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The Prayer And Worship Office: Funeral Rite Guidelines - The Wife
of A Deacon

I.  INTRODUCTION

The Order of Christian Funerals celebrates the Church’s faith in the crucified and risen Jesus and the believer’s share in that victory over death.  It also marks the end of the believer’s life on earth, and gives thanks for that life.   The death of a deacon’s wife or widow is of great concern to the community of the Diocese of Albany.  The diocese will provide any assistance that the family may desire in planning the liturgy for the deceased wife of a deacon and in communicating her death to the diocesan community.   The celebration of a passing from human life needs to be ritualized and celebrated.  Those responsible for planning these ritual moments must take into consideration the rites of the Church as found in the Order of Christian Funerals as well as the appropriate needs and customs of the family and parish.   Part I of the Order of Christian Funerals is divided into three groups of rites that correspond to the three principal ritual moments in the funerals of Christians:  Vigil and Related Rites and Prayers; Funeral Liturgy; and Rite of Committal.  The minister, in consultation with those concerned, chooses, from within these three groups of rites, the options that best correspond to the particular needs and customs of the mourners (Order of Christian Funerals §50).   II.  PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW AT THE TIME OF DEATH   1.  Please contact one of the following Directors of the Diaconate and the Bishop’s Office.  They will initiate communication within the deacon community.               Deacon Tim McAuliffe       518.869.0454                 McAwful44@aol.com               Deacon Frank Lukovits      518.766.5135                 FLUKO@taconic.net               Deacon Neil Hook             518.869.0602                 DeaconJNH@verizon.net               Bishop’s Office                518.453.6611   2.  Obtain the pre-arrangement form from the appropriate source (Family/Executor, Deacon Office) prior to any planning.  The sample form begins on the following page.   3.  Family members, parish priests/deacons, parish life director, liturgy team, musicians would be consulted in planning the funeral rites.  It would be helpful to involve the homilist(s) designated for the various rites as well.   The Office of Prayer and Worship (518.453.6645), Elizabeth Simcoe, director (home 518.489.1508), will be at the service of the parish family for any plans and consultation needed.

Funeral Instructions for the Wife of a Deacon