To Bury the Dead is a Corporal Work of Mercy.  The Bereavement minister is a comforting presence and serves in the setup, welcoming, and facilitates the assembly’s flow for the Mass of the Resurrection.

The bereavement ministry strives to live in the image of Jesus Christ who wept with those who mourned. We believe that in our parish community, no one should grieve alone. As Catholics, the Resurrection is a central doctrine in our faith and it shapes our attitudes and responses to the event of death. Death brings loss, sorrow, and grief to all. In the face of death, we affirm with both tears and joy the hope of the Gospel.  To that end we pray for and with each family that loses a loved one and attempt to share our love and bring comfort and consolation to all who grieve. We guide the family in the preparation of meaningful funeral rites.

 On the day of the funeral Mass, the bereavement ministers prepare the worship space and Narthex (the entrance of the church) with a table for family to display special photographs and items, and distribute worship aids to family and friends attending the service.

Before Mass:

*Lay the linens on the Memorial Table and when applicable, the Cremains stands *Place Funeral Pall (when corpus is present) by the baptismal font *Meet, greet and console with family & guests.

*Meet and give direction to gift bearers for Offertory *Stand in reverence while casket is escorted inside the church

At the Baptismal Font:

*After Presider blesses the coffin with Holy Water, 2 ministers will reverently drape it with the Pall. 1 Minister will take care of the crucifix. 

During Mass:

*Fetch gift bearers

*Hand bread and wine to gift bearers

*Facilitate Holy Communion flow

After Mass:

*Reverently folds the pall and put away the linens

*Ensures the worship space is cleared of all funeral material

On the day of the funeral Mass, the bereavement ministers prepare the worship space and Narthex (the entrance of the church) with a table for family to display special photographs and items, and distribute worship aids to family and friends attending the service.

Seeking bilingual/Spanish speaking volunteer to assist in Hispanic funerals.   Contact: olmcfunerals@gmail.com