Funeral Planning
Funeral planning typically takes place during a meeting between the priest who will be presiding over the funeral rites and family members of the deceased.

If a funeral home is involved, they will assist the family in arranging this meeting. If a funeral home is not involved, the family should contact the parish office by calling 309-755-5071 to schedule a meeting to make the necessary arrangements.

People and families are welcome to download the Funeral Planning Sheet to begin the planning process prior to meeting with the priest who will preside over the funeral rites. No funeral planning is finalized until after a meeting with the presider of the funeral.

Words of Remembrance
It is the hope of the Church that the Funeral Liturgy provide an uplifting moment of grace in God's divine love and so comments about the deceased are best reserved for the wake the night before, at the funeral luncheon or at some other gathering.  With the permission of the pastor/celebrant, a member of the family may speak. The comments need to be less than five minutes and share the hope and spiritual strength which the person exhibited.

In Funeral Masses, in visits to the cemetery, and in our persistent prayers and Masses for our deceased loved ones, we give expression to our grieving and grow through sadness into more attentive lives of faith. During this time of sadness, we offer our prayers for you and your family, remembering that Jesus the Redeemer is our hope for resurrected life for our loved ones!