Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just. The Mass, the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral.
~ Order of Christian Funerals
The death of a loved one is a difficult time for families. At Our Lady, our commitment is to assist the family of the deceased in preparing a meaningful celebration of life both on earth and eternal life.
To plan a funeral, please contact Kim in the church office at 901-754-1204 ext 302 or email kpesce@olphgermantown.org
Procedures for Anointing of the Sick at Our Lady
When a person is seriously ill:
Call the parish office at 901-754-1204; follow the prompts to access the after-hours answering service 24 hours a day. The call is referred to a priest or pastoral minister. Arrangements can be made to come to the nursing home, hospital, or your home to anoint your loved one. Only the priest can administer the Sacrament of the Sick. Anyone on the pastoral staff is happy to come and pray with you.
When a family member is dying:
Call the parish office at 901-754-1204; follow the prompts to access the after-hours answering service 24 hours a day. If the family member needs to be anointed, then a priest will be contacted and arrangements will be made. Please indicate if the dying person can receive Holy Communion. If so, the priest will administer Viaticum. Many hospitals have chaplains on site and they are also available if the parish cannot be contacted.
Funeral Procedures at Our Lady
After the death of your loved one:
Contact the parish office at 901-754-1204. When the parish office is closed, please follow the prompts for an emergency to access the after-hours answering service, to avoid delays. We will work with you and your funeral director to schedule the funeral, based on the availability of our facilities and clergy. It is our policy that funerals take precedence over most other activities.
The normal time for funerals is weekday mornings. Due to the extensive use of the church on evenings and Saturdays for parish needs, evening and Saturday funerals should be considered a rare exception. No Mass of Christian Burial or Memorial Mass may be scheduled on Sundays, Feast Days, or during the Paschal Triduum (Holy Thursday evening through Easter Sunday).
Families usually meet with the funeral director first and confirm arrangements. Family members then meet with the funeral coordinator to plan the liturgy (readings, music, and other details), and with the priest who will preside at the funeral.