Homebound
If you are homebound or ill, we would be honored to bring you Holy Communion. This sacred visit allows you to remain spiritually connected to our parish community and to receive the grace of the Eucharist. If you or a loved one would like to receive this ministry, please contact the Parish Office.
Funerals
In our Catholic faith, even in sorrow, we find hope. Death is not the end, but the beginning of eternal life with God. Though we grieve, we trust in Christ’s promise of resurrection and the joyful reunion to come.
At St. Mary’s Basilica, we are here to walk with you. The Church’s funeral rites offer comfort, honor your loved one’s life, and entrust them to God’s eternal care. Our clergy and staff will help you plan a meaningful liturgy rooted in faith and tradition.
Getting Started
- Following the death of a loved one, please contact the mortuary of your choice.
- The mortuary will coordinate with St. Mary’s Basilica to confirm a date and time for the funeral liturgy.
- Once a date is confirmed, our staff will reach out to you to schedule a meeting with our priest and music director to begin planning the liturgical services.
For more information or assistance, please contact Jerome Doris
Funeral Guidelines
Funeral Services at St. Mary’s Basilica
At St. Mary’s Basilica, we are honored to walk with families through the sacred journey of loss and remembrance. Rooted in faith and compassion, our community offers spiritual and practical support during the time of death and mourning.
When Death Is Near
Our clergy and pastoral care team are available to visit the sick at home or in the hospital, offering prayer, Holy Communion, and the Sacrament of Anointing. We encourage families to reach out before death occurs so that the full grace of the Church’s sacraments can be shared.
In the Event of an Unexpected Death
Grief can be overwhelming. We understand that planning can be difficult, and we are here to help. Families may designate a representative to assist with arrangements. Our parish community is ready to support you with prayer, presence, and pastoral care.
Planning a Funeral
Scheduling Services
Please notify the parish as soon as possible after a death. Our clergy and staff will assist in planning the funeral liturgy, vigil, and burial. We do not require a specific funeral home, but we are familiar with many in the Phoenix area.
Vigil and Wake Services
A vigil may be held at a mortuary or in the Basilica the evening before the funeral. This is a time for prayer, storytelling, and remembrance. Families may lead the rosary or request a pastoral minister to do so. Our church is secure for overnight repose of the deceased.
Prior to the Funeral Mass, the body is typically greeted at the church doors by the celebrant, sprinkled with holy water from the baptismal font, and clothed with a white funeral pall. The Paschal candle, blessed at the Easter Vigil, is lit and placed nearby as a symbol of resurrection and eternal life.
The Funeral Mass
The Funeral Mass is a profound expression of our faith in the Resurrection. Whether held in our main Basilica (seating 800) or the intimate St. Ann Chapel (seating 30), the Mass invites the community to gather in prayer and hope. A brief remembrance may be shared after Communion; longer eulogies are best suited for the vigil.
Music and Liturgy
Our Director of Music works with families to select meaningful liturgical music. Fees:
Cantor: $150
Special requests are welcome. Religious music is preferred during the Mass, while secular selections may be included at the vigil. A worship aid is provided for each funeral.
Organist/Cantor: $200
Organist only: $185
Burial and Cremation
The Church encourages burial in sacred ground. Cremation is permitted, and cremated remains should be reverently buried or placed in a mausoleum. If cremation occurs before the funeral, we offer an “ark-urn” to carry the ashes into the church with dignity, accompanied by holy water and the funeral pall, just as with a casket.
Military honors and cultural traditions are welcome and should be discussed in advance with the priest or pastoral staff to ensure they are respectfully integrated into the service.
Reception and Hospitality
Our parish hall is available for funeral receptions. Catering is typically arranged through local vendors familiar with our facilities. Contact our Parish Manager for details.
Offerings and Memorials
Suggested offerings:
- Basilica: $300
- Celebrant: $250
If these are a hardship, please speak with a priest. Memorial gifts may be directed to St. Mary’s Basilica, the Diocese of Phoenix, Catholic education, or other diocesan ministries. We encourage memorials that honor the life of the deceased while supporting the living.
Masses in Remembrance
Mass intentions for the deceased can be scheduled [here], or through the parish office. Special Masses for anniversaries or birthdays may be held in the St. Ann Chapel. On All Souls Day (November 2), we honor all those buried from our parish in the past year by inscribing their names in our “Book of the Dead,” which is carried in procession and displayed throughout November.
You Are Not Alone
St. Mary’s Basilica is open daily from 9 AM to 3 PM. We invite you to find peace in our sacred space. In the spirit of our Catholic faith, we offer you this blessing: “The Lord give you peace.”
— Clergy and Staff of St. Mary’s Basilica