for a Casket ......................................................22 Ground Burial for Cremated Remains................................................22 Indoor Niche Burial for Cremated Remains.......................................22 Outdoor Niche Burial for Cremated Remains....................................22 Types of Cemeteries...........................................................................................23 Religious Cemeteries............................................................................23 Public Cemeteries ................................................................................23 District, Municipal or Land Grant Cemeteries...................................23 National or Veterans’ Cemeteries........................................................23 Green Cemeteries.................................................................................24 Home Burials........................................................................................24 Cemetery Planning Worksheet.......................................................................25 Living with Grief ...........................................................................................................26 The Benefits of Pre-planning for a Funeral Service...............................................28 Glossary of Terms..........................................................................................................29 Table of Contents Catholic Cemetery Association - Funeral Planning Guide 7