INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
OLS Columbarium Gardens
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church
1728 Oxmoor Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
205-871-8121
www.ourladyofsorrows.com
Personal Planner
Name:
____________________________
Date:
____________________________
Columbarium Niche#: ________________
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Email: [email protected]
CHURCH WEBSITE: www.ourladyofsorrows.com
Funeral Planning Documents:
Documents related to funeral preferences should not be kept in a safe deposit box, as they may be needed
at night, on weekends, or holidays. It is best to keep them in a safe but accessible place. For maximum
benefit, give a photocopy of your documents to a close friend or relative who lives outside your home.
Your Will:
No matter how large or small your estate, it is essential that you prepare a will and revise it regularly. A will
is the least expensive way to protect your life’s work and savings. If you die without a will, state law and a
probate judge will determine who will administer your estate, who will handle your finances, and who will
be the guardian of your minor children.
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Living Will:
With advances in medical science, issues of quality of life and the right to die with dignity are receiving
increased attention. By discussing these issues, you and your family can avoid any uncertainty that could
arise at the difficult time of a serious, prolonged illness. If you have strong feelings regarding these issues,
you may sign a Living Will. For more information, including Living Will forms appropriate for your state,
contact the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization at 800-668-8898, or visit their website at
www.caringinfo.org.
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Some hymns from the Gather hymnal to consider in your planning:
COMMUNION SONG
GATHERING SONG
#853 - Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (not during Lent)
#612 - Amazing Grace
#638 - Eye Has Not Seen
#494 - How Great Thou Art
#507 - I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
#771 - Jerusalem, My Happy Home
#317 - O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Advent only)
#611 - On Eagle’s Wings
#874 - Precious Lord, Take My Hand
#774 - Shall We Gather at the River
#442 - Sing With All the Saints in Glory (not during Lent)
#770 - Soon and Very Soon
#699 - We Have Been Told
#649 - You Are Mine
#608 - Be Not Afraid
#838 - Eat This Bread
#828 - I Am The Bread of Life
#817 - Jesus, Wine of Peace
#833 - Now in this Banquet
(good for Advent or Lent)
#611 - On Eagle’s Wings
#814 - Taste and See
#844 - Without Seeing You
(good for Easter or anytime)
SONG OF SENDING FORTH
#494 - How Great Thou Art
#390 - Jerusalem, My Destiny (good for Lent)
#771 - Jerusalem, My Happy Home
#528 - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You
#442 - Sing with all the Saints in Glory
#319 - Walk in the Reign (good for Advent)
#772 - We Shall Rise Again
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
#23 - Psalm 16 - Keep Me Safe, O God
#31 - Psalm 23 - Shepherd Me, O God
#36 - Psalm 25 - To You, O Lord (good for Advent)
#38 - Psalm 27 - In the Land of the Living
#39 - Psalm 27 - The Lord is My Light
#80 - Psalm 85 - Come, O Lord, and Set Us Free
(528 and 442 are the same melody, different text)
(good for Advent)
#99 - Psalm 103 - The Lord is Kind and Merciful
#100 - Psalm 103 - The Lord is Kind and Merciful
#118 - Psalm 121 - I Lift Up My Eyes
PRESENTATION SONG
#399 - Deep Within
#608 - Be Not Afraid
#647 - Come to Me
#638 - Eye Has Not Seen
#860 - I, the Lord
#708 - I Danced in the Morning (good for Lent)
#578 - Lord of All Hopefulness
#328 - My Soul in Stillness Waits (Advent only)
#611 - On Eagle’s Wings
#621 - Only in God
#619 - The Lord is Near
#699 - We Have Been Told
#649 - You are Mine
#604 - You are Near
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Our Lady of Sorrows
Catholic Church
Funeral Planning Guide
Introduction
The death of a loved one is a difficult time, wrought with emotion. Added to that is the need to plan funeral services and burial
for the deceased. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church community is able to assist a family with funeral planning needs by
offering assistance with the arrangements and guidance to the family.
Planning a funeral service can seem to be an insurmountable task. However, consultation with OLS’s staff and a funeral
home will ease the process considerably and enable you to plan a personal service that suits the wishes of the deceased as
well as the emotional, spiritual and financial needs of the family.
Some Scripture Readings to consider in your planning:
Our Lady of Sorrows
When a death occurs please notify the Pastor by calling the Church office. If it is after regular office hours, an emergency
number is available. This number is monitored at all times.
