Catholic Funeral Page

Catholic Funeral Masses 
Followed by Cremation

A General Outline of a Catholic Funeral Mass followed by Cremation

 This is a general overview of what a Catholic Funeral Mass usually consists of. Sometimes there are variations to this outline. For further details or questions please contact one of our funeral directors.

Vigil or Prayer Service the Night Prior to the Funeral Mass

 Some families may wish to have a prayer service the night prior to the funeral mass. Similar to a viewing or wake service, here the family and friends gather either at the church or the funeral home to pray and remember their loved one. 

Mass of Christian Burial

Please see a general overview of a Catholic Funeral Mass. The Funeral Mass will take place at the Catholic Church of the families choice (source: https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/Story/TabId/2672/ArtMID/13567/ArticleID/22189/Planning-and-Understanding-the-Catholic-Funeral.aspx)

a. Introductory Rites: Takes place at the very beginning of the Catholic Funeral Mass with a blessing from the priest. The casket with the deceased is present and located at the entrance of the church. There is sprinkling of holy water, placing of the pall on the casket, and procession of the casket, with the family following, to the front of the church.  

b. Liturgy of the Word: Consists of first reading, second reading, homily, and general intercessions. The liturgy of Eucharist continues during the mass until after Communion. 

c. Final Commendation: Here in the final commendation there will be final prayers, a moment of silence, the casket will be walked around by the priest with incense, a prayer of commendation, and a final procession out of the church.

Transfer to Crematorium Located at Squamish Funeral Chapel

 Upon completion of the funeral mass, the casket is carried by the selected pallbearers and placed into the funeral hearse. Instruction on how to carry and place the casket into the hearse are provided by our funeral directors.

Once the casket is secured the hearse will drive to our crematorium located at our funeral home. The family may wish to follow and be present for when the cremation takes place or they may choose to remain at the church. Generally a reception will take place at the church, hosted by the Catholic Women's League.

Committal Service

The commital service takes place at the burial or internment site of the cremated remains. Generally at the cemetery of the families chose. In the Catholic faith, cremated remains are not to be scattered. 

At the commital service the priest from the funeral mass will be present and read scripture verses and have a prayer of commital. The urn is placed in the chosen place for internment.  

How Squamish Funeral Chapel Helps with the Mass

Coordination with Church & Cemetery

Our funeral directors will meet with your family to organize and plan the funeral mass in coordination with the church and cemetery and take care of arrangements to help bring you peace of mind.

We will also ensure that all permits and required equipment will be present for the vigil, funeral mass, and commital service.

Staffing & Assistance at Funeral Mass

At the funeral mass we will always have two of our staff there to assist with making sure the funeral mass runs smoothly.

Our funeral directors will be there to give proper directions for the procedures of the funeral mass and to assist with transporting the deceased to and from the church, assisting with all set up of equipment, participating with the beginning and final processions during the funeral mass, and any assistance the family may need before, during, and after the funeral mass.

Our Facility for Prayer Service

Some families may wish to have a prayer or vigil service the night prior to the funeral mass. This can take place at our funeral home or the Catholic Church where the mass will take place.

Our funeral home has had several makeovers throughout the past decades. Our funeral home has the following:
  • Chapel room that can seat up to 170 people.
  • 55 inch flat screen television.
  • Audio and visual equipment.
  • Reception atrium that is used for dining and overflow.

Crematorium on Site

We own and operate our own crematorium that is located directly at our funeral home. 

Following the funeral mass, the cremation will take place at our crematorium on site.

Facilities On Site for Dressing

With Catholic funerals, traditionally the body of the deceased will need to be present for the funeral mass. Our staff will ensure that your loved one will be properly washed and dressed for the funeral mass.

Custom Printing Services

We provide the following within our custom printing services:

Service programs /leaflets.
Custom Designed Guest Books.
Framed Photos.
Prayer card or book marks.
Poster board for a family to place photos in.

Pricing: Catholic Funeral Mass followed by Cremation 

  • Catholic Funeral Mass followed by Cremation


Package Includes the following items:

  • Professional Services: $1365

    • Arrangement conference with family providing assistance with service options
    • Facilities & Equipment (building expenses, equipment used for arrangement, administrative expenses, insurance, and other overhead expenses).
    • Planning and coordinating all details of the celebration of life details with the family (location and time, speakers, caterers, music, florists, positioning of memorabilia/pictures, and other service details).
    • Creating a celebration of life order of service and making sure it meets the family's wishes.
    • Ascertaining who has the legal rights to make the funeral arrangements.
    • Completion of CPP & Old Age Security Forms.
    • Contacting medical staff, coroner's office and other authorities to obtain medical certificates/clearance.

