Funerals
Funerals are arranged by a funeral director who will facilitate the funeral Mass at St. Elizabeth if that is what the family decides. (A selection of funeral homes advertising on the back of our bulletin are listed below. Please note that this is not a compete list, nor an endorsement of any specific funeral home.) Funerals are held Monday through Friday at 10:00 AM. There are many ways that family members may participate in a loved one's funeral during the Mass. You may use the attached form (Funeral Form) to help pre-select appropriate roles if you wish, as well as this form (Funeral Music) to choose songs for the funeral. Although not required, bringing these forms to your meeting with the funeral director may help with funeral planning. St. Elizabeth also has organists and cantors who can provide music. Click here to listen to music selections that the family may choose from.
For a Spouse
This is my heartfelt prayer, O Lord, that you watch over my beloved spouse, who was my love, my companion, my heart in this worldly life. I humbly ask that you lead (Name) into your presence with tenderness and treasure him/her as I did on earth. I pray that someday I will be reunited with my loved one in heaven, just as we were united in faithful married life here on earth. Amen
For a Friend or Relative
Lord, please console my heart and my mind as I mourn the death of (Name), my dear friend/relative, who in life brought me great happiness, laughter, solace, and companionship. In your mercy, grant that (Name) may rest in peace until you awaken him/her to glory, for you are the resurrection and the life. Amen
For Parents
O God, who commanded us to love and honor our father and mother, in your compassion, have mercy on (Name), my father/mother who has passed beyond this world. In your tender care, remember his/her love, kindness, generosity, and goodness. Grant him/her safe passage to heaven and bring him/her into the eternal glory of your presence. Amen
For a Child
Heavenly Father, the death of my most precious child (Name), so dear to my heart, is a sorrow that I can not endure without your help. He/she was taken too early from this earth, from me, from all who love him/her. I pray that you keep his/her young soul in your constant care and that he/she may flourish, forever young, in the happiness of your house. Amen
For All the Souls of the Dead
O God, you willed that your Only Begotten Son, having conquered death, should pass over into the realm of heaven. I pray that all your faithful departed servants, who have left this earthly life, may join your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and gaze eternally on you, their Creator and Redeemer, in heaven. Amen
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures, he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths, for the sake of his name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. You set a table before me in front of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days. Amen
Prayers of Comfort for all who Mourn
In our sorrow, may God's love give us a peaceful heart. May we be blessed and consoled by our Lord, Jesus Christ, who gently wipes every tear from our eyes. We pray for this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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"And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain..."
-Revelation 21:4
Funeral homes advertising on the back of our bulletin include:
Gilbert Funeral Home 610-433-7080
Kohut Funeral Home 610-433-7466
Please note that this is not a complete list, nor an endorsement of any specific funeral home.
Catholic Cemeteries in the Lehigh Valley include:
Resurrection Cemetery 610-395-3819
Holy Savior Cemetery 610-866-2372