Weddings and Funerals

Weddings

Funerals

Fees

Couples who wish to be married at St. John should contact the pastor at least six months prior to the proposed date of the wedding. At least one of the parties should be a member of the parish and a member of the Ordinariate. This includes couples who are already married in civil law or who have other circumstances requiring consideration. Non-member couples wishing to celebrate a marriage in the church should speak with the pastor about their particular situation.

Normally burial rites should be organized with the assistance of a funeral director who will arrange for services at the church.

For reference, the following funeral policies may provide some guidance:

At St. John's the liturgical color for funeral masses is black or purple (white can only be used for children)
Flowers are not permitted at the altar.
Eulogies may be offered before the liturgy but not during the Mass.
"Visitation" with the family is not permitted in the church. This can be held separately at a funeral home or family residence. If it is desired to have an informal social time immediately adjacent to the funeral mass, the church hall (lower level of the parish house) may be used.

Those desiring to offer a special requiem mass near to or on the anniversary of death (7 days, 1 month, 1 year, etc.) should contact the pastor directly. The services of a funeral director are unnecessary for this since normally the body would not be present.

A current schedule of cost estimates for pastoral liturgies can be obtained from the church office. There is never a "charge" for sacraments, and no one will be refused pastoral liturgies for mere financial reasons. However, many elements surrounding these liturgies have incidental and necessary costs, whether for the use of the facilities or the services of additional professionals (e.g. musicians).

While there is no fee required for the cleric officiating at a wedding or a funeral, and he is not permitted to request one, it is reasonable and customary for families to make a personal gift consistent with their own means and the amount of extra time and preparation required for the service in question. (Weddings especially can involve quite a lot of paperwork!)