Funeral Information
The first step in planning the funeral is to contact the funeral home of your choice.
The funeral home will help you with all the initial planning, including contacting the church to set the date of the Vigil (viewing) and the Funeral Mass. If the deceased/family are not St. Nicholas of Tolentine parishioners and do not live within the boundaries of our parish, the parish priest has the discretion to allow or not allow the funeral at our parish. Below are two funeral homes that are frequently used at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church.
R G Ortiz Funeral Home
2580 Grand Concourse
Bronx, New York 10458
Phone: 1- (718) 933-9800
Williams Funeral Home
5628 Broadway @West 232nd St.
Bronx, New York 10463
Phone: 1 – (718) 548-1100
It is generally encouraged that the Funeral Rites be conducted in the presence of the body of the deceased. However, if the body has been cremated, the Mass of Christian Burial may also be celebrated with the cremains (ashes) of the deceased.
The Order of Christian Funerals is a three-part ritual with the Vigil (viewing), Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal (burial).
Vigil
The Vigil (viewing) is usually celebrated at the funeral home. They will arrange the details and help with the order of service and will be present to assist. The priest is generally present and presides at the Vigil. However, when no priest or deacon is available, it is permissible for a trained lay minster to be designated by the pastor to preside. The Vigil at the funeral home is the most appropriate time for reflections, memorials, eulogies and sharing of stories. It is at the discretion of the priest if any eulogies will be permitted at the Funeral Mass in the church.
Funeral Mass
The Funeral Mass is traditionally celebrated the next morning in the parish church. Funerals at St. Nicholas of Tolentine are celebrated Monday through Saturday at 10:00 am. However, funerals will not be permitted on certain dates if there is a conflict with any Holy Days of Obligation or other previously scheduled masses in the church.
Rite of Committal
The Rite of Committal (burial) is celebrated at the cemetery and usually follows immediately after the Funeral Mass in the church.
Church Fee
There is also a church fee in addition to the funeral home fee.
$400