Funeral Masses

Funeral Masses are celebrated at 10am in St Mary’s Oratory and at 11am in St Mary’s Church, Cockhill and Star of the Sea, Desertegney ( where requiem Mass on a Sunday, however, is at 11.30am). A visiting priest is welcome to celebrate a Funeral Mass at a time other than these times. If the Funeral Mass is followed by burial in a local cemetery the priest celebrating the Mass will assist at the graveside. If the burial is in a cemetery outside the Parish the undertaker may have to make arrangements with the priest there to assist at the graveside.

The priest saying the Funeral Mass will call with the family of the deceased to discuss the Funeral Liturgy and will provide suitable readings and prayers for the Mass.

Suitable poetry or prayers of reflection can be read after communion but we discourage the practice of family and friends reminiscing about the deceased during the Funeral Mass. This can be done in the home of the deceased or at the graveside.

Music for the Funeral Mass is usually arranged by the family or by the undertaker and is always to be suited to the dignity of the Funeral Liturgy. A priest will call to the wake to lead the family in prayers for the deceased.