The priests and staff of Our Lady of Sorrows will assist you with the following:
Scheduling - the staff will work with your family (and the funeral home you have chosen) to coordinate dates and
times for funeral services.
Visitation - if you wish, visitation may be held at the church or at the funeral home. When visitation is held the
evening before the funeral mass, a vigil service normally concludes the period of visitation.
Funeral Mass - the church offers a guide for planning a funeral Mass (Through Death to Life). Suggestions for
readings, music and prayers are provided. The staff will assist you in choosing readings, music, and prayers
suitable for the service and will contact musicians and liturgical ministers.
Funeral Luncheon - upon request, a luncheon can be held in the church facility following the funeral service.
While the family normally arranges to have this catered, the church will provide drinks and dessert.
Burial - Our Lady of Sorrows Columbarium is available for those parishioners who wish to have their final resting
place on the church grounds. At the time of need, the staff will help with procurement of a niche or use of a
previously purchased niche.
The Funeral Home
Funeral home-personnel are compassionate, knowledgeable people who are able to help the family of the deceased with all
aspects of burial as well as other details which require attention. Some of the arrangements with which a funeral home can
assist include:
­ Transportation of the deceased from home or hospital to the funeral home, crematory and church.
­ Planning of funeral services including time and date, inclusion of and location of visitation.
­ Determining burial plans. The funeral home will assist with choosing a burial plot, mausoleum or columbarium as
well as casket or urn.
­ If cremation is chosen, the funeral home will make all the necessary arrangements.
­ Placement of obituaries in the local newspapers and assistance with writing them.
­ Notification to the Social Security office.
­ Ordering prayer cards for distribution at the visitation.
­ Ordering death certificates.
­ Assistance with other arrangements or details including referrals to florists and musicians.
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Hebrew Scripture Readings
New Testament Readings
Gospel Readings
Daniel 12:1-3
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 5:1-12a
Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9
Acts 10:34-36, 42-43
Matthew 11:25-30
Job 19:1, 23-27
1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Matthew 25:1-13
Lamentations 3:17-26
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Matthew 25:31-46
2 Maccabees 12:43-46
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
Mark 15:33-39, 16:1-6
Wisdom 3:1-9
2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1 2
Mark 15:33-39
Wisdom 3:1-6, 9
Corinthians 5:1, 6-10 1
Luke 7:11-17
Wisdom 4:7-15
John 3:1-2
Luke 12:35-40
1 John 3:14-16
Luke 23:33, 39-43
Phillipians 3:20-21
Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53, 24:1-6a
Revelation 14:13
Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53
Revelation 20:11-21:1
Luke 24:13-35
Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7
Luke 24:13-16, 28-35
Romans 5:5-11
John 5:24-29
Romans 5:17-21
John 6:37-40
Romans 6:3-9
John 6:51-59
Romans 6:3-4, 8-9
John 11:17-27
Romans 8:14-23
John 11:21-27
Romans 8:31 b-35, 37-39
John 11:32-45
Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12
John 12:23-28
Thessalonians 4:13-18
John 12:23-26
2 Timothy 2:8-13
John 14:1-6
John 17:24-26
John 19:17-18, 25-39
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Part Three: Saying the Last Good-Bye
In addition to helping with funeral arrangements at the time of death, most funeral homes offer pre-planning services. This
enables the family to make arrangements in a less pressured and more thoughtful environment. OLS Parish offices offer preplanning services when considering the OLS Columbarium Gardens.
Funeral Homes
The following is a list of funeral homes in the Birmingham area:
(1)
Concerning my inurnment. I would prefer: Columbarium Service
__ For the public
__ For my family only
Abanks Mortuary & Crematory, 808 5th Avenue N., Birmingham, 322-9050
Charter Funeral Home & Crematory, 2521 Hwy. 31, Calera, 621-0800
Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home, 2701 John Hawkins Pkwy., Hoover, 987-0068
John Rideout’s Elmwood Chapel, 800 Dennison Ave. SW, 251-7227
John Rideout’s Roebuck Chapel, 9012 Parkway East, 833-7171
John Rideout’s Southern Heritage, 475 Cahaba Valley Rd., Pelham, 988-3511
John Rideout’s Valley Chapel, 1802 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, 879-3401
Lakeshore Memorial Chapel, 131 Oxmoor Ct., 942-4441
Rideout’s Cremation Service, 2116 University Blvd., 251-5254
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church does not endorse or recommend any funeral home or crematory.
(2) I would like the following Scripture Reading proclaimed:
Funeral Planning Resources
The following websites offer comprehensive information on funeral planning, including a downloadable funeral planning
guide, cremation options, grief support and much more.
