It is the practice of the Catholic Church that the bodily remains or the cremated remains be interred. Interment expresses the hope that, with all those who have gone before marked with the sign of faith, the deceased awaits the glory of the resurrection. Through the act of committal, the community of faith proclaims that the place of interment, once a sign of futility and despair, has been transformed by means of Christ's own death and resurrection into a sign of hope and promise.

The family of the deceased may have the opportunity to speak with the parish priest to discuss appropriate Scripture readings and sacred music for the Mass. If sacred music is desired, it will be the responsibility of the family to arrange for music.

The family may designate practicing Catholics to offer the Scripture readings during the Mass. The family may designate practicing Catholics to take part in the Procession of the Gifts (bread and wine) at the Offertory of the Mass.

Following the Order of Christian Funerals and the Archdiocese of Washington's Liturgical Norms and Policies, words of remembrance may be offered at the funeral home visitation, at the cemetery at the conclusion of the burial rite, or at the repast following the funeral. These are the most appropriate places for family members and friends to offer remarks about the deceased. These venues allow for more speakers, more time, more spontaneity, a wider range of themes and methods of paying tribute (stories, songs, or poems), and less emotional stress for the speaker(s). Eulogies, which have never been a part of the Catholic liturgical tradition, do not take place in the church.

At the discretion of Holy Angels Church, registered and participating parish families (with the departed being either a participating parishioner or the next of kin of a participating parishioner) may have visitation time with family and friends in the church prior to the Mass of Christian Burial if the church is available.

Holy Angels Church has a parish hall that may be rented for a reception after the Mass of Christian Burial. Please contact the Parish Office at (301) 769-3332 or [email protected] for details.