Funerals: Scripture-based Homilies
  • God's idea   by James F. Colaianni Sr.
    Knowing God, experiencing God's presence, loving God, is what gives final meaning to all who now and forevermore rest in the arms of Jesus.
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    Occasion: Funeral homily
    Readings: John 6:37-40
  • A dwelling place   by Ann O'Connor
    Heaven really is a house. And so we can trust that the one who has died—the one whose life we are celebrating today—is dwelling in that house, with Jesus and God and everyone else who has gone before us.  More...
    Occasion: Funeral homily
    Readings: Job 19:1, 23-27a; Psalm 122:1-2, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39; John 14:1-6
  • Between the mystery of life and death   by Bishop Robert F. Morneau
    We came from God and we are returning to God. The journey between life and death is to be one of love, forgiveness, and compassion. If so, we will go from glory to glory.  More...
    Occasion: Funeral homily
    Readings: John 14:1-6
  • Go forth and do likewise   by Gregory F. Augustine Pierce
    N. did most of her "Good Samaritaning" in the midst of the hustle and bustle of her busy life. She just did what needed to be done in her daily work on her job, with her family and friends, in her community, and here in the church.  More...
    Occasion: Funeral homily
    Readings: Luke 10:25-37
  • Take a deep breath   by Patrice J. Tuohy
    The last breath of our loved one may seem to signal the end of the life we knew, but it actually punctuates the reality of eternal life. Our beloved has been transformed by love, and we will be, too, if we take a deep breath and allow ourselves to be filled with God's Spirit.  More...
    Occasion: Funeral homily
    Readings: The Passion according to Mark: Mark 15:33-39
  • The dance of life   by Father Andrew Carl Wisdom O.P.
    Christians know that death is the essential prelude to the opening act of eternal life with God, that eternal dance for which we are all destined.  More...
    Occasion: Funeral homily
    Readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 42:2, 3, 5cdef; 43:3, 4, 5; Romans 6:3-9; John 14:1-6
  • The journey home   by Father George Fitzgerald C.S.P.
    Passing from life to death, and to new life, is but one more way station on the pilgrimage home.  More...
    Occasion: Funeral homily
    Readings: Job 19:1, 23-27a; Psalm 23:1-3, 4, 5-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:1-6
  • Letting go   by Father Terry Keehan
    Let us be grateful that our lives have been enriched by this person who has showed us the way, some truth, and a lot of life.  More...
    Occasion: Funeral homily
    Readings: John 14:1-6
  • We belong to God   by Father Larry Janowski O.F.M.
    We do not grieve as if we had no hope. Why? Because we belong to God. Even in death we belong to God and are not lost.  More...
    Occasion: Funeral homily
    Readings: Job:19:1, 23-27a; Matthew 11:25-30
  • Trust in the unseen   by Father Paul Boudreau
    Just like a tree in the forest, we see only the visible half of what we believe. But we trust in what we don't see and we hope in what lies beyond our understanding.  More...
    Occasion: Funeral homily
    Readings: Wisdom 3:1-9; Psalm 23:1-3, 4, 5-6; Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39; John 14:1-6
  • There is a river   by Rev. Mary Kendrick Moore
    WE GATHER TOGETHER this day because we are in need of God's constant mercy. We seek refuge in God's grace from the cruel pangs of death and the waves of grief that rush in. The Psalms are often a constant companion at a time of loss, perhaps because the Psalmists embrace the height and breadth of our life experience-both celebration of life's gifts and the pain and anger when life deals us great blows.  More...
    Occasion: Funeral homily
    Readings: Psalm 46
  • They might not have been   by Ann O'Connor
    A certain number of years ago our loved one came into the world. He learned to walk and talk, went to school and learned to read and do math, made friends and grew up, worked and loved and changed the life of every single person she encountered—simply because she was.  More...
    Readings: Lamentations 3:17-26; Psalm 63:2,3-4,5-6,8-9; 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1; Matthew 5:1-12a
  • We can see clearly now   by Ann O'Connor
    When a loved one dies, it’s as if we are forced to put on a new and uncomfortable set of lenses through which we must now view the world. Everything seems slightly skewed and off-balance—even the light seems different . . .  More...
    Occasion: Funeral homily
    Readings: Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9; Philippians 3:20-21; Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a