Funerals
You may make funeral arrangements by calling the church office at 818 342-4686.
Here are some reflections on the Catholic funeral and burial rites. The Catholic Order of Christian Funerals contains three clusters of Rites: (1) The vigil; (2) The funeral Mass or Eucharistic liturgy; (3) The committal or burial.
The Vigil is often held the evening before the Mass. It consists of an Introduction, Liturgy of the Word, Intercessory Prayer, Concluding Rite and Blessing. Although the Rosary, or a portion of it, may be included as part of the Vigil, the family may also gather privately to pray the Rosary at a time other than the Vigil. The Vigil may be omitted for pastoral or family reasons.
The Funeral Mass is the community's principal celebration. It is also permitted for the Funeral Mass to be held in the evening if the family so wishes. The timing of the Rites should be scheduled to best suit the greater number of those who might attend, and to connote a sense of the stages of a final journey for the deceased and one of leave-taking for family and friends.
The committal takes place at the grave as the final rite. Except for the Mass, a deacon, Sister or Brother, layperson or family member may preside at the Rites if a priest is unavailable.
When the casket is brought to the church the flowers are removed and the casket is covered with the Pall, a white covering which symbolizes our baptismal gown. Our journey of faith, begun at baptism, reaches its fulfillment in death. Flowers, national flags, or flags or insignia of associations are usually not used during the Funeral Mass because one's affiliation with the community of faith, the Church, is the reason for our prayer, not one's service to country or one's affiliation with other associations. However, these other symbols may be present at the mortuary chapel, in procession to and from church, in the vestibule of the church, and at the cemetery.
The family of the deceased can take an active role in planning and praying the funeral Mass. They may choose and proclaim the readings from Scripture. At the parish office we can offer you a booklet to help you select the scripture readings and otherwise plan the funeral Mass. Family may also carry the gifts of bread and wine to the altar during the Mass.
Although traditional burial procedure which reflects respect for the body and belief in the resurrection of the body is still normal Catholic practice, cremation is allowed by the Catholic Church for justifiable reasons. The cremated remains may be brought to the church for the Funeral Mass. These remains should never be scattered or handled in an undignified manner, but are to be interred or inurned in a cemetery columbarium.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles provides for proper Catholic burial through a series of cemeteries and mausoleums located throughout the Los Angeles area. Catholics (and non-Catholic family members) are urged to utilize a Catholic cemetery as a recommended first choice. San Fernando Mission Cemetery, located next door to the Mission, is our nearest Catholic cemetery. The phone number of the San Fernando Mission Cemetery is 818 361-7387.
Our Catholic funeral services are the means by which we proclaim our faith in the death and resurrection of the Lord, and of each Christian person. As we come to terms with the death of a loved one, or face our own death, we are consoled and strengthened by the Good News which is proclaimed in our funeral rites. Should you have any questions about any of this, please consult one of the priests.
Also, we should remember that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick should be received at the beginning of a serious illness. Its purpose is to help us through the difficult times of a serious illness by assuring us of the help of God's grace and the prayers of the community. When death appears to be near, the sick person receives Holy Communion, referred to in that case as Viaticum or food for the journey, which assures us of Jesus' presence on this final journey to the Father. Waiting until the last minute to call the priest denies the sick person the full benefit of the sacrament. The Anointing of the Sick is meant principally for the sick throughout their illness and not at their last, unconscious moment.