Bereavement Ministry

When a loved one leaves this world to enter into eternal life, the loss can be painful to family and friends.  Our bereavement ministry assists the family of the deceased in several areas: planning a meaningful and appropriate funeral liturgy, planning and preparing a gathering after the funeral, mailing special correspondence throughout the year, and reuniting at the Feast of All Souls Day Liturgy (November 2).  Volunteers serve in the various facets of this important parish ministry: Planners, Sacristans, Eucharistic Ministers,  Lectors, Musicians, Food Coordinators, Food Prep/Service, and Correspondence (funeral booklets/sympathy cards).  Please call the Parish Center Office with questions 513-825-0618.

Steps to Funeral Planning

1. Please contact your chosen Funeral Home – Planning and Arrangements.
2. The Funeral Home will contact our Parish to set up the most convenient day/date.
3. Choice of Service at our Parish: with or without the Eucharist.
4. Choice of Service at the Funeral Home, with the Deacon as presider.
5. A volunteer from our Bereavement Ministry will call the families’ contact person to set up a time for the planning of the chosen Service. Please remember that our goal is to minister to you and your family at this time.  We are here to help you in your planning for celebrating your loved ones life and faith. 
6. Please be aware that there are guidelines we follow pertaining to the music.
7. Music for the Funeral Liturgy is always focused on God’s love for us.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived here on earth among us!  The cornerstone of our faith is his life, death and Resurrection.
8. Any music pertaining to our Blessed Mother is used prior to the service. During the funeral service, the music emphasis is on God’s love, Christ’s life and resurrection.
9. When music is selected for the Funeral Liturgy, the family is assisted by the Corpus Christi funeral planner.
10. Corpus Christi has a group of dedicated musicians who provide music during Funeral Liturgies.  It is our honor to serve you as you remember your loved one.
11. Other guidelines that we follow in our Parish, knowing the funeral liturgy is an act of Worship:
12. Family members or friends that are experienced are welcome to serve as Lectors at the Funeral Service or Mass. Proclaiming the Word of God at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a sacred ministry.
13. Family members or friends that are experienced are welcome to serve as Communion Distributors at the Funeral Mass. They may assist the presider in the offering of the body and blood and the divinity of Jesus Christ.
14. It is most appropriate, when family and friends are gathered together for visitation, to offer time for recalling the life of your loved one. For this reason, eulogies are encouraged to be delivered during the visitation if held at the funeral home, the burial, or at a gathering following the service. (The General Instruction of the Roman Missal #382, which regulates the celebration of Mass, tells us, “At the Funeral Mass there should, as a rule, be a short homily, but never a eulogy of any kind.”) (usccb.org/liturgy/current/ chapter8.htm)

 If there is anything, that the Parish can do to help you and your family during this difficult time, please do not hesitate to ask.  May your loved one rest in peace, and may the Good Lord strengthen your hearts and give tranquility to your souls.  Please call the Parish Center Office with questions 513-825-0618.

Pre-Planning Funerals

1. Planning funerals in advance has proven to be very beneficial for some of our parishioners’ families. Choosing to pre-plan a person’s funeral has helped in the support during the Service planning process for their loved one.
2. Pre-planning appointment can be made by calling the Parish Center Office and giving your name and phone number. A Bereavement Ministry Representative will contact you to set up a time to view the materials and fill out our form, which will be kept.
3. The materials used for planning funerals: lists of scripture for the First and Second Readings and the Gospel, music selections, pall and gift bears, etc.
4. All the planned ideas are written on our form that will be an aide in the future when at the time for the actual planning takes place for the funeral.

 Please call the Parish Center Office with questions 513-825-0618.