Parishes minister with funeral planning, grief support

All Saints, New Orleans

The Bereavement Ministry assists the family upon hearing of its loss, helps prepare readings, program and music for the Funeral Mass and provides hospitality throughout the service. Followup calls are made to families after the funeral. Contact Barbara Lombard at (504) 361-8835.

Ascension of Our Lord, LaPlace

The Bereavement Ministry Team coordinates support for parishioners experiencing grief following a death. Members offer assistance in planning readings and music, are present during the wake and Funeral Mass, prepare the church and request food donations for family receptions. They also meet with family members to identify areas of support needed after the funeral, send care notes and monthly messages of comfort and healing. Members meet monthly. Contact Susie Lanza at (504) 650-0496 or the parish office at (985) 652-2615.

Center of Jesus the Lord at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, New Orleans

Stewards of Mercy ministry provides a mercy meal for family and friends after the Funeral Mass. Also, in an emergency such as illness in the family, members will provide meals or personal care for family members. Call (504) 529-1636.

Corpus Christi-Epiphany, New Orleans

The Bereavement Ministry assists in preparing the Funeral Mass and gives comfort and support for the bereaved family. A Mass and remembrance exhibit of all parishioners who have died during the year is offered each year. Contact Patricia Lee at [email protected] or (504) 261-8628.

Holy Family, Franklinton

The pastor meets with the family to assist in planning the Funeral Mass. If visitation is held in the church, coffee and light refreshments are provided. Ministry members also can provide a full meal for the family and their guests in the parish hall after the funeral. Contact (985) 839-4040.

Mary Queen of Peace, Mandeville

The parish bereavement group meets in a confidential setting and supports families following the loss of a loved one. It meets on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. during the fall and spring and is facilitated by Jodi Awbrey, [email protected] or (985) 626-6977. The annual Memorial Mass for parish families who have lost a loved one during the last year will be Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

Most Holy Trinity, Covington

The Bereavement Ministry has two parts: hospitality and liturgical prep. Hospitality members provide food for the family and/or assistance with visitation. Liturgical members assist families with preparation for the funeral services and are present to offer comfort, greet attendees and assist with the Mass or service.  Families of the deceased are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. which is coordinated by the hospitality members. Contact Kathy Decareaux at (985) 892-0642.

Our Lady of Divine Providence, Metairie

Boundless Spirit ministry meets on the third Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. in the St. Lawrence Room, located in the parish’s Cuccia Center next to the church office at 1000 North Starrett Road. This support group provides assistance for any individual dealing with the loss of a loved one. Group discussion and guest speakers about the grief process. Open to anyone experiencing loss and seeking like souls with whom to share. Contact (504) 466-4511.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Slidell

Grief ministry meets the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Parish Life Center, 325 Westchester Blvd., Slidell. Contact (985) 643-4137.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Westwego

Widows and Widowers Group has guest speakers when available. Contact (504) 341-9522.

Sacred Heart, Lacombe

Sharing the Journey, a grief support group for widows and widowers, offers support and comfort in a confidential and prayerful setting to those experiencing the loss of a spouse. The facilitator is Beverly Domingue, a certified faith companion. Meetings are on the second Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. in the church. Contact (985) 882-5229.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Norco

Angels of Mercy Bereavement Group consists of parishioners who reach out to family members of the deceased. Along with spiritual support, the group provides food and drinks. Contact Dianne Mayeux at (504) 416-7073 or [email protected].

St. Angela Merici, Metairie

Bridge to Naim is a support group for the recently widowed. Meetings are led by a professional and are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Angela Merici Conference Room. There is no charge. Contact Jo at (504) 833-9470.

Coping with Life Alone is a ministry to help men and women who have lost their spouse either through death, divorce or separation. The 10-week program is offered twice a year, typically beginning in June and November/December, with meetings on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the St. Angela Merici Conference Room. Contact Joey Caruso at (504) 812-3300.

The Funeral Ministry assists families in planning their loved one’s Funeral Mass. One training session is required to serve. Contact Donna McNamara at [email protected].

St. Ann Church and Shrine, Metairie

Parish provides a room for the family of the deceased to gather during visitation. Contact (504) 455-7071, ext. 222.

