Funerals

Dear friends of Saint Joseph Catholic Church:
 
If you have recently lost a loved one, please accept our sincere condolences on your recent loss.  May the Lord Jesus give you His peace and comfort during this difficult time in your life as you mourn the loss of your loved one. 
 
As soon as the church is notified, someone from the parish will contact you to offer our personal condolences as well as go over several things that need to be discussed in order to properly celebrate the Wake Service, Mass of Christian Burial and Final Commendation (at the cemetery) for your loved one. 
 
Above is a helpful booklet which includes the selection of Readings from Holy Scripture, musical selections and helpful information when planning the celebration of your loved one's life.  

Of c​ourse, you can always contact us directly at the Parish Office any times before, during or after the death of your loved one.

May the Lord give you His peace!

As we approach (what I call) the "living room" of God, there are so many things to think about; Who will take care of my funeral?  Where will I be buried?  What happens if I get sick? Who will make all these decisions?  I can tell you that from my twenty-five years of experience in dealing with the death of loved ones, those who make previous arrangements, allow their survivors (whether it is a spouse, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or a close friends) a greater ease and comfort in fulfilling your wishes, because you have already written them down and given specific instructions as to what you want to happen when you die. 

End of life decisions, health care placement and the final disposition of your body (e.g. cremation, burial, entombment, etc.) are so important and should not be left to whim as to fulfiling your wishes when you are gone and no longer have a voice.  Many people think that having a Last Will and Testament is sufficient.  The problem with only using this legal document is that it is often not found or read until after the funeral (if one takes place).  The following are some definitions to help you navigate through some difficult terms and legal jargon and help you do what you want to have done after you have closed your eyes from this life. 

Of course, while you are reading through any of these documents and have questions, please feel free to contact me directly at: 973.383.1985 or email me confidentially at: [email protected].  

What is a Will? 
A Will (or Last Will and Testament) is a signed witnessed document which, after yourdeath, directs how your individually owned property (which includes bank accounts, annuities, life insurance, etc.) will be distributed and who will be in charge of your property untli it is distributed. 

Do I need a Will? 
The most important advantage of having a Will is that YOU direct exactly how your property should be distributed rather than having your property distributed according to the laws of the State of New Jersey. 

How do I make a Will? 
A Will must be prepared within the legal technicalities prescribed by law so that it leaves no question regarding your intentions.  Oftentimes, when a simple Will is drawn up by individuals who are not attorneys, questions are often raised as to the Will's interpretation that must be resolved by the courts, which can be very expensive.  Therefore, hiring a competent attorney who is knowledgable in this field of law, is the best way to secure that your intentions, since they should know the particular law concerning these matters.  Of course, finding a reputable attorney that you can trust is of utmost importance!  

The following website from the Office of the Surrogate can be very helpful: Sussexcountrysurrogate.com.

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