Know of our love and prayers as you mourn the loss of your loved one.  Saint Thomas stands ready to help you and your family prepare for the funeral Mass, and well after.  

Please contact the Parish Office (859-441-1282) to set up a meeting to plan the Funeral with Fr. Ross. 

When you meet with the Parish, we will ask some of the following questions.  Having these ready is helpful to the planning process.

Please download this form to make your notes and bring to the meeting with the Parish

Please know that you don't need to have all of this figured out before the meeting.  We are here to help you along the way.  

• What are the names of the Pall Bearers?  Typically six people.
• What are the names and mailing addresses of the next of kin, and children?
• Do you have anyone that you would like to read during the Funeral Mass?  Typically one or two people. 
• Please look over the Funeral Readings on the left
• Please look over the Funeral Music link on the left
• Will there be an offertory procession (bringing up the Bread and Wine for the Eucharist)?  Would you like to have a flower procession (i.e. flowers presented by grandchildren)?
• What about the funeral lunch? How many people do you expect?

 

At most funerals, we need at least four hymns:  Entrance, Offertory, Communion and Closing. 

This list below can help you pick the hymns.  This list is not exhaustive, just suggestions.  Some of the titles below will take you to YouTube to hear the selection.

Taped or pre-recorded music may not be used.

Because of the sacred nature of the Catholic Liturgy, only sacred music is to be used during the Mass or before Mass. The use of non-religious music should be reserved for the funeral home or reception.

Hymn Options  

Abide with Me
All is Well with My Soul
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus (not during Lent)
Amazing Grace
Be Not Afraid
Be Still My Soul
Be Thou my Vision
Christ be our Light
Christ Be Beside Me
Christ in me Arise
Day is Done
Eye has not Seen
For All the Saints
Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
Hail, Holy Queen
Here I Am Lord
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
How Great Thou Art
How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place
I Heard the Voice of Jesus
I Know that My Redeemer Lives
Let There Be Peace on Earth
Look Beyond
Lord of all Hopefulness
Loving and Forgiving
O God, beyond all Praising
On Eagles Wings
One Bread, One Body
Prayer of St. Francis
Precious Lord Take My Hand
Restless is the Heart
Sing with all the Saints in Glory
The King of Love, My Shepherd Is
The Servant Song
The Summons
Unless a Grain of Wheat
Yes, I Shall Arise
You Are Near

Hymns for Communion
Bread of Life (Farrell)
Draw Near
O Sacrament Most Holy
I am the Bread of Life
I Received the Living God
Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All
Taste & See
Gift of Finest Wheat

Marian Hymns
Can be used for Offertory or after Communion
Immaculate Mary
Hail Mary, Gentle Woman

Solo music is also a possibility including the Ave Maria after Communion, Panis Angelicus and The Old Irish Blessing. 

Ave Maria - Schubert
Ave Maria - J.S. Bach / Charles Gounod
Requiem Aeternam - Gregorian Chant
In Paridisum - Gregorian Chant

 

At a Funeral Mass, there are three readings:  the first reading, the second reading, and the Gospel.

In every celebration for the dead, the Church attaches great importance to the reading of the word of God. The readings proclaim to the assembly the Paschal Mystery, teach remembrance of the dead, convey the hope of being gathered together again in God's Kingdom, and encourage the witness of Christian life. Above all, the readings tell of God's designs for a world in which suffering and death will relinquish their hold on all whom God has called his own. A careful selection and use of readings from Scripture for the funeral rites will provide the family and the community with an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their needs, sorrows, fears, and hopes.

Sung Responsorial Psalms
Click the links below for recordings of the sung psalm options

Psalm 23: I Shall Live in the House of the Lord (Alstott)
Psalm 23:  The Lord is My Shepherd (Guimont)
 Psalm 23:  My Shepherd is the Lord (Guimont)
Psalm 25: To You O Lord (Joncas)
Psalm 25: To You O Lord (Soper)
Psalm 27: The Lord is My Light and Salvation (deBryun)
Psalm 42/43: Like a Deer That Longs (My Soul Is Thirsting for You)
Psalm 63: My Soul is thirsting for You, O Lord, my God
Psalm 122: Let us Go Rejoicing to the House of the Lord


The First Reading is typically from the Old Testament

• Suggested First Readings:
  • Wisdom 3:1 - 6, 9
  • Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9

The Second Reading is from the New Testament

• Suggested Second Readings:
  • Romans 6:3-4, 8-9
  • 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10
  • Philippians 3:20-21
  • 1 John 3:1-2

The Gospel is from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John

• Suggested Holy Gospel Readings:
  • Matthew 11:25-30
  • John 6:37-40
  • John 14:1-6

When a family celebrates the Funeral of a loved one, the last thing they need to worry about is how to feed those who came to pray with and support them.

Saint Thomas Parish is honored to be able to host a lunch following the Funeral Mass in our Undercroft. 

A typical meal includes fried chicken, cold and hot sides, desserts, and drinks (soda, tea, and coffee). 

This is made possible by donations to our Bereavement Committee and by the labor of many talented parishioners who love to cook. 

We ask that the family make a donation of $2 dollars per person expected to attend the meal to help defray the cost of the chicken and soft drinks if they are able to. 

Please contact the parish office if you have any questions about this important ministry.