St. Augustine, New Orleans

The Bereavement Committee is overseen by Oblate Father Emmanuel Mulenga, pastor. Members include Audrey Amos, June Dumas and Linda Harris. Call (504) 525-5934.

St. Benilde, Metairie

The Meal Ministry provides meals to parishioners after family losses/tragedies, surgeries, illnesses and new births. Contact (504) 834-4980.

The St. Benilde Grief Ministry includes:

• HALOS (Healing After Loss to Overdose or Suicide) Group for anyone who has lost a family member(s) by overdose or suicide. The group meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. in the parish office.
• Red Bird Ministries Grieving Parents Support Group for couples or individuals who have lost a child of any age, for any reason. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the parish office.
• TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) for family members whose loved ones died in military service. The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the parish office.

St. Benilde Grief Ministry will host a Survivors Day event, supported by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, on Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the school cafeteria.

St. Catherine of Siena, Metairie

The New Day Program is a structured, 10-week series using “The New Day Journal” by Sister Mauryeen O’Brien. Participants struggling with the loss of a loved one are guided through the four stages of grief using guided readings, small group discussion, journaling, prayer and Scripture reading. This program is offered in the fall and in the spring.

The Grief Support Coffee is less structured and provides those coping with the loss of a loved one an opportunity to share their feelings. Coffees are offered on the second Monday of each month throughout the year as participants are able.

For both programs, call Patricia Lawson at (504) 835-9343,  ext. 1571, or Becky Steppe (504) 835-9343, ext. 1547.

St. Charles Borromeo, Destrehan

The Next Chapter, a support group, offers moral and spiritual assistance to anyone suffering any type of loss. It meets once a month, with roundtable discussions and occasional guest speakers. The office staff assists family members in selecting readings and music. An annual memorial Mass will be celebrated Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. for those who have lost a loved one during the past year. Contact (985) 764-6383.
 

St. Christopher the Martyr, Metairie

This ministry offers compassion and caring for those who have suffered a loss. Contact Terry and Tom Canale at (504) 833-4251. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month in the parish center at 6:15 p.m.

St. David, News Orleans

The Bereavement Ministry offers assistance to members of the deceased’s family before and after the funeral. Meets monthly. Annual memorial Mass on the second Wednesday in November for families is celebrated by Josephite Father Oswald Pierre-Jules, pastor. Contact Frankie Gardner at (504) 947-2853.

St. Dominic, New Orleans

Parish grief ministry for spiritual and emotional care to parishioners who are mourning the loss of a loved one. Spiritual moderator, Father Jeffrey Merritt, parochial vicar, (504) 482-4156.

St. Francis Xavier, Metairie

The parish has two bereavement support groups that offer prayer and support for individuals who are grieving the death of a loved one. The groups are facilitated by a trained volunteer. There is one major event each year for the bereaved involving prayer and an opportunity to socialize. Call (504) 834-0340.

St. Gabriel the Archangel, New Orleans

The Bereavement Ministry provides comfort and support to parish families, assists them in planning the funeral and in making arrangements for music and the repast. The team prepares the church for the funeral. Contact (504) 282-0296.

St. Hubert, Garyville

The parish offers parishioners the parish hall, free of charge, for a family gathering after a funeral Mass. Call (985) 535-3312 to reserve. The Ladies Altar Society has three bereavement groups that rotate by receiving donated food and beverages on the morning of the funeral. The church supplies paper plates, napkins, dinnerware and cups, while the family provides food, ice, drinks and cleanup. Goodwill offerings are accepted for use of the hall.

St. Jane de Chantal, Abita Springs

The Bereavement Ministry offers compassion and support to families and friends of the deceased. The group offers Masses for the family and their loved one, provides coffee and light refreshments during visitation until the Mass begins. St. Jane Hall is available to families free of charge if they wish to bring and serve a meal either after the Mass or after the burial. Contact (985) 892-1439 or Jo Kieffer, chairwoman, at (985) 630-8508.