Catholic Funerals: A Guide
http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/liturgylResources/OCF/FuneralsGuide.pdf
(3) I would like the following song sung:
Funeral Planning - Everything You Need to Know about Funerals, Funeral Homes and Grief Support
http://www.funeralplan.com
(4) Other requests that I would like to have considered for my Service of Inurnment are:
Funeral Help Program - The Consumer’s Guide to Going in Style Without Going in Debt
http://wn.w-funeral-help/options.html
Cremation Information
www.cremation.com
Cremation Urns
Our Lady of Sorrows’ Columbarium niche would require an urn be no larger than 6½” Diameter x 9¾” Tall. Urns can be
purchased from local funeral homes or the OLS Ave Maria Shop in the Church Vestibule.
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Other Resources
(9)
Veteran’s Affairs Benefits: There are numerous benefits available to veterans, especially those who have served during
wartime. Some of these include pension, aid assistance, healthcare, prescription assistance, and headstone, grave markers,
and burial flags. Contact the VA at either http://www.va.state.al.us or at http://www.va.gov. The local VA Medical Center is
located at 809 Green Springs Highway, Suite 100, Homewood, AL 35209, ph#: 205-916-2700. It is advisable to go to the
service center to apply for benefits with the assistance of a service officer. The office hours are M-F from 7:30-4:30.
(10) I would like the following to serve
Social Security Benefits: There are survivor benefits and a one-time lump sum death benefit of $255 available through the
Social Security Administration. Upon death, immediately contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to notify them of a
loved one’s passing. Their website is also very helpful and offers detailed information on benefits: http://www.ssa.gov or
http://ssa.gov/pubs/deathbenefits.htm
Funeral Planning Information: The following websites offer comprehensive information on funeral planning, including
downloadable funeral planning guide, cremation options, grief support and much more.
http://www.funeral-help.com/options.html or http://www.funeralplan.com
I would like the following person to be asked to provide “Words of Welcome and
Remembrance”.
as Lectors:
as Eucharistic Ministers:
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) provides free brochures explaining the Funeral Rule. Write Public Reference, Federal
Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580, and ask for: Funerals: a Consumer Guide, or telephone 202-326-2222 (TDD
202-326-2502) in Washington; 404-347-4836 for the Atlanta regional office.
The website for obtaining information or making a complaint is www.ftc.gov
Funeral Consumers Alliance is the only national funeral consumer advocacy group and it offers many helpful publications
at minimal cost. The address is FCA, 33 Patchen Road, So. Burlington, VT 05403; telephone 800-765-0107 to join or order
materials, or go to www.funerals.org
(11) I would like the following to participate in the procession of gifts at the Offertory:
AARP, a non-profit, non-partisan organization of and for seniors, publishes Funeral Goods and Services and Prepaying Your
Funeral. For free copies go to www.aarp.org/contacts/ or write AARP Fulfillment, 602 E Street, Washington, D.C. 20049.
Local Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorneys and general information on power of attorney and living wills: (1)
Alabama Bar Association, http://www.alabar.org/public/lifeplan.cfm (2) Legal Counsel for the Elderly, A University of
Alabama Law School Clinical Program, http://www.uaelderlaw.org/advance/7.html (3) Birmingham Bar Association,
http://birminghambar.org/attorney locator action.cfm
(12) Other requests that I would like to be considered for this service are:
Caregiver Support Groups and literature: There are numerous caregiver support groups in our area that offer emotional
support to caregivers and the services are generally free. Some are specifically targeted at the caregivers of Alzheimers and
dementia patients and others are general in nature. A listing of local caregiver support groups can be found at
http://alzca.org/support.html Alzheimers of Central Alabama offers many caregiver publications and audiovisual materials
for check out. A listing of available resources can be viewed at http://alzca.org/books.html. Some national caregiver resources
are available at http://www.caregiver.com/index.html or http://www.caregiving.org
Hospice: There are numerous local hospice agencies that provide end of life care and your physician can make a referral for
you. The following websites offer excellent information on the hospice concept:
http://hospicefoundation.org and http://www.hospicenet.org
Grief and Bereavement support groups, counseling and literature: The best resource for local grief support groups is the
following website http://griefandlosssupportbirmingham.com. It offers numerous locations where emotional support can be
accessed and the services are normally provided.
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(5) Some special concerns that I would like to have included in the Prayers of the
Faithful are:
Relatives and Friends To Be Contacted
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
(6) At funerals, a funeral pall is draped over the casket/urn at the beginning of the liturgy.
