Bereavement Services at our Parish

Saint Catherine of Siena Church offers a variety of services to help families as they face the death of a loved one.

Funeral Planning Worksheet

Funeral planning is conducted with the family and our Care & Support Staff. At that time, Father Kevin Covert and Irene Dunlap assist you in the planning of the funeral service and any other vigil or grave services that you have requested. 

Irene Dunlap will contact you directly to coordinate a time to meet together. If at any time you have questions, concerns or changes in your plans, please feel free to call Irene and leave a message (978-2334 office or 599-6239 cell). A team of dedicated volunteers synchronize their efforts to offer luncheons after the funeral. These luncheons are offered to anyone who is buried from Saint Catherine’s. There is no charge to the family for these luncheons. If you would like a luncheon after the funeral of your loved one, please notify Irene as soon as possible so that we may efficiently contact our volunteers.

A team of music ministers -- choir, accompanist and cantors -- are available to serve at the funeral liturgies. Our Music Director is Mike Kiebel @ 978-2333. 

It is customary with churches and synagogues that a stipend is offered to both the accompanist and any cantor. This is a donation. An offering of $75-100 is typical for the accompanist. An offering of $50 is usual for a cantor.

After the Funeral

A packet of Bereavement Information and services is given to each family  after the funeral. This packet includes

information about support groups in the area, at our parish, our annual Mass of Remembrance and other reading material that may be of comfort.

 Near the feast of All Souls’, in November, Saint Catherine’s hosts an Evening Prayer of Remembrance, held for all who have lost loved ones. Those  families who have a loved one from our parish who has died within the past year receive a personal invitation to this liturgy. 

If you have any family members who are not parishioners to whom you would like us to send an invitation, please provide Irene with their names and addresses.