"I am the resurrection and the life;
he who believes in me, though he die,
yet shall he live, and whoever lives
and believes in me shall never die."
(John 11:25-26)

On behalf of the Parish Community of St. Charles Borromeo, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy at the loss of your loved one.

Please know that we are here to help you and support you during this difficult time. One of our staff will assist you in the planning of the Mass of Christian Burial, and suggest ways for family and friends to be personally involved.

Music Suggestions and Scripture Readings appropriate for the Catholic Funeral Rite are shown below. They are beautiful passages of comfort, peace, and hope. May God’s strength and peace be with you.

For reservation of the church for the Funeral Mass please call the parish office, 713-692-6303
To hire a musician for the Funeral Mass, please hire a musician who knows how to sign in a catholic mass. 

Funeral Arrangements

First Step

Your first step in planning a Funeral is to call a local Funeral Home. 

If you decide to have a Mass of Christian Burial in the church, the Funereal Home will contact the church to arrange the day and time of the Mass of Christian Burial.

In Houston, Roman Catholic Priests are not allowed to celebrate masses at funeral homes.

However, at the funeral home the priest or deacon may lead prayers, proclaim the Word of God, preach and bless the body of the deceased but there is no Mass with consecration and communion.  If you are planning to do all the services at the funeral home, contact a deacon directly to arrange with him to go there.

If you wish to have the Holy Mass celebrated during the funeral, you need to request to the funeral home to bring the body of the deceased to the church.

The funeral may have 3 main parts:

  1. Vigil and/or Rosary at the funeral home in the afternoon or evening.

  2. Mass of Christian Burial in the church or Service in the Funeral Home in the morning.

  3. Burial Rite at the cemetery. 

Second Step – Readings and Prayers
If you decided to have a Funeral Mass, a member of our staff may assit you in selecting the readings and prayers. Readings from the New Testament during Easter Time: Only these readings may be selected as the First Reading during Easter Time: 

1. Acts 10:34-43 (short form, 10:34-36, 42-43)
2. Revelation 14:13
3. Revelation 20:11—21:1
4. Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7

CREMATION
If the deceased is to be cremated,  the Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated with the cremated remains present.  Church law requires the cremated remains be laid to rest in consecrated ground, either buried or kept in a mausoleum.

CELEBRATING THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Liturgical signs and symbols affirm our Christian belief during the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial:

• The Easter candle reminds us of Christ’s presence among the Christian community, His victory over sin and death, and our share in the victory by virtue of our baptism.
• The casket is sprinkled with holy water reminding us of the saving waters of baptism.
• The funeral pall reminds us of the white garment worn at baptism when we were born into eternal life.
• Incense is used during funerals as a sign of honoring the body of the deceased and is a symbol of our prayers rising to heaven before God.

Cost?

• Music: The family of the deceased will hire and pay for the musicians. 
• Church: A donation is welcome but not mandatory.
• Clergy: A free will offering is welcome but not mandatory.

1. Hechos 10: 34-43 (forma corta, 10: 34-36, 42-43)
2.  Apocalipsis 14:13
3. Apocalipsis 20: 11—21: 1
4. Apocalipsis 21: 1-5a, 6b-7

• La vela del cirio Pascua nos recuerda la presencia de Cristo en la comunidad cristiana, su victoria sobre el pecado y la muerte, y nuestra participación en la victoria en virtud de nuestro bautismo.
• El ataúd es rociado con agua bendita que nos recuerda las aguas salvadoras del bautismo.
• El palio funeral que se coloca sobre el feretro nos recuerda la vestimenta blanca que usamos en el bautismo cuando nacimos en la vida eterna.
• El incienso se usa durante los funerales como un signo de honrar el cuerpo del difunto y es un símbolo de nuestras oraciones que se elevan al cielo ante Dios.