  • Transfer Fee: $520

    • Removal of the deceased from the place of death at any time of day (ie hospital, home, care facility) & transport back to our Funeral Home, 24/7. *Additional costs would apply for transfers made outside of the Sea to Sky Corridor or Lower Mainland.
    • Includes vehicle, equipment and necessary items to conform with universal transfer precautions.

  • Documentation: $270

    • Registering the death with Vital Statistics and producing burial permits and cremation certificate
    • Preparation and filing of all neccessary authorizations and permits.
    • Gathering of Vital Statistical information in order to register the death.

  • Sheltering, Housing, & Refrigeration: $475

    • Providing sheltering, housing, handling and refrigeration of your loved one in our 24/7 supervised funeral home.

  • Hearse for Transporting Casket: $475

    • Use of our Cadillac Hearse for transporting the casket to and from the church.

  • Dressing & Washing of the Deceased: $336

    • Proper dressing and washing of the deceased for funeral mass and disposition.

  • Cremation Fee: $940

    • Cremation takes place at our own crematorium located at Squamish Funeral Chapel under our staff supervision.
    • Cremains/Urn can be ready for pick up / internment the following date after the cremation.

    *Note: Cremation cannot take place until 48 hours after the time of death and until we receive the doctor’s medical certificate and or Coroner’s release.



  • Staffing & Assistance for Funeral Mass: $830

    • Two of our staff will be in attendance to provide instructions & assistance for the celebration of life.  

    (This is to facilitate the event running smoothly and as planned)

    • Set up & clean up for celebration of life.
    • Welcoming and greeting guests and giving them information on the celebration.
    • Seating, assisting, and taking care of all neds of the family.
    • Includes services of our celebrant, George McKenzie, if requested.

  • Equipment & Setup Fee at Venue: $520

    • Setup & organization of all equipment (tables, chairs, music, flowers, programs, food, etc...)
    • Set up & clean up of all equipment provided.

  • Catholic Funeral /Mass (at SFC): $5,731

    Does not include:

    • Taxes,
    • Casket for service & cremation,
    • Death Certificates ($27 each),
    • Food or Beverages,
    • Cemetery Fees,
    • Disbursements,
    • CPA Fee ($40),
    • Any additional items a family may choose (urn, obituary notice costs, service programs, video tribute, church fees, etc..)

Casket Options

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Urn Options

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Other Service Options to Think Of:

Flowers for the Celebration of Life

If you would like to order flowers for the celebration of life, you can do so easily by clicking the order flowers button below.


Flowers can be delivered directly to the celebration of life and come from locally owned florists.

Order Flowers

Custom Service Programs & Guest Books

Our creative team can create custom service programs and guest books for the celebration of life.


For more info or to see examples, give us a call, 604-898-5121.

Cremation Placement Options

We always recommend that families take the time to discuss what they plan to do with their loved ones cremains following the cremation.


There are many options, from interring the urn into our Niches & Columbariums to scattering the cremains. We encourage you to learn more about these options by clicking the button below.

View Cremation Placement Options

We Create Custom Video Tributes

Planning a celebration of life after a loved one has died is overwhelming and stressful. Our team can alleviate the stress and create custom video tributes that will leave a lasting impression on your family.


Call us or come into our office to learn more.

Common Questions Regarding Cremation with Catholic Funeral Masses

  • Is Cremation Allowed in the Catholic Faith?

    Since the mid 1960's, cremation has been allowed as a means of disposition in the Catholic Church. Most Catholic Churches will want the body of the deceased to be present for the mass and the cremation to follow. This can vary and should involve a discussion with the priest at your local Catholic Church.

  • Does the Deceased Need to Be Present for the Funeral Mass?

    Most Catholic Churches will want the body of the deceased to be present for the mass and the cremation to follow. This can vary and should involve a discussion with the priest at your local Catholic Church.


    If just the urn is present, this is generally called a memorial mass.

  • What's a Prayer Service?

     Some families may wish to have a prayer service the night prior to the funeral mass. Similar to a viewing or wake service, here the family and friends gather either at the church or the funeral home to pray and remember their loved one. 

  • Do I Need to Purchase a Casket?

    Generally the deceased will likely be present at the church for the funeral mass. In this case a casket will need to be chosen.


    There are many different casket options that range in different materials and prices. To view our casket options, please scroll above. 

  • What's a Rental Casket?

    A rental casket is used for cremation and is usually preferred for Catholic funerals.


    In essence the family is not purchasing an entire casket. They rent a casket's outer wooden shell. The inner lining of the casket, where the deceased rests, is removed and used for cremation.


    The wooden shell remains and is not cremated. 

  • Is Embalming Required

    Embalming by law is not required. However, depending on the nature of the death or condition of the deceased, our funeral directors may recommend embalming.


    Embalming helps to preserve and restore body tissues of the deceased. Most often embalming is preferred when there is a viewing of the deceased, a delayed funeral date, or repatriation of the remains.

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