If you have lost a loved one to death, you don't have to go through the processes alone. We will walk alongside you through one of life's most difficult experiences.
We serve parish families with funeral planning in the event of a loved one's death or the imminent need to plan for a funeral knowing death is near. Following a loss of a loved one, we remain available to the grieving for support and prayer.
Should you experience the death of a loved one, you are most welcome to contact us directly. However, please know that your Funeral Director of choice will take the responsibility of contacting the parish on your behalf to schedule the Funeral Mass. Once scheduled, the pastor or his pastoral assistant will contact you to answer any immediate questions and to begin a conversation about the process of selecting the passages from the Sacred Scriptures as well as the liurgical hymns that will be proclaimed and sung during the Mass of Christian Burial.
"If we died with him,
we will also live with him" 2 Timothy 2:11
Reminder Concerning Eulogies at Funerals:
This is a reprint of a notice that was first published by Bishop Thomas Tobin back in May 2015.
The Priests and faithful of the Diocese of Providence are reminded that the liturgical law of the Church clearly prohibits the presentation of eulogies at a Catholic Funeral Mass at any time during the Mass. The law does allow for the presentation of brief “words of remembrance” to be offered by one individual following the closing prayer of the Mass and before the Final Commendation. The decision to allow or not allow “words of remembrance” belongs solely to the pastor who is responsible for the oversight of the liturgy in his parish. The pastor must ensure that if “words of remembrance” are to be presented that they be appropriate and in keeping with the sacred nature of the Mass, both in length and in content. If the pastor cannot do so, then the “words of remembrance” must be omitted.
Guidelines for Words of Remembrance:
Bereaved families are reminded that “words of remembrance” can be offered without the need to follow any guidelines or be concerned about any restrictions after the final blessing and sending forth have been given at the cemetery or during the collation/gathering that follows the Church’s Rite of Christian Burial.
If words of remembrance are to be delivered at the Mass of Christian Burial in St. Robert Bellarmine Church, family members and friends are reminded of the following guidelines: