St. Donnan

Music and liturgy

The parish has no organist, so undertakers must advise on availability; if none is available, the congregation sings the hymns alone. Only religious music is permitted at the funeral liturgy, and no recorded music may be played because the parish lacks a PLL License. A piper may play the pipes outside the church, as is the custom, but the church is not the place for non-religious music during liturgies.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The Diocese asks that at least six months' notice be given for all marriages to allow adequate time for preparation. If admitted to hospital and wishing to be visited by a chaplain with Communion, one can contact the parish directly or ask the Ward Staff Nurse.

The body of the deceased may be received into the church the evening before the funeral, in a short service usually attended only by close family. The readings at a funeral may be read by family and friends of the deceased, or parishioners can be requested to do the readings. There is an option to ask the priest to incorporate a brief eulogy as part of the welcome, before the Eucharist begins. The family may wish to have the psalm sung at a funeral, but it is by no means a necessity; it does not need to be the psalm of the day but it does need to be a psalm and not a hymn. Flowers for a funeral can be arranged with a florist chosen by the family of the deceased, and can be placed on the coffin or arranged on the sanctuary, as desired.