FUNERAL

Funeral Services at St Laurence’s Parish Leongatha

(Including St Kevin’s Meeniyan and St Joseph’s Mirboo North)

A Christian funeral is a “Prayer Service” held to honour and remember the life of a deceased individual, while offering comfort and support to the bereaved. Rooted in Christian Faith, these funerals often emphasise themes of Resurrection, Eternal Life, and the hope of being reunited with loved ones in the afterlife.

Our Christian Faith affirms that death is not the end. “Life is changed, not ended.” Our Church’s Funeral Rites commend those who have passed away to God’s merciful love and brings hope and consolation to the living. Christian hope faces the reality of death and the anguish of grief but trusts confidently that the power of death has been vanquished by Jesus, the Risen Lord.

Funeral Services Available

We offer the following options for funeral rites:

·      Requiem Mass

A Solemn Funeral Mass, The Mass is the central act of worship in the Catholic Church, commemorating the sacrifice of Christ, that includes the consecration and distribution of the Holy Communion. This service is celebrated exclusively within the church.

·      Funeral Prayer Service

A liturgical service consisting of prayers and scripture readings, without the Mass. This may be conducted at the church, a funeral home chapel, or a cemetery chapel.

·      Graveside Service

A prayerful ceremony held at the burial site, where the priest, family, and mourners gather to offer prayers and final commendations prior to interment.

Funeral Directors

There are several local funeral directors in our area. Once you have engaged one, the funeral director will then contact the Parish Office to check on the availability of the church and/or the clergy and book your nominated Requiem Mass or Funeral Prayer Service, according to the suitability of both the parties.

Booking and Arranging for the Funeral

Please contact the Parish Office on (03) 56622020. A priest will then be in contact with the family to arrange a meeting to discuss the service outline, involvement of the members of the family, etc. This will include choosing the Scripture Readings, Hymns, Prayers of the Faithful, Eulogy, etc.

Kindly bear in mind that whichever option of the service you choose, it essentially is a ‘Prayer’ that is offered to God for the decease person. Therefore, selection of Music/Hymns, Eulogy and Photo Presentation be done in sympathy with this ‘Prayerful Aspect’ of the Service.