In Funeral Masses, in visits to the cemetery, and in our persistent prayers and Masses for our deceased loved ones, we give expression to our grieving and grow through sadness into more attentive lives of faith.
Internment in consecrated ground is preferred in our Catholic tradition because it testifies to our belief in the sanctity of the body and our faith in the promise of resurrection. Cremation is allowed but preferably only after a Funeral Mass is celebrated with the body present. Memorial Masses with ashes brought into church are also allowed, but the ashes of the dead should ideally then be interred in a cemetery.
We suggest you consult with Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Rock Island regarding internment (bodily remains) or inurnment (ashes) in sacred ground. Call them at 309-788-6197, visit them online here, or in person at the cemetery office: 2901 12th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201.
Rosary During the Visitation
Father can offer a rosary prior, or after the Visitation. If he is not available, a member of our Sacred Heart Ladies Sodality will be glad to lead a rosary for you.
During this time of sadness, Jesus the redeemer is our hope for resurrected life for our loved one and we pray and offer our prayers for you and your family.
Memorials to Sacred Heart Parish
If it’s the families desire to have memorials made to Sacred Heart Parish, Rock Island, IL, please be sure to notify the funeral home assisting you to include this in the obituary. They will also help ensure any money given for Masses to be offered finds its way to us.
Memorials given to the parish are used for the care and upkeep of the parish and our future needs. Sacred Heart Parish has always been very appreciative of the generosity of those who leave memorials to us. Without you, we could not care for the parish nor do all of the good work that we do to help those in need.
Funeral Mass Readings Normally, the first reading is taken from the Old Testament, the Psalm is sung by our cantor, the second reading is taken from the Pastoral Letters in the New Testament, and then we share in the Gospel. During the Easter season, New Testament readings may be used for the first and second reading.
Funeral Prayers of the Faithful (Petitions) These are written by Father with assistance of the family.
Funeral Music Our cantor will work with your family to make suggestions. Music should always be religious in nature and common for people to sing and must be reviewed with the priest in the planning process.
Words of Remembrance Please speak with Father about this and when the appropriate time during the liturgy is to share these words. The comments need to be less than five minutes and share the hope and spiritual strength which the person exhibited.
Funeral Luncheons Sacred Heart does not currently have a parish hall on site available for funeral luncheons. We suggest you consider using Schroeder Hall at St. Mary in Rock Island (just 6 blocks east of us) or another suitable location.
Download our Funeral Liturgy Planner to help you get started in planning the funeral liturgy. Please call the parish office at (309) 794-0660 as soon as possible to start the process of planning the funeral with Father and our staff.
We hope that this information will help you and your family plan for this rich moment of grace, healing and closure as we pray farewell to our loved ones, not forever, but only momentarily and all meet in Christ for eternity.