Sodality Funeral Honor Guard

The Funeral Honor Guard serves to “guard” the deceased Sodalist as she leaves Blessed Sacrament for the final time. Therefore, each Sodalist is to participate whenever possible in a Funeral Honor Guard, regardless of whether she knew the deceased Sodalist. Please keep in mind that over 90% of current Sodalists have requested an Honor Guard, so be generous with your time and remember that if you wish an Honor Guard for yourself, it is important to keep this tradition alive by participating.
 

REQUEST A HONOR GUARD

To request a Funeral Honor Guard, please contact the parish.

HONOR GUARD COMMUNICATION

All Sodality members will be notified by email as far in advance as possible of the date and time of a funeral for a fellow Sodalist who has requested an Honor Guard.

HONOR GUARD REMINDERS

• Wear a Miraculous Medal to the funeral.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes PRIOR to mass.
• During the funeral, Sodalists will sit together on the St. Joseph side of the church, behind any pall bearers. 
• Sodalists will flank the pews on BOTH sides of the center aisle before Mass begins at the procession and again before the recessional. Sodalists start at the front and extend back as many rows as there are Sodalists. Please stand in position, looking straight ahead and with hands folded in a devout manner, without blocking the pews entrances and standing as close to the pew as possible to allow for space in the aisle. Purses, coats, and silenced cell phones may be left in the pew while participating. A viable Honor Guard needs a minimum of 10 Sodalists.

Generally, Sodalists should line the pews when the priest and altar servers come out of the sacristy. We remain in position as the celebrant proceeds down the aisle to meet the coffin (start of the funeral). We return to our pews after the procession is settled. Then, we go back into the aisle at the commendation (end of funeral) as the priest approaches the coffin. The recessional occurs and we remain in place until the music ends. Adjustments to this procedure may be made at the time of the funeral.

The order for the recessional is:

1. Crucifer – cross bearer
2. Priest(s) and altar server(s)
3. Pallbearers
4. Coffin carrying the deceased
5. Family and friends of the deceased
6. Honor Guard Sodalists