Funerals

- Contact Us
  
  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. - Matthew 5:4
  
  FUNERAL PLANNING AT ST. ATHANSIUS
  
  If you experience the loss of a loved one, please contact the Funeral Home first.
  
  The Funeral Director will then reach out to the St. Athanasius Parish Office
  at 502-969-3332 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) or Fr. Hardesty at
  502-314-4131 (after hours) to begin making arrangements. The Funeral Director
  will assist in scheduling services at the Church, Funeral Home, and Cemetery.
  
  Our Bereavement Ministers, Deacon Sam and Sheila King, will offer care and support to help guide your family through planning the Funeral Mass. They will assist with scheduling the service, selecting music and readings, discussing food options, and making arrangements for the Vigil and Body Transfer. Fr. Hardesty will also meet with the family during this time.
  
  On the right side of the page, you will find helpful links to Funeral Readings, Funeral Music Selections, and the Funeral Planning Sheet to assist in preparation.
  
  For additional guidance, including funeral planning, ministry support, and cremation options, please see the resources at the bottom of this page.
  
  We are here to support you during this difficult time.
- Funeral Resources
  
  Funeral Readings
  
  Funeral Music Selections
  
  Funeral Planning Sheet
Planning
- Planning
  
  Family members are invited to take an active role in planning the funeral liturgy. Planning may include selection of readings for the Mass and suggestions for music. A planning worksheet, suggestions for music, and options for readings may be found on the top right-hand side of the page.
Ministries
- Ministries
  
  Normally, family members or friends place the pall over the casket during the Introductory Rites and present the gifts of bread and wine during the Preparation of the Table and Gifts. In addition, family members or friends may serve as lectors. St. Athanasius parishioners or staff will serve as altar servers as well as ministers of music and hospitality.
Cremation
- Cremation
  
  Although the Catholic Church recommends that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral liturgy, cremation is permitted either before or after the funeral liturgy. When the funeral liturgy is celebrated in the presence of the cremated remains, the cremated remains are to be treated with the same reverence as the human body.
  
  Before the funeral Mass, a worthy vessel containing the cremated remains is carried with reverence into the church and placed on a stand or table in the place usually occupied by the coffin. The funeral Mass begins with the sprinkling of holy water and concludes with the rite of commendation. After the funeral liturgy, the cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium.