Please review the Church of St. Peter's guidelines for handling funerals during this time.

• Please have the family contact Connie Roering at 651-777-8304 or croering@stpetersnsp.org
• Connie Roering will be the first contact to fill necessary paperwork for funeral. 
• All COVID -19 positive persons, those who are symptomatic, and those living with them, must stay home.
• Persons over the age of 65 and those with preexisting health conditions should continue to stay home and avoid public gatherings, including church.
• All faithful should continue to follow hygienic practices at home; wash hands often, avoid touching the face, cover any coughs or sneezes, etc. It is also recommended to use the restrooms at home before coming to the church.
• There will be No visitation at the church.
• There will be No viewing at the church.
• Photos and/or other mementos of the deceased are not allowed.  However, one picture of the deceased can be placed next to the casket or urn during the funeral liturgy.
• There will be No Funeral Luncheon.
• During this phase, only 150 people will be allowed to be in the church for the funeral liturgy.
• The family will choose one reading from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament and a Responsorial Psalm. The main celebrant will choose the Gospel. Family members are welcome to serve as readers, if they are comfortable to do so.
• The family may also choose the music for the funeral liturgy.
• During this phase congregational singing is to be temporarily discontinued, since singing expels many more respiratory particles than speaking does. Instead, we will have a soloist and an accompanist.
• We will provide a worship aid to the congregation.
• Due to the 6 foot social distancing requirements, seating will only be allowed in the designated pews. You will be asked to wait outside the church doors while an usher will direct you to the seat. Due to limited seating and spacing, the usher will determine where you sit and you cannot choose any seat you desire.
• Pews in the front of the church are reserved for immediate family members.  
• Doors will be propped open to minimize touching and to maximize air circulation.
• The casket or urn will be in the gathering space next to the baptismal font just before the beginning of the liturgy.  
• Immediate family members will be in the gathering space just before the beginning of the liturgy to greet those who are entering the church, however always maintaining social distancing.
• Ushers will be available outside and inside to direct attendees where to go. Please follow the directions of trained ushers.
• Only the Main Entrance (E9) from the parking lot will be accessible to enter and exit.
• Please watch for instructive signs and follow them.
• Ensure you are following the 6 foot distancing rule while waiting to enter the church
• You must sanitize your hands as you enter the Church of St Peter. Please bring your own hand sanitizer, however in case you need it the Church of St Peter provides hand sanitizer in the foyer of the church at all times.
• Do not use the bathrooms unless it is an emergency. If it is an emergency ask an usher.
• For your wellbeing and the protection of others, we strongly recommend that you come with a mask, and that you wear a mask always when you are on the church premises (but not for those under age two or with respiratory problems, according to the CDC, since it may put them at risk of suffocation).    
• Communion will be offered after Mass in the following way.  
  • The clergy wearing masks will come to the pew and distribute Communion to each of those wishing to receive the Blessed Sacrament.
  • Communicants remain in their pews after Mass, where ministers (wearing masks) will bring Communion to them. Recipients will receive Communion kneeling.
  • Wearing gloves to receive Communion is unbecoming of the Blessed Sacrament and is not to be done.
  • Distribution of Communion will be on the hand only. When receiving on the hand, the communicant will be kneeling down if possible, then should hold out the hands, placing the left on top of the right. The priest will say “The Body of Christ” and the communicant with mask on still will answer “Amen.” As the priest places the Consecrated Host on your left open palm, you will take off your mask using ONLY the right hand and then receive him, taking care that nothing is lost. Replace your mask on your face using your right hand. Please watch the video on the church website.
• At the end of the liturgy the immediate family will escort the casket or urn to the hearse. The ushers will direct the rest of the congregation to exit the church. Please go directly to your vehicle.  No gathering is allowed on the church premises.
• Burials: we will follow the CDC’s recommendations. (See attached document)
• If necessary, a priest will get in touch with a family member to go over the details of the funeral liturgy.
• Please note that the priests are available to pray and bless the casket at the funeral home as long as the CDC’s recommendations are followed.

 
If you have any questions please direct them to Connie Roering at 651-777-8304 or croering@stpetersnsp.org
(M-F 8:30am to 2:00pm)
 
Fr. Ettore Ferrario F.S.C.B
Pastor Church of St. Peter