Guidelines for Funeral Masses at Presentation B.V.M. and St. Joseph

1. Only the Scriptures assigned by the Church for funerals are to be used in their entirety as given; the readings are ordered and proclaimed after the manner of Sunday Mass.  These Scriptures are assigned by the Church for this celebration because of their themes of resurrection, mercy and everlasting life.  One’s “favorite” Scriptures may not be substituted for any of these. The actual Scriptural texts may be accessed on this site.
2. Only Catholics who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation may proclaim Scriptures at Mass; care should be taken is choosing someone because of the emotions involved at such times. The individual should be able to proclaim the Scriptures well.
3. Only appropriate liturgical music may be used at Mass, i.e., music whose theme is resurrection, everlasting life, etc.; music should be chosen with a view to full participation by congregation.  Someone’s favorite hymns have no place at the Mass simply because the deceased or the family like them. Music and guest musicians must be approved by Mrs. Melanie Capoferri – 215-635-1681 – two days before the actual celebration of Mass.  No booklets may be used until they have received such approval.
4. Funerals are to be celebrated at 10am only, Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Families may choose to have Mass offered, instead, on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday at Presentation B.V.M. Church at 10:00am.
5. If there is to be a eulogy, only one person may deliver it at 9:50am:  it must be typed out, no longer than two pages, double-spaced, approved by the celebrant and necessarily speak of the faith life of the individual.  This is not a place for comedy or unsuitable stories about the deceased.  Other such thoughts may be offered at the funeral parlor or at the reception.
6. Offertory processions are to bring up only the water, wine and hosts to be used at Mass; therefore, a maximum of three people can be involved.

Links to Approved Scriptures Assigned by the Church

The family should select a first reading, a second reading and a Gospel from the links below. The readings at the links below are the only approved readings that should be used during the Funeral Mass (see #1 above).

Please note that the First reading for Funeral Masses is normally taken from the Old Testament unless it is the Easter Season (Easter Sunday through Pentecost Sunday) in which case the first reading is taken from the New Testament.

First reading for Funeral Masses – Outside the Easter Season

First reading for Funeral Masses – During the Easter Season

The Responsorial Psalm will then be sung by the cantor and the congregation, as at Sunday liturgy. The Director of Music, Melanie Capoferri, will select the Psalm with the family when they are planning the music for the Funeral Mass.

Second reading for Funeral Masses

The Alleluia verse, or a verse before the Gospel in Lent, will be intoned by the cantor.

Gospel for Funeral Masses