More than one million bereaved Catholic families have drawn comfort from the pastoral wisdom of Msgr. Joseph M. Champlin (1930-2008) in Through Death to Life since its original publication in 1979. This leading Catholic funeral planning resource contains all of the approved lectionary readings and other liturgical texts needed to celebrate a funeral Mass. Two distinct numbering systems in the volume coincide with official liturgical books as well as Ave’s Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal card set for presiders. This easy-to-use aid is a practical tool for priests, deacons, and lay pastoral ministers as they help grieving Catholics plan the funeral of a loved one. Families can select the readings and prayers that they find most fitting for the Mass and record them on an easy-to-follow selection sheet, which is included with the book. This information is given to the presiding priest or his designate to prepare the funeral liturgy. A comforting pastoral introduction and an appendix explaining Church teaching on the practice of cremation are included.

More than one million bereaved Catholic families have drawn comfort from the pastoral wisdom of Msgr. Joseph M. Champlin (1930-2008) in Through Death to Life since its original publication in 1979. This leading Catholic funeral planning resource contains all of the approved lectionary readings and other liturgical texts needed to celebrate a funeral Mass. Two distinct numbering systems in the volume coincide with official liturgical books as well as Ave's Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal card set for presiders. This easy-to-use aid is a practical tool for priests, deacons, and lay pastoral ministers as they help grieving Catholics plan the funeral of a loved one. Families can select the readings and prayers that they find most fitting for the Mass and record them on an easy-to-follow selection sheet, which is included with the book. This information is given to the presiding priest or his designate to prepare the funeral liturgy. A comforting pastoral introduction and an appendix explaining Church teaching on the practice of cremation are included.

The process of preparing a Catholic funeral can be a healing and life-giving experience for all who are involved. This resource provides parish staffs with a thorough treatment of the various funeral rites—from the first meeting with families after death through the burial. It offers pastoral guidance for collaborating with families, preparing the liturgical environment and music, selecting prayer texts, scheduling liturgical ministers, and ways for your parish to be a source of comfort, hope, and strength for mourners.

Although the Catholic funeral rite has not changed in the past few decades, society has. Parishes have new questions to face that their liturgical book does not consider: eulogies by family members, the final disposition of cremated remains, and the collapse of the traditional three-stage funeral liturgy. Light in the Darkness takes a fresh look at the pastoral challenges society is posing, while giving concrete suggestions for implementing the vision of the Catholic Church’s Order of Christian Funerals. The appendix includes catechetical materials for families planning a funeral and an extended commentary on all the Scripture readings for a funeral Mass.

In a revised and expanded edition, this simple pamphlet continues to guide us in dealing with death and arranging in advance for funerals. These booklets are often purchased in bulk by institutions to distribute to people of all ages to help them plan final arrangements, or to families of the deceased immediately after a death. The original edition was prompted by the death of the author's father: upon his passing and pending funeral, no one knew his plans or directives. Since then, scores of clergy, funeral directors, and parishioners have used this guide to address what needs to be done.

"A guide to plan Catholic funeral rites, on short notice or in advance of death, according to the Order of Christian Funerals"--Provided by publisher.