With prayer and with the beauty of ritual, the church walks with those who mourn. From the death bed to the grave, we honor the body of the deceased and voice the hope that is ours in Christ.

Perhaps the best way to capture the intention of the funeral rites is to envision a journey, or rather two parallel journeys. The body of the deceased is moving from the place of death to the funeral home, to the church, and then to its final resting place. As the mourners accompany the body physically through all or part of that journey, they are -- if the process is allowed to happen -- moving inwardly as well. Intellectually, emotionally and spiritually they are step-by-step entering into a new relationship with the deceased, with themselves and one another.

In pain and amid tears there is loss and separation, but "we believe that all the ties of friendship and affection which knit us as one throughout our ives donot unravel with death." FUNERAL RITE

PREPARING THE FUNERAL MASS

If you wish to have St Vincent's host a wake and/or funeral, please call the parish office at 518-489-5408 or email Elizabeth Simcoe to make arrangements. 

You can find suggested readings and musical selections on our website; see the sidebar of this page.

• Albany Diocesan Cemeteries