Bereavement is a time of enormous change and upheaval. It is hard to comprehend the impact this loss will have on our lives. This is a time when we yearn for quiet remembering and reflection, and yet there is so much to do.
If this is the first time you are experiencing the loss of someone close to you, you may not know what to do or where to begin. The members of the Lazarus Ministry can help you to plan the funeral Mass and be there to support you as you move through the bereavement process.
Whether you need to lean on us a lot or only a little is up to you – we will be there for you when and how you need us.
Our ministry includes:
– First Response and Basic Needs
– Funeral Mass Planning
– Follow up Support
– Annual Memorial Mass
– Referral to Long-Term Bereavement Groups
To learn more about the Lazarus Ministry of St James the Less, call the rectory at 732-521-0100.
Funeral Readings and Prayers
Click readings below to download…
| Universal Prayers for Funerals | Suggested Funeral Hymns | (Easter readings are read in lieu of OT readings during Easter-Pentecost) |
| Old Testament Readings | New Testament Readings | Easter Season Readings |
| Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 | 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 Short Form | Acts 10:34-36, 42-43 |
| Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 | 1 John 3:1-2 | Revelation of John 14:13 |
| Isaiah 43:1-5 | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 | Revelation of John 20:11 – 21:1 |
| Proverbs 31:10-31 (The Worthy Wife) | 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1 | Revelation of John 21:1-5, 6-7 |
| Wisdom 3:1-9 Long Form | Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 | |
| Wisdom 3:1-6, 9 Short Form | Romans 5:5-11 | |
| Romans 6:3-9 Long Form | ||
| Romans 14:7-9, 10b–12 | ||
| 2 Timothy 4:1-8 |
St James the Less Roman Catholic Church 