The following information is provided as a guideline to help you with your funeral arrangements in the Parish of St Brigid.
It tells you some of the things you have to do, and matters that need to be considered. Many of these can be done through the Funeral Director. However, it is very important that you contact the Parish Priest as soon as possible before making any arrangements with the Funeral Director. You should then contact a Funeral Director. The following are locally available:
- McAllister Funeral Directors, Wishaw. 01698 356588
- Sherry Funeral Directors, Motherwell. 01698 264000
- Co-op Funeral Directors, Wishaw. 01698 372378
- McGregor and Smith, Manse Road, Newmains. 01698 387 444
All offer a 24-hour service and prefer to be called as soon as possible after the death has occurred. Do not wait until morning before contacting them.
If death occurs in a hospital or nursing home, the doctor there will issue a Medical Certificate stating the cause of death. In some cases the family doctor will do this from his or her surgery. The nursing staff will be able to advise. Sometimes when the death is sudden or unexplained, it is reported to the Procurator Fiscal. When the Fiscal's investigations are complete, you will be notified and issued with a Death Certificate.
Registering A Death
The Funeral Director cannot register the death for you. You - or a relative, executor or legal representative - must register the death. This must be done within 8 days, but preferably as soon as possible, and must be before the burial or cremation takes place. Indeed, no other arrangements can be made until the Medical Certificate is issued. The death may be registered either in the registration area where the death occurred or in the area where the deceased normally resided. For example, for someone dying at Hairmyres Hospital, who normally lived in Newmains, the death could be registered either in East Kilbride or the Civic Centre, Motherwell.
When registering a death you will need to take with you:
- The Medical Certificate.
- The deceased’s birth (and, if appropriate, marriage certificates) and also their medical card, if available.
- Pension books, if applicable.
The Registrar will give you:
- Form 14 (free of charge). This should be given to the Funeral Director.
- Form BD8 (free of charge). This should be given to the D.S.S. for benefits. (Speak to your Funeral Director for help and advice on financial help for Funeral expenses available.)
- Death Certificate (to be paid for, £8.00. This is required for pensions, insurance and banking purposes. Further copies of this can be obtained at any time in the future as required.)
The Funeral Director will be able to help and advise you with the above. Arrangements which concern the Church are made directly with the Parish Priest.
Arrangements for a funeral should only be finalised after consultation and agreement of the Parish Priest.
Rosary
If you wish, the Rosary can be said each evening in the home at a time to suit the family. A decade of the Rosary can also be said immediately before the remains are removed to the Church. There are a some volunteers in the parish who will lead the Rosary. If you have someone among family and friends of deceased who will do this for you, please advise the Parish Priest.
TIME OF MASS
Mass is celebrated in this parish at 10:00 a.m. each weekday.
Funeral Masses will normally be celebrated at this time.
The Reception of the body of the deceased person will be received into the church at....
READINGS
The readings at Mass:
First Reading - from the Old Testament
Psalm -can also be sung
Second Reading - from the New Testament
The priest will make available a selection from which the family can choose. The family can supply the readers (one or two) for the Mass but if this is not practical, the Parish will provide a Reader.
Offertory
This can be undertaken by relatives/friends of the deceased, again more guidance will be given by the Parish Priest.
Hymns
There are normally four hymns required:
Entrance Hymn
Offertory Hymn
Communion Hymn (may need two hymns here)
Reflection Hymn
Recessional Hymn
At the Requiem Mass all music used should be sacred music. The hymnal used in St Brigid’s is “Hymns Old and New”. Again choice of hymns will be in guidance with the Parish Priest.
The Parish Hall
To hire the Parish Hall for you Funeral meal, please contact......... There is no charge for the hire of the hall for a Funeral.
Parking
There is ample parking space in the church grounds, all clearly marked. The central area outside the Church and the chapel house should be kept clear to allow easy access for the hearse. After Mass, mourners are asked to allow the hearse and 'official' cars to be the first to leave the church grounds. Others should then follow the cortege to the place of burial.