The pall reminds us of the garment given at baptism and symbolizing our life in Christ. It also
signifies that all are equal in the eyes of God. Family members or friends are encouraged to
place the pall.
I would like the following to place the pall upon my
casket/cremains:
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
I would like the following to serve as Pall Bearers:
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
(7) I would like the following symbol of Christian life carried in procession
and placed upon my casket:
___ Crucifix
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
___ Bible
I would like it carried and placed by:
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
(8) At funerals with an urn, the funeral pall is placed on the Ossuary.
I would like the following to serve as Ossuary Bearers:
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
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4
Part Two: FUNERAL MASS
and/or Scripture Service
Organizations To Be Contacted
Choose either (A) or (B):
(A) I would prefer that a Mass be celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church
(B) I would prefer only a Scripture Service be celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows
Catholic Church
Personal Information
My Name: ________________________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________________________
At this Mass or Scripture Service:
Birthdate: ____________________ Birthplace (City & State): _________________________________________
(1) I would like these songs sung:
Social Security #:_________________________ U.S. Armed Forces Serial #:________________________
Occupation:_______________________________________________________________________________
My Father’s Name:_________________________________________________________________________
Birthplace (City & State): _______________________________________________________________________
My Mother’s Name (Maiden Name):______________________________________________________________
Birthplace (City & State): _______________________________________________________________________
(2) I would like these Scripture Readings proclaimed:
My Spouse’s Name:________________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________________________
(3) I would like the following minister to be invited to preside at the liturgy:
Birthdate: ____________________ Birthplace (City & State): _________________________________________
Social Security #:_________________________ U.S. Armed Forces Serial #:________________________
Occupation:_______________________________________________________________________________
Name of Spouse’s Father: __________________________________________________________________
(4) I would like the homily to focus on my belief that...
Birthplace (City & State): _______________________________________________________________________
Name of Spouse’s Mother (Maiden Name): _______________________________________________________
Birthplace (City & State): _______________________________________________________________________
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Part One: WAKE SERVICE
and/or VISITATION
Other Information
My attorney is: _________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________________________
Choose either (A), (B) or (C):
_ (A) I would prefer public visitation and a Wake Service to be held at the Funeral Home
_ (B) I would prefer public visitation and a Wake Service to be held at Our Lady of Sorrows
Church the night before the Funeral Liturgy.
_ (C) I would prefer public visitation and a Wake Service to be held at Our Lady
of Sorrows Church immediately prior to the Funeral Liturgy.
In these spaces, indicate where important papers and documents can be found.
Include: wills, cemetery deeds, insurance policies, safety deposit boxes, bank accounts, real estate deeds, birth
and marriage certificates, stocks, bonds, negotiable papers, mortgages, contractual agreements, promissory
notes, trust fund data, and any other pertinent information.
Document
Location
In choosing (A), I would like:
1) The following song: __________________________________________________________________
2) The following Scripture Reading proclaimed:
3) I (would / would not) like photos of me or other personal mementos to be displayed at the
Wake Service. If so, I would suggest:
4) I (would / would not) like someone to speak at the Wake Service.
If so, I would like the following persons to be asked to do so:
5) Other requests that I would like to be considered are:
(e.g. Rosary prayed by family before visitation)
I (have / have not) made arrangements for an anatomical donation at the time of my death.
Necessary information regarding this donation can be obtained by contacting:
Name: __________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
It is my preference that Memorial Donations at the time of my death be made to:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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6
I would like the following information to be included in my obituary:
My Funeral Plans
Name (maiden / nickname): _______________________________________________
My photo: ___yes ___ no
My place of birth:
___yes ___ no
My age:
My date of birth:
___yes ___ no
___yes ___ no
Funeral Home: ________________________________
Funeral Director: ______________________________
Places I’ve lived: ________________________________________________________
My occupation, places of employment and years of tenure:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I (would / would not) like my body to be publicly viewed after my death.
I (would / would not) like my body to be privately viewed after my death.
I prefer my body to be cremated after my death.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
My church affiliation: _______________________________________________________________________
Education / military service: _________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Clubs and organizations with which I have been affiliated:
I have made the following arrangements concerning my final resting place:
Interment of my cremated remains:
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Columbarium
(Niche# ______________ )
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Personal / professional accomplishments:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Hobbies and special interests:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
My immediate family members and their cities of residence:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Grandchildren: ____________________________________________________________________________
Great-grandchildren: _______________________________________________________________________
Other information:
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