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Funeral

At St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Ho-Some, we seek to walk with you and your family through the difficult process of loss. We are here to support and guide you in the days and weeks following the funeral services. The following points may be helpful as you prepare and navigate this process:

  • When a loved one has passed away—whether expected or unexpected—it is important to contact the Parish Priest as soon as possible. The priest will guide you through the steps that need to be taken. If you have already made arrangements with a Funeral Home, they may also contact us at any time.
  • The priest or pastoral associate will assist you in working with your family and the Funeral Home to determine a suitable time for the funeral services.
  •  In making these arrangements, we take into consideration your family’s needs, the Church’s calendar, the priest’s schedule, and the availability of the Funeral Home. We will work closely with you to choose the most appropriate and convenient date for all involved.
  • We celebrates funeral Masses on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm (Requiem Mass), Saturdays at 7:00 am (Burial Mass) and on Sundays at 7:00am (Thanksgiving Mass)
  • The priest will meet with you to finalise the details of the arrangements, discuss the Funeral Liturgy, and review the options available. All services follow the Ritual for Christian Burial and Funeral Mass as prescribed by the Roman Catholic Church, in accordance with the guidelines of the Diocese of Ho. During this process, any appropriate special adaptations or requests will also be considered.
  • Pictures, mementos, flowers, and other memorabilia are welcome. Church personnel and the Funeral Home will assist in arranging these items respectfully.
  • Christian burial for our brothers and sisters in the faith is a sacred responsibility we uphold as Christians and as a Church. It is the right of every baptised person, regardless of their ability to contribute towards the expenses incurred by the Church. At the same time, gratitude remains a fundamental disposition of every Christian. While no one is denied this right, the Church welcomes any contribution or donation offered freely in a spirit of thanksgiving.

  • We are happy to assist you in pre-planning funeral arrangements with the Church, whether for yourself or for a family member. Please contact the Parish Priest to arrange an appointment, or feel free to reach out to any of our priests for assistance.

Reception of the Body

At the beginning of the liturgy, we gather at the entrance of the Church to receive the deceased for the final time into the earthly community of faith. The body or cremated remains are blessed, and we recall the person’s Baptism in Christ—through which they were buried with Him and, with Him, will rise to eternal life. The reception of the day consists of:

  • Introduction
  • Welcome
  • Sprinkling with Holy Water
  • Placement of the Pall 
  • Litany of the Saints