Planning a Funeral at Our Lady of Sorrows
In the event of the death of a loved one, please call us at the Parish Office (503-775-6731) to schedule an appointment to set a date for the funeral BEFORE setting a time with the funeral home or cemetery.  If you cannot reach someone at the Office, please use the parish's Emergency Line (503-775-6731, option 5 or follow the options for emergency line-a cell phone number will be listed) to get in touch with us and let us know about the death.  Very soon after, Fr. Chrispine or another staff member will reach out to you. It is recommended that you plan a funeral mass at your own parish where you belong or where you live. 

When you come into the office for your appointment, the pastor and/or pastoral assistant will give you all the information you need, and the help you need to plan the funeral service.

Please note: Funeral Masses can be celebrated here on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays at 12 pm, but NOT on Saturdays, never on Sundays. Please call us to plan.

Reception
If you choose to have a reception following the funeral, please contact one of our Funeral Reception Coordinators, Cynthia at (503) 774-4737, or Wendy at (503) 267-0231, and they will help you with the arrangements, and mobilize volunteers from the parish to help. 

We have two facilities available to use for receptions:

Whether you have the parish prepare the food, or do so yourself, the parish will always provide the trays and bowls for service, coffee, tea, water, prepare leftovers for the family, and handle set-up and clean-up.

Costs for the Funeral*
Church Donation: $200 (Active parishioners), $400 (non-parishioner)
Organist: $150
Cantor: $150(Gina Piroli)
Reception Coordinator: $150
If the parish provides the food for the reception: $6 x (the number of people you expect)  i.e. If you are expecting 100 people, the cost of your reception will be $600 ($6 x 100).  If you provide the food yourself or use catering, please pay only reception coordinator who will organize everything for you.  If you have  financial constraints, please talk to the parish priest. Please note that parishioners are those who frequent the parish and are active in the life and ministry of the parish.

Please have the funeral home write the checks to the names as suggested in the liturgy planning form. The family is free to offer gifts of appreciation to the priest celebrant. 

If you would like and are able, you can also make an additional donation to Our Lady of Sorrows as a means of expressing your thanks to the Lord for all the blessings he has given to you and your family.  This donation, made in love, also expresses your appreciation to the parishioners of Our Lady of Sorrows, whose contributions pay for the cost and upkeep of the church and is also a way to support the ministry of the Church.

When a priest presides at a funeral, it is customary to offer a gift to the minister. Although Catholics are urged to support the Church, especially parishes, personal gifts to clergy - though permitted - are at the discretion and good will of the faithful. The ancient practice of Mass offerings remains an approved and laudable practice. May God grant eternal rest to your loved one and comfort and peace to all of us who remain. Amen