Flowers & Pictures
Participation in the Funeral

Readings

Music Selection

You have recently lost someone dear to you. Now, after the funeral and other tasks, you are faced with the difficult, but important, need to mourn. This is a necessary part of healing. 

Your St Stephen community has support for you on this journey. Through our TLC Ministry, Those Left Coping, we have parishioners willing to guide you. They have recently experienced their own unique journey of grief and participated in resources listed below.

Should you need to reach out to them, they can guide you to these resources.  Some of these resources are:

     Grief Share, a formal thirteen-week Christian based support group that addresses all aspects of grief.

     Another Catholic church in our area offers periodic formal grief support led by licensed mental health counselors.

     Additionally, there is a nationwide program for anyone whose loss involved a person who served in the military.

It can be difficult to reach out and accept support. Many are blessed to be surrounded by family and friends willing to journey with you.  However, should you need to reach out to your church community, consider contacting  the Parish Office at 813-689-4900.
 

On behalf of the Parish Community of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Riverview, Florida, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy at the loss of your loved one.

The first step in planning a Funeral Mass is to contact your Funeral Home.  They are the ones that will set the date and time of the Funeral Liturgy, working with the staff and Clergy of St. Stephen.  Some of the info that will be requested of you in the coming days includes:

• Would you like us to publish your loved ones's name in our Prayers of the Faithful and on social media?
• Is your loved one going to be cremated, or will his/her body be in a casket?  The Catholic Church teaches that cremated remains should be buried together in a place reserved for burials.  They should not be divided, nor stored in a personal home. 
• Will the funeral be in the church or chapel?
• Will the funeral be live-streamed?  We provide the personnel needed.
• Where and when will your loved-one be buried?

SECOND STEP: A meeting with a member of our Bereavement Ministry will be set by our church staff.  At this meeting, you'll be able to choose which readings and songs you would like at your loved one's Funeral Liturgy. Please know that our Bereavement Ministry can choose appropriate readings and songs for your loved one's Funeral Liturgy, if you prefer.

Music Suggestions and Scripture Readings appropriate for the Catholic Funeral Rite are shown below. They are beautiful passages of comfort, peace, and hope. 

We realize this is a difficult time, so we put this information together in order to assist you in understanding and planning for the Funeral.  It will explain some of the rituals and symbols which are used in honoring the life of your loved one, and it also contains a selection of readings and prayers.

Flowers & Pictures     Participation in the Funeral

Readings                         Music Selection