Funeral Planning
On behalf of the entire parish, we express our heartfelt condolences for your loss. Know that you and your loved ones are in our prayers.
This page is designed to help you step by step prepare in the process of funerals at our parish.
For those pre-planning their own funeral, simply fill out the form below. You will receive an email confirmation that we have received it and have it on file.
Step One: Contact your funeral home
The funeral home will help coordinate with the pastor available dates for the funeral service.
Step Two: Notify the parish
Contact St. Patrick at (217) 367-2665 so that we can begin praying for you and your loved one.
Step Three: Fill out our funeral planning guide below which will be sent to our music director.
Once you complete the three steps you will receive a phone call from your pastor to set a meeting prior to the service. The purpose of the meeting is to pray with each other, learn more about your family, and finalize any details.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can we have our loved one cremated? Yes. In the past, there were more restrictions on cremation in order to communicate that the body is part of God’s beautiful creation. However, due to pastoral needs, the Church has loosened these restrictions.
Can we have music that is not suggested in the guide? Yes, so long as it is sacred music and our musicians can play/sing it. There are occasions when families would like to play songs that are not sacred. This is possible at the graveside and the visitation. While there is nothing wrong with non-sacred songs, our custom at church is to reflect its sacred nature by utilizing sacred music.
Are there different types of funerals? Yes. The typical options are the following:
Option A
Visitation at the funeral home with Rosary (usually the night before).
Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
Then burial after the funeral Mass.
Option B
Visitation at the funeral home.
A funeral without the Mass at the funeral home.
Funeral Luncheons: The Women of St. Patrick offer catered funeral luncheons. Please indicate approximately how many guests you expect to attend the luncheon. For an explanation of their services, click here. For a list of catering companies, click here.
We hope that this information will help you and your family plan for this rich moment of grace, healing and closure as we pray farewell to our loved ones, not forever, but only momentarily and all meet in Christ for eternity.
Three of the most selected readings at a funeral Mass (additional options here)
The Three Most Often Selected 1st Readings
Wisdom 3:1‐9
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.
Wisdom 4:7‐15
The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported–Snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul; For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the LORD, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account.
Isaiah 25:6a, 7‐9
On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"
The Three Most Often‐Selected 2nd Readings
Romans 6:3‐9
Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
2 Corinthians: 5:1, 6‐10
Brothers and sisters: We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven. We are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
1 John 3:1‐2
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
The Three Most Often‐Selected Gospel Readings
Matthew 5:1‐12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven."
John 11:17‐27
When Jesus arrived in Bethany, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."
John 14:1‐6
Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Please review the list below of some hymns and songs to consider. This list is not complete. All music requests, especially for any music not listed here, are subject to approval by the Music Director. Additionally, the Music Director will be happy to select music for any slot left empty. See the church hymnal book for full text of hymns.