Funerals

The Catholic Funeral Mass brings hope and consolation to the living. The Funeral Liturgy and the Rite of Committal ultimately serve to root the difficult experience of the death of a loved one in a Christian understanding of life, death, and what happens after death, focusing on both the person who has died and the community of believers who gather to offer prayers, support one another, and celebrate the promise of eternal life.

Funeral Planning


The first step in planning a funeral should be to contact a funeral home. The funeral home will coordinate with the church to plan the date and time and contact the music director. The priest who celebrates the funeral Mass will contact the family to set up a meeting with the family and to discuss details of the Mass.


Please complete the planning form using whichever method is most convenient for you:


Complete Online (Recommended)

Submit your music, readings, and liturgical selections directly through our Online Funeral Planning Form for immediate review by our pastoral team.


Download & Print PDF

Download the Funeral Planning Guide & Form (PDF) to fill out by hand. You can bring this completed form to your planning meeting with the priest or submit it to the Parish Office.


NOTE: Large PDF file, 44 pages 

Use this guide for Liturgy Planning: Funeral-Liturgy-Planning-Book.pdf 


Liturgy Booklet

Some families choose to prepare a liturgy booklet to assist those attending the service. These booklets are NOT required. Samples are available in the rectory office, and local printers or copy centers can provide folding and copying services. The templates below are offered to make the preparation process easier.




Contact St. Mary Cathedral

📍 Address:

615 William Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703


📞 Phone:

 (573) 335-9347


✉️ Email: office@stmarycathedral.net


Our parish staff is available to answer any questions you may have about the Baptismal process.