The job of officiating a funeral, if you are not emotionally attached to the deceased is not a tough one. All you need for the purpose is the list of names of the relatives, a bible and a few readings suggested by the family of the one being honored. Follow the guidelines given below if you are someone entrusted with the task of officiating a funeral.

1. Welcome the mourners - All funeral services generally start with the pastor/priest greeting the mourner. If you are the person assigned with the task, you can take help from the pastoral notes available. Address the person nearest in relation to the deceased by name. Acknowledge that he and the other relatives have come to remember "the name of the person”. Welcome the coffin and the mourners to the church.
2. State the purpose of the gathering - Done this, the mourners gather together in the church. You as a leader declare the purpose of the meeting. Here too, you can make use of the pastoral notes which is sure to be available in the church.
3. Pray for the deceased - With the purpose of the gathering declared, you can proceed further; to praying for the deceased. Thank God for the person in question for helping so many, for bringing warmth in the lives of those who have come to give him/her a dignified funeral. Invite Him into the meeting and ask Him to bless the ones who have gathered, to be able to bear the grief.
4. Begin an interactive session - After praying for the deceased, you can invite his/her loved ones to share bible readings. They should also be encouraged to share their favorite passages; songs or poems written remembering their dear one.
5. Give a sermon - After the interactive session, you can give a sermon lauding the achievements of the person in question. Let this be an opportunity to thank the deceased for the favors those who have gathered have received. Let it be an expression of love, a promise to remember him/her for a lifetime.
6. Closing the ceremony - All this should close the rites commemorating the one just passed away. Pray for the family; for strength to cope up with the loss in the future.

Conclusion

If you are entrusted with the task of conducting a funeral, make sure that you meet the family members of the deceased at least one day before the ceremony. You can meet them in public if you want. But, make sure that the group does not contain more than five persons. If a funeral home is responsible for the task, they would be having a specific place for the gathering. Discuss with them what you have in mind for the ritual. Remain open to the ideas and concepts of friends and family members of the person just passed away. And, do not leave them with unanswered questions. Remember, giving farewell to loved ones is not an easy thing. And, you are there to counsel them, not to hinder their expressions of love or respect. And, do not forget to gather as much information as possible of the deceased.

Get professional help when planning funeral www.sanluisrey.org/cemetery – visit Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery Webpage or visit them personally at 4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92057. Old Mission cemetery is one of the oldest California cemetery still in operation. For more call (760) 757-3651.

Contact :
Contact Person: Maureen Sullivan
E-mail: [email protected]
Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia
Address: 4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92057-6402
Tel/Fax: (760) 757-3651
Website: http://www.sanluisrey.org/cemetery/