FUNERAL PLANNING
The death of a loved one is a time of grief and sorrow, and it can be overwhelming when faced with the sad task of making funeral arrangements for a loved one. Here at Saint Mary Catholic Community, our staff and volunteers are here to serve you, your family and friends during this time of planning. We do not charge any fees for funerals, including funeral brunches/luncheons/receptions. You may give a donation, if you would like.
Funeral Planning
First, contact a funeral home. Below, you will see a list of funeral homes in our area to help guide you. The funeral home will contact us to plan the date and time of the funeral. Our priest will then contact you to set up a meeting to discuss details of the Mass. You can view our Funeral Planning Sheet in advanced to know what information we need from you.
Funeral Liturgy
Readings: Chosen from the Bible by the family, in consultation with our priest.
Music: Organized by our Director of Liturgical Music after meeting with the family, provides the keyboard accompaniment and coordinates the lector, cantor and any additional musicians. This is our list of suggestions. Our list is simply a guide. You are not required to use music from this list.
Funeral Brunches/Luncheons/Receptions
Menu for the reception will be determined by the coordinators of each individual reception appropriate to the time of day the funeral is held and the amount of notice provided. Guidelines are as follows:
- Vigil held at church: Reception afterwards consisting of coffee, lemonade, water and cookies. Vigil receptions are held in the gathering space to allow people to mingle and view the memorial tables.
- Funeral Liturgy up to and including 9:30 a.m. – no burial immediately following liturgy: Brunch consisting of coffee, tea, juice, water, muffins, fruit, sliced ham (sometimes an egg and ham casserole in place of ham)
- Funeral Liturgy from 9:30 a.m. – burial immediately following liturgy: Lunch consisting of chicken and/or ham, salads, scalloped potatoes desserts, coffee, tea, lemonade, water
- Funeral Liturgy from 10:00 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. – no burial immediately following liturgy: Lunch consisting of chicken and/or ham, salads, scalloped potatoes, desserts, coffee, tea, lemonade, water
- Funeral Liturgy at 12:10 p.m. – burial immediately following liturgy and all afternoon funerals: Light Lunch consisting of pinwheel sandwiches, potato chips, fruit tray, cookies, and/or ice cream (seasonal), lemonade, coffee, tea, water
Exceptions
- Fridays during Lent: Meatless Brunch or Lunch, or Light Lunch
- Brunch – fruit, muffins, juice, coffee, and tea
- Lunch – soup, salad, bread, desserts, juice, coffee, tea
- Light Lunch – pinwheel sandwiches (cheese or tuna), potato chips, fruit tray, cookies, coffee, tea, lemonade, water
- Holiday Seasons: Light Lunch or Brunch only
- Holiday seasons consist of the day before Thanksgiving and the Friday, Saturday and Monday following Thanksgiving; two days preceding Christmas through New Year’s Day; Holy Thursday through the Tuesday following Easter
Information that we need from the family:
- Name of the deceased
- Day and time of funeral
- Phone number to contact family
- Will there be a burial after the funeral Mass
- How many family members and friends will attend
- Will there be a Vigil the evening before the funeral Mass
- Type of Liturgy (Liturgies which include Mass run longer than those without Mass)
- Will the family/friends bring any food – If yes, please indicate what food. If there is a change of plans and family/friends will not bring food, please call and notify us immediately on 406-442-5268.
List of Funeral Homes in our area
- Anderson Stevenson & Wilke Funeral Home
- Address: 3750 North Montana Ave, Helena, Montana 59602
- Phone: 406-442-8520
- Big Sky Cremations & Twitchell Funeral Service
- Address: 2 West Main, PO Box 35, East Helena, MT 59635
- Phone: 406-227-2241
- Simple Cremation
- Address: 315 E 6th Ave, Helena, MT 59601
- Phone: 1-406-410-1321
Questions?
About Funeral? Contact our priest, Fr. Tim Moriarty at tmoriarty@stmaryhelena.org
About Funeral Liturgy? Contact our Director of Liturgical Music, Dr. Wendy Yuen at wyuen@stmaryhelena.org
About Funeral Brunches/Luncheons/Receptions? Contact our Director of Pastoral Care, Deb Kralicek at dkralicek@stmaryhelena.org
