A Catholic Funeral

“The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord” (Rm 14:7-12)

At a Catholic funeral the community gathers to say farewell to the person who has died and entrust that person to God’s loving care. The death of a Christian calls the faith community to proclaim in hope and trust that, because of the saving death and resurrection of Jesus, life is changed, not ended.

Funerals are organized in our Parish after discussion with the Funeral Directors.

The Parish Office must wait until the Funeral Director has contacted us to the confirm the funeral as cemetery and crematorium times and dates must be in line with your booking at the Church.

The ritual book for Catholic funerals is called the Order of Christian Funerals. The funeral liturgy has a formal structure with a set pattern of readings, homily, prayers, symbols and gestures. It may include the celebration of Eucharist depending on family and other circumstances.

The Priest who will celebrate the Mass will meet with the family and organize the Mass with you. Our four churches have audio and sound and staff can assist with providing you with information.

Fr Shabin and Fr Tuong will officiate at all funerals, if you would like visiting Priest to be present, he can certainly concelebrate with our priests.

The Parish Office has booklet templates on file in both English and Italian, please ask them for copy if you would like help planning the ceremony.

The fee to the Church is $750 being a donation towards the restoration, maintenance of the church building, the use of the Church and church grounds.

If you transfer online, please put the deceased name in the reference line.

Church Cost  $300

Parish of Holy Spirit and St Anthony’s 

BSB: 083 347

Account: 573 502 200

St Mary’s Church Account  (Thornbury) 

BSB: 083 347

Account: 557 931 064

St Joseph’s Church Account (Northcote) 

BSB: 083 347

Account: 663 182 650

Presbytery Account

A separate offering of $450 is payable to Fr Shabin or Fr Tuong as he is your celebrant.

St Mary’s Presbytery Account 

BSB: 083 347 

Account: 857 260 792