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Funerals
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Steps to take immediately after a loved one diesa confusing time
Whether expected or not, the time immediately after the death of a loved one can be a time of confusion and uncertainty. To help offer some guidance, what follows is what Our Lady of Ransom sees ministry to those suffering loss.
Our parish seeks to be fruitful disciples proclaiming freedom in Jesus. Informed by this mission we desire to be heralds of Jesus’ resurrection. We believe that even in death life is changed, not ended. Jesus ransoms us from final death, and we want to help ransom you from unnecessary stress and strife.
That's why we begin at the highest bar of handling everything for a family in mourning. We desire to comfort the sorrowful. We want you to be able to experience the days ahead simply by being present to pray with each other. We want to walk with you so that you can focus on your family, friends, and loved ones during this time and moving forward.- Call the funeral home of your choice to let them know that a loved one has passed.
- The funeral homes that most frequently serve Our Lady of Ransom and are accustomed to our procedures are: Ryan-Parke in Park Ridge (847.823.1171), Colonial-Wojciechowski Funeral Home in Niles (847.581.0536), and Skaja Terrace Funeral Home in Niles (847.966.7302)
- In your initial meeting at the funeral home, you can let your director know you would like the Mass to be celebrated at Our Lady of Ransom. They will call the church to inquire about our ability to take a funeral at that time. Please know that sometimes it will take up to 24 hours to receive confirmation of the day and time, although most times it happens much faster.
- Funerals are celebrated at our parish Monday-Friday at 10a, and Saturdays at 9:30a.
- Due to the time it takes to arrange ministers and plan the details of the funeral Mass, we cannot accept requests for funerals less than 72 hours out.
- Other than scheduling the Mass, you will not need to discuss any details of the Mass with the funeral home (readings, music, etc). The funeral homes do not always have the most up-to-date information regarding our procedures and so we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information they might offer you regarding the church services.
- After we have confirmed the time for the funeral, someone will reach out to you to schedule a time to talk. This can happen in person, on the phone, via email or Zoom, whatever is most comfortable for you.
- During that meeting, we will offer ways that we can support your family and pray for your loved one during this time. Since the church service is a Mass, its structure and components are primarily determined by the church's practices. We handle all the planning, ensuring the service will be beautiful, so you have one less thing to worry about.
It is normal to have difficulties processing information while we are still shocked by losing a loved one. That’s why, while all the information will be provided in your meeting, we are providing the details below for your reference or your pre-planning.
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Guidelines Regarding Funerals at Our Lady of Ransomjoining the prayer of the church for those who have died
- The Scripture readings, as well as the petitions of the Universal Prayer, will be proclaimed by the priest or a trained lector from Our Lady of Ransom.
- Options for readings can be found on the corresponding tab to the left.
- Words of remembrance, or “eulogies,” are a time for friends and family to reflect on the life of the deceased, and therefore are most appropriate for the funeral home, the place of internment, or ideally a luncheon after the funeral service. Due to the nature of the funeral Mass at Our Lady of Ransom, there is not the opportunity to offer these types of reflections in the church. While we realize individuals may have had differing experiences at prior Catholic funerals, this is both the long-standing practice of the Catholic church and the current policy of the Archdiocese of Chicago. For more information, please go to the Archdiocese of Chicago website and search for "Funerals."
- Due to a lack of staff and volunteers, Our Lady of Ransom is currently unable to allow visitations in the church prior to the celebration of Mass. We encourage you to work with your funeral home to place the visitation there.
- The cremated remains of the human body are to be placed in sacred ground and are never to be scattered, separated or reserved at home. Burying the remains of the faithful confirms one's faith in the resurrection of the body. The teachings of the Church call for us to care for the cremated remains of the human body with the same respect and dignity that we care for casketed remains of our loved ones.
- The celebrant of the Mass selects the Gospel reading.
- At all funeral Masses at Our Lady of Ransom, the following announcement is read prior to the distribution of communion:
- It is common at funerals for people to wonder if they should receive Communion and, if so, how to do so in this particular church. At the heart of our faith is our belief that the Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus. Because of that, to receive Communion, we need to be a practicing, Mass attending Catholic in the state of grace. For those who are Catholic and properly disposed, when our priest moves in front of the altar, we invite you to form two lines on either side of the casket to come forward to receive the Eucharist, and to return to your pew by the side aisles. For those who will not be receiving, we thank you for respecting our faith. You may remain in your pews in silent prayer or come forward with your arms crossed.
- It is common at funerals for people to wonder if they should receive Communion and, if so, how to do so in this particular church. At the heart of our faith is our belief that the Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus. Because of that, to receive Communion, we need to be a practicing, Mass attending Catholic in the state of grace. For those who are Catholic and properly disposed, when our priest moves in front of the altar, we invite you to form two lines on either side of the casket to come forward to receive the Eucharist, and to return to your pew by the side aisles. For those who will not be receiving, we thank you for respecting our faith. You may remain in your pews in silent prayer or come forward with your arms crossed.
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Options for the 1st Reading
Please click on each reading to access the full text.
Outside of the Season of Easter, one of the following readings must be chosen.- 2 Maccabees 12:43-46: He acted in an excellent and noble way as he had the resurrection of the dead in view.
- Wisdom 3:1-9: As a sacrificial offering he took them to himself.
- Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9: He will destroy death forever.
- Lamentations 3:17-26: It is good to hope in silence for the saving help fo the Lord.
During the Season of Easter, which runs from Easter Sunday until Pentecost, one of the following readings must be chosen.
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Options for the Psalm
- Psalm 116: I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living
- Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want
- Psalm 27: The Lord is my light and my salvation
- Psalm 130: With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption
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Options for the 2nd Reading
Please click on each reading to access the full text.
- Romans 5:5-11: Since we are now justified by his blood, we will be saved through him from wrath.
- Romans 6:3-9: We too might live in newness of life.
- Romans 8:14-23: We also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
- Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39: Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
- 2nd Corinthians 4:14-5:1: What is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.
- Philippians 3:20-21: He will change our lowly bodies to conform to his glory.
- 1st John 3:1-2. We shall see him as he is.
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Sung Prayer at a Funeral Mass
Click on any of the below titles to hear a rendition of the hymn.
Entrance
A setting of the Entrance Antiphon from the Roman Missal selected by the music director
Offertory Hymn
Abide with Me (Eventide)
Amazing Grace (New Britain)
I Heard the voice of Jesus Say (Kingsfold)
Lead Kindly Light (Sandon)
My Shepherd You supply my need (Resignation)
The Lord’s My Shepherd (Brother James Air)Communion
A setting of the Communion Antiphon from the Roman Missal selected by the music director
Ave Maria (Schubert)
Panis Angelicus (Franck)Closing Hymn
How Great Thou Art
I know that my Redeemer lives (Duke Street)
Jerusalem My Happy Home (Land of Rest)
O God Our Help in Ages Past (St. Anne)
The King of love my Shepherd is (St. Columba)
Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones (Lasst Uns Erfreuen)
Pie Jesu (Faure)
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