Widow/Widower Group provides an opportunity for those who have lost a spouse to share prayer, spiritual enrichment, encouragement and social activities. There are occasional guest speakers or visits to local shrines, churches, museums and restaurants. Regular meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Barre Center Library. Call the office at (985) 892-1439 or Mary S. Francis at (985) 290-9170.

St. Joachim, Marrero

The Bereavement Ministry strives to be a source of love, care and support to those who grieve the loss of a loved one. The ministry offers a prepared meal. Sympathy cards and Mass intentions are sent to the family. Contact Gina Fitch, (504) 348-8580, [email protected].

St. Joan of Arc, LaPlace

Bereavement Friends helps bereaved families with arrangements, providing food, rosaries and notifying friends. Members assist with the annual All Souls’ Day Mass and reception on Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. for parish families who have lost a loved one in the past year. Contact Frankie Tarullo at (985) 652-2334 or [email protected].

The parish also has a Bridge to NAIM group for the newly widowed. Meetings are the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. Contact Pat Menard at (504) 415-1032.

St. John the Baptist, Paradis

The Bereavement Ministry offers prayerful support to parishioners and others coping with grief of any kind. Contact Debra Frickey (985) 817-1244 or Janice Dufrene (985) 758-7845.

St. Joseph the Worker, Marrero

The Good Shepherd Ministry ministers to families who have lost a loved one by helping the family plan the funeral, reciting the rosary at the visitation or before the funeral liturgy and participating in the funeral Mass.

The Bereavement Ministry maintains contact with the family by offering prayerful grief support and a Memorial Mass. Deceased members are remembered at the All Souls’ Day Mass. Each summer a brunch is held for those families who have lost loved ones in the past two years. The pastor is available for spiritual guidance.

St. Luke the Evangelist, Slidell

The Bereavement Ministry reaches out to parishioners who have lost a loved one and coordinates with the family to arrange any gathering after the funeral. A Mass of Remembrance is offered Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. for families who have lost a member in the past year. Call parishioner liaison Kay Guard at (985) 641-6429 ext. 207.

St. Mary Magdalen,Metairie

The Arms Wide Open (AWO) Bereavement Ministry is a group of compassionate parishioners who help plan the funeral liturgy and attend; keep in touch and offer prayers and spiritual support during the year following the funeral; and offer information on grief counseling and other resources available at neighboring parishes and the archdiocese. A Mass is offered for the deceased, and a special All Saints’ Day Mass is offered for all buried from the parish in the past year.  Call (504) 733-0922.

St. Margaret Mary, Slidell

HALOS (Healing After Loss to Overdose or Suicide) group meets the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Evangelization Building. Contact Donna at (985) 201-2143 or Ester at (504) 621-7864.

St. Mary of the Angels, New Orleans

The Bereavement Committee, headed by Deirdre Landry, is available to discuss arrangements for the Funeral Mass. The Evangelization Ministry, headed by Vaughn Valeary, presents the bereaved family with a Bible, memorial card, list of church services and a pen. During the month of November, a Remembrance Altar is placed in church and parishioners may place pictures and programs on the altar for people to pray for their loved ones. A support group for those mourning their loved ones meets the last Wednesday of each month. Call (504) 945-3186.

St. Peter, Covington

The St. Peter Parish NAIM Ministry provides spiritual, emotional and social support to the elderly who have lost their spouse. Members meet once a month. For information, call (985) 892-2422.

St. Peter, Reserve

The Bereavement Committee offers sympathy and spiritual support to family members of deceased parishioners. Sympathy cards are sent to the family. 

Families of those who have lost loved ones during the past year are invited to the annual All Saints’ Day Mass and blessing of the cemetery. Anyone interested in helping with this ministry can contact Peggy Bienvenu at (504) 487-8769 or [email protected].

Sts. Peter and Paul, Pearl River

The Widows Support Group meets monthly to help support each other in any way that is needed. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month.

St. Raymond-St. Leo the Great, New Orleans

The Bereavement Ministry is composed of lectors, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, ushers and Health Ministry members. The group will visit the family of the deceased, upon request, to help them cope with their loss and assist in planning the Mass, including special tributes, readings, music and rosary. The group also will send a card to the family after the funeral. An annual Memorial Mass is celebrated for families who have lost a loved one during the year.