Sodality Funeral Honor Guard

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Funeral Honor Guard

All sodality members will be notified in the event of an impending funeral for a fellow sodalist who has requested a Funeral Honor Guard. It is the duty of each sodalist, whenever possible, to participate in Honor Guard and to ensure a dignified funeral Mass for her fellow sodalist. Please keep in mind that more than 90% of current sodalists have requested an honor guard. If you have so indicated that you would like one, please remember that it is important that you participate as often as possible.

Sodalists should meet 15 minutes before the funeral begins, behind the pews at the rear of the church. When it is determined that there are enough present for an Honor Guard, sodalists are to flank each pew going up the aisle, starting at the front.

Sodalists line up at the end of the pews near the altar, with one sodalist per pew. Pew entrances should not be blocked, and sodalists should stand as close to the pew as possible to allow for passage of the funeral procession up the aisle.

Sodalists stand guard, before the priest and altar servers come out of the sacristy. The celebrant says prayers before the processional and then proceeds down the aisle to meet the coffin

Sodalists are to wear their Marian Medals fully exposed to distinguish them as Honor Guard to funeral attendees. Sodalists should stand erect, looking straight ahead, with hands folded in a devout manner.

Sodalists stay for the funeral, and during Mass, sit on the St. Joseph side of the church, behind the pall bearers. All purses and cell phones -- which are to be silenced -- should be left there before the funeral. At the commendation (end of funeral) as the priest approaches the coffin, sodalists resume their original pew positions, flanking the aisle, and remaining in place until the music ends.

The order for the recessional (leaving the church) 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