It is customary for the family to contact the funeral home of their choice after a loved one is deceased.  If the family member was a parishioner of St. Mary`s, the funeral home will contact a parish priest to schedule the date and time for a funeral Mass. 

There are no wakes or viewings in either the Main Church or in Our Lady's Chapel.

Music arrangements for a funeral Mass must be made with Dr. Eran Lupu (please call the office for his phone number.)  

Cemetery arrangements are made with Catholic Cemeteries at (301) 932-1766.
Click LINK.

Click HERE for Congregation For the Doctrine of the Faith Instruction Ad resurgendum cum Christo regarding the burial of the deceased and the conservation of the ashes in the case of cremation. Click HERE for the Q & A on Cremation.

Music for the Mass of Christian Burial

Although there is music throughout the entirety of the Funeral Mass, there are four specific times; however, wherein the family may make specific requests regarding the music:  1) Processional, 2) the Offertory (i.e. Preparation of the Gifts), 3) Communion, and 4) the Recessional (at which time the coffin exits).  It is church policy that all music for the Mass (including the prelude) must be sacred in nature.  For the convenience of the family, the following music selections are suggested as being appropriate: 

Processional

• Amazing Grace
• O God, Our Help in Ages Past
• Fairest Lord Jesus
• There is a Wideness in God's Mercy
• On Eagles Wings
• How Great Thou Art

Offertory (A Solo is often sung here by the Cantor)

• Ave Maria (Schubert)

Communion

• I Am the Bread of Life
• Alleluia, Sing to Jesus (Except during Lent)
• Gift of Finest Wheat
• Panis Angelicus
• Shepherd of Souls
• Wondrous Love
• In principle any good Eucharistic hymn is acceptable

Recessional

• I Know that My Redeemer Lives ("Duke Street" tune)
• America, the Beautiful
• The Strife is O'er, the Battle Won (Easter Hymn of Resurrection)
• A Mighty Fortress is Our God
• For All the Saints
• Lift High the Cross
• How Great Thou Art
• Sing with All the Saints in Glory (Beethoven's "Ode to Joy")

All Mass parts (including the Gospel and Eucharistic Acclamations) are sung, as led by the Cantor.  This includes the Responsorial Psalm, which is generally a musical setting of Psalm 23.  There is also a sung setting for the final Song of Farewell. It is highly suggested that a Staff Cantor be present in order to lead the singing during the liturgy. 

Please contact the Director of Music and Liturgy, Dr. Eran Lupu (please call 301-292-0527 for his phone number), or eranlupu@icloud.com, as soon as possible, in order to discuss the musical arrangements for the Mass.

FUNERAL OFFERINGS 

Funeral Readings:

Below are the funeral reading choices.  Please pick a First Reading, Second Reading, Gospel, and General Intercession. The priest/deacon will read the Gospel and General Intercessions.  A family member/loved one can read the First and Second Reading if you prefer.

First Readings

• Wisdom 4:7-15
• Wisdom 3:1-9
• Wisdom 3:1-6, 9
• 2 Maccabees 12:43-46
• Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9

First Reading During the Easter Season

• Revelation 14:13
• Revelation 20:11-21:1
• Acts 10:34-43
• Acts 10:34-36, 42-43
• Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7

Second Reading

• Romans 5:5-11
• Romans 6:3-9
• Romans 6:3-4, 8-9
• Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39
• Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12
• 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
• 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
• 1 Corinthians 15:51-57
• Philippians 3:20-21
• 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1
• 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• 2 John 3:1-2

Gospel Reading

• Matthew 5:1-12a
• Matthew 11:25-30
• Luke 22:33, 39-43
• John 6:37-40
• John 6:51-59
• Luke 24:13-35
• Luke 24:13-16, 28-35
• John 11:17-27
• John 11:21-27
• John 11:32-45
• John 12:23-28
• John 12:23-26
• John 14:1-6
• John 17:24-26

General Intercessions

• 401-3
• 401-2
• 401-1

 Funeral Order of the Mass

Places to Rent for Repast: