Funerals
"Let your door stand open to receive Him, unlock your soul to Him, offer Him a welcome in your mind, and then you will see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the joy of grace. Throw wide the gate of your heart, stand before the sun of the everlasting light."
​- Saint Ambrose
If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
– Romans 6:8
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Because of our belief not only in the immortality of the soul, but also in the resurrection of the body, the Church professes hope in the face of death, and acts with charity in the funeral rites. Through private prayer and public funeral rites, we strengthen our faith and hope, comfort those who mourn, and bury the bodily remains of the deceased with care befitting what was the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
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At the Time of Death of a Loved One
Please contact the parish office to make funeral arrangements. We can help you in working with the funeral home and with planning the liturgy and appropriate hymns as well as the reception coordination.
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Contact Karen Kotara at kkotara@olachurch.org or call her at 404-261-7181 ext. 128.
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Pre-planning Your Funeral
We encourage our parishioners to make funeral plans in advance to ensure that your wishes are carried out and so that your loved ones are not burdened with making the arrangements in their time of grief.
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To assist you in your planning, we have created the following documents:
The Pre-Planning Worksheet: The worksheet can be downloaded by clicking here. Once complete, provide a copy for you loved ones and then return it to OLA for our files.
Suggested Readings List: This list provides you with reading suggestions for the funeral Mass. Funeral Mass: Readings
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Suggested Hymns List: This list provides you with music selections for the funeral Mass. Funeral Mass: Music
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Purchasing a Columbarium Niche in the Garden of Memories
In 2015 Archbishop Gregory blessed the columbarium at OLA for the burial of cremated remains. Inurnment in the columbarium is available for OLA parishioners, their family, and Catholics from the local area. Learn More About OLA’s Columbarium Here