The parish encourages the family to be fully involved in planning their loved one's funeral liturgy. In the liturgy, the life of faith of the deceased is celebrated; we commend him or her to the Lord, we support and pray for all those who mourn, and we seek strength in the promise of the Lord that he will not forget his own.

The Undertaker notifies the Parish Office about the funeral so arrangements can be made.

In planning the liturgy, the family are invited to:

• Provide the priest with some biographical information about the deceased that will help him in preparing the funeral homily.
• Select the readings and responsorial psalm for the funeral Mass. One or more family members are encouraged to read.
• Choose or compose the general intercessions, which come after the homily. One or more family members should read the general intercessions.
• Choose family members or friends of the deceased to bring the gifts of bread and wine to the altar. (The presentation of the gifts is not the time to carry up personal memorabilia or symbols of the life of the deceased. The best time is at the beginning of the Mass or during the final commendation and farewell).
• Choose the hymns and music for the funeral Mass.

Bethany Group
The Bethany Bereavement Support Group is a voluntary parish based ministry of bereaved people whose aim is to support others on their grieving journey. The group contact is Deirdre O’Muiri (Phone: 01-2883086).

Members are trained to:

• Listen with care and compassion
• Companion those who are making the lonely journey from grief to healing
• Encourage those who need to tell their story of loss
• Understand feeling of anger, fear, guilt and depression

This Group visits the homes of recently bereaved people to offer help and support and especially to listen. They also run a monthly drop-in meeting on the last Tuesday of every month, at 7.30 p.m. in The Murray Centre, where all are very welcome to attend. For more information please phone 087 9373722.