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Funerals

At OLG+IC+SJ, we offer meaningful and respectful Catholic funeral services to honor the life of your loved one. Serving the communities of Ballston Lake, Glenville, and Scotia, NY, our funeral services provide spiritual support and comfort during this time of loss.

A traditional Catholic funeral includes sacred prayers, hymns, Scripture readings, and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist led by a Catholic priest. This ceremony offers family and friends a chance to grieve, reflect, and find peace in faith.
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Contact one of our parish offices to learn more about arranging a Catholic funeral service.

A message from our Pastors​

On behalf of the Catholic community of Immaculate Conception, Saint Joseph and Our Lady of Grace, we would like to extend our deepest condolences and assurance of our prayers at this time of loss.  When a loved one dies, there are so many stressors, and planning a funeral is one of them.  It is our hope that this information will make it simpler for you and your family.

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Fr. Tom Konopka &  Fr. Russ Bergman

What does a Catholic
funeral look like?

The time of a death and funeral is a time of prayer for the departed and the family.  The Church community surrounds the family with support and prayers.  Each part of the Catholic funeral rite is a time of prayer.  Prayers are said at the wake if there is one.  The ultimate prayer of the Mass is offered.  The person is placed in his or her resting place with prayer and hope.

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You will be contacted by someone from our funeral ministry to set up a time to meet and discuss planning the funeral mass.  If you desire, the readings for the funeral Mass are below for you to look at beforehand.

The Wake & Burial

If there is a wake, the calling hours and place will be discussed with the funeral home.  The burial is also scheduled with the funeral home.  If someone is cremated, it is the teaching of the Church that the remains be placed in the ground or in a mausoleum to await the resurrection on the last day.  Although, the preferred method is to have the body present at the funeral Mass and then cremated; there is permission to have the cremated remains at the Mass and then buried at a later date.  It is the Catholic belief that cremated remains (ashes) are not to be scattered or separated, but to remain together and placed in a sacred place where our departed await the resurrection of the just.

The Funeral Mass

The most important part of our funeral rites is the funeral Mass.  Every Catholic is entitled to have the Mass offered for them whether they went to Mass or practiced the faith or not.  The focus of the funeral Mass is Christ and our belief in eternal life.  This does not mean we exclude the deceased, but, we offer them back to the Lord who redeemed them and us.  We turn to Christ in our grief for comfort and consolation.

Readings for the Funeral Mass

​In every celebration for the dead, the Church attaches great importance to the reading of the Word of God. The readings proclaim to the assembly the Paschal Mystery, teach remembrance of the dead, convey the hope of being gathered together again in God's kingdom, and encourage the witness of Christian life. Above all, the readings tell of God's designs for a world in which suffering and death will relinquish their hold on all whom God has called his own. A careful selection and use of readings from Scripture for the funeral rites will provide the family with an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their needs, sorrows, fears, and hopes. In the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word at the funeral liturgy, the Biblical readings may not be replaced by nonbiblical readings. But during prayer services with the family nonbiblical readings may be used in addition to readings from Scripture.

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– Order of Christian Funerals, General Introduction, nos. 22-23

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OLG+IC+SJ Funeral Readings

Ministry at the Funeral Mass

​You are more than welcome to have people proclaim the readings at the Mass.  If not, our bereavement ministers will proclaim the Word..  The Gospel for the Mass is normally chosen by the priest and it is always read by the priest or the deacon (if present).


A family member or friend may read the Prayer of the Faithful.


Family members or friends may bring up the gifts of bread and wine to the altar. If someone is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, he or she is welcome to help distribute Holy Communion

Christian Remarks

Giving a reflection at a Catholic Funeral Mass is a great honor and also a great responsibility.  At the Mass or Liturgy outside of Mass, Christian remarks are not a required part of the service. 

 

Please keep the following in mind as you prepare your reflection

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  • Please discuss with your family that it may be better for you to give your remarks at the wake or at the burial.  During those times, feel free to say what you want, etc.​

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  • The remarks are to be only 3-5 minutes long and to focus on the person’s life in Christ.  You may be thinking: How do I sum up someone’s life in that short amount of time?  You can’t!  Focus on these two questions:

    • What is one thing about this person that I have always admired?

    • How did he or she show me how to live my Christian faith?

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  • Respect the time limit.  At this point, the family is tired and not up to a long speech.  Plus, the Mass is not ended, and there is still the burial service. Respect the time of the clergy who will have other appointments or services, the volunteers who are there, the music directors, etc.   In our experience, the most impactful remarks were the short ones.

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  • You are in a sacred place.  Please do not use any profanity, tell any story that is R-rated, or do anything inappropriate (toasting the deceased, etc).    Please do not embarrass yourself, the family, or the clergy who may have to stop the remarks.

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  • ​Please have your remarks typed out and reviewed by the church.  We will place a copy at the pulpit for you.

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  • ​Only one person is to speak at the Mass.  Others can have opportunities at the wake or at the reception after.​​  This is the most appropriate place where many can tell stories, etc. in a relaxed and less formal environment.

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  • ​If the burial is at Saratoga National Cemetery, I highly suggest no remarks.  The National Cemetery is very strict on time, and if you are late, you will have to wait until there is a free slot.  Since it takes approximately an hour to get there, any remarks can make you late.

Funeral Mass Music

Music at a Catholic funeral is an essential part of our prayer, offering comfort, hope, and the promise of eternal life. All music used during the Funeral Mass must be sacred and liturgically appropriate; therefore, secular songs are not permitted. Families are invited to choose from the parish’s approved hymns and psalms to help honor the life of their loved one in the context of faith.  Most hymns listed below may be used in nearly any part of the Funeral Mass, with only a few exceptions (instrumental-only pieces and psalms reserved for the Liturgy of the Word). Families may choose the songs that best express faith, hope, and remembrance for their loved one.

Prelude

Instrumental or choral music can be played as guests gather in the church.

The prelude creates a peaceful atmosphere for prayer and quiet reflection before the liturgy begins.

Entrance Procession

The first congregational hymn of the Mass, sung as the priest and ministers enter.

It sets the tone for the liturgy and unites everyone in prayer for the deceased.

Responsorial Psalm

The Responsorial Psalm is a central part of the Liturgy of the Word and is always taken from Scripture. Unless a family has a specific arrangement or composer preference in mind, the musical setting of the psalm will be chosen by the music director to ensure liturgical consistency and prayerful flow.

Offertory Hymn

Sung during the Preparation of the Gifts, this hymn offers prayer and support as the bread and wine are brought to the altar.

It expresses trust in God’s mercy and the promise of new life.

Communion Hymn

Sung while the assembly receives Holy Communion.

This hymn reflects our unity in Christ and the comfort of His presence during times of loss.

Meditation

An optional hymn or solo is sung after Communion to provide a moment of quiet reflection.

It may express themes of peace, trust, or eternal rest.

Closing Hymn

The final hymn of the Mass, sung as the priest and ministers recess.

It offers a final prayer of farewell and commendation, sending the assembly forth strengthened by faith.

*Original Arrangement/Composition​

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