Facing Death Together: Parish Funerals

What work must we do in the wake of death? Where do we begin? How do we proceed to face death? To face death together as a parish?Here Margaret Smith helps you to begin to answer these questions by exploring the riches of the Order of Christian Funerals. In this book you will find an engaging discussion of the anthropology of death; an accessible summary of the OCFs theology; practical advice for enacting the rites with dignity; true stories of pastoral situations, good and bad; a vision for organizing funerals in a context of pastoral care; notes toward rites to use when disconnecting life-support, when organs are donated or bodies are given to science after death.This is an invaluable resource for all parish leaders who recognize their responsibility to minister to the dying, the dead, and those who mourn, and who recognize that the whole parish shares in this awesome experience of the Paschal Mystery. AWARDS:Catholic Press Association 1999 Book Award winner, second place, in pastoral ministry

Published by Liturgy Training Publications.