A Parish Guide for Bereavement Ministry & Funeral Planning

The death of a loved one is a shock and planning a funeral can feel like a burden in a time of stress and grief. Created for pastoral ministers, deacons, pastors and parish leaders, this booklet is a helpful resource to pastorally accompany Catholic funeral planning - either in advance of or after the death of a loved one. It is also a comforting planning tool for Catholics to have at home when facing aging or illness. Keep copies of this essential resource in your chapel or hand them out to families after an anointing.

Jill Maria Murdy is in her 17th year as Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Frances Cabrini Parish, West Bend, WI. She holds a B.S. in Music from Dickinson State University and a Master's in Liturgical Theology from the University of Notre Dame. She also has a strong monastic background after spending many years ad as a Benedictine.

Jill Maria is also a busy speaker and writer. She has been a frequent contributor to "Sourcebook." Her article and prayer service on sexual abuse won an award from the American and Canadian Catholic Press Association.