If you are reaching us because you have had a loved one pass away, please know that we at SMSJ are praying for you and offer our deepest sympathies.
SMSJ works closely with all local funeral homes. Your first point of contact if you have suffered the death of a loved one would be to contact the funeral home of your choice.
The funeral home you choose will then be in contact with us to coordinate dates and times.
For funeral liturgies (vigil, Mass), we would always love to meet with the family and discuss particulars of the funeral liturgies, so to make them a special celebration in remembrance of your loved one.
If any questions arise, please call one of our offices.
Durand office ~ 855-288-6704
Gaines office ~ 989-271-8434
We will be glad to answer questions and meet with you.
Our parish offers funeral luncheons.
It is common practice to have a vigil service (a “wake”) during the visitation period at the funeral home the day before the funeral. This may take the form of a Rosary or a Scripture Service. This is also the fitting forum for eulogies. Alternately, families also often choose to have visitation take place immediately before the funeral in the narthex of the Church. While these services are customary, they are not obligatory.
A funeral Mass can be offered to the family to celebrate the life of a loved one, in most cases.
It is very beneficial to come into the parish office to plan the liturgy with the pastor.
Selecting bible readings, songs, understanding how the family can be involved, all can be a source of healing which also brings reverence to the deceased.
After the funeral, the body is taken to the cemetery, where there may be a short prayer service (“final commendation”). This rite is sometimes reserved to the family alone, or may be postponed or not celebrated at all for a just reason.
The Church’s strong preference is that the body of the person be present at all the funeral rites and be buried afterwards. The Church does make allowance for cremation, although this can never be done as a denial of the goodness or future resurrection of the human body. If cremation is chosen, the ashes of the deceased are to be buried immediately after the funeral rites in a columbarium, mausoleum, or the ground. Under no circumstances should the ashes of the deceased ever be scattered or kept at the home of the family.