St. Dominic Funeral Planning Guide
Funeral Wishes Information Sheet
Archdiocesan Teaching on Cremation
Now and at the Hour of Our Death - A guide from the Roman Catholic Bishops of Wisconsin on End of Life Decisions

In Remembrance...Past Year Death Records
Historical Death Records 1956-2006

Please contact Susan McNeil at 262-781-3480 if you need to schedule a funeral or have any questions regarding funeral at St. Dominic Parish. If your need is immediate, particularly over a weekend or holiday, you may also contact the pastoral staff member on-call by paging them at 1-414-998-6021. After dialing the number, follow the instructions that will be given to you, dial in the number where you can be reached, and then hang up. The person on call that day will call you back as soon as they are able.

The story is told of a wise old Italian Cardinal who, before his death, decreed that he wanted these words printed on his tombstone: "We weep because it is human...yet, we hope because it is Christian." This, indeed, is the paradox of death for the Christian - that we both bear the weight of loss and the hopeful message that death is not the last word for, as we pray: "You will not leave me for dead, nor lead your beloved astray" [Psalm 16].

While death is often sudden and unexpected, there are times when prolonged illness precedes death. In such cases, this time can be a graced opportunity for the dying person and his/her family to face the reality of impending death by talking about the funeral rituals. The pastoral staff of St. Dominic Parish is ready to meet with you to begin this process. Experience has shown that such conversation not only helps the dying person accept his/her own impending death but also aids the family and friends to bond together with the dying person in a way which is both realistic and hopeful.

If such an opportunity does not present itself before your loved one dies, we hope that you will call on us right after death so that we can minister to you in your time of loss.   Often the funeral home you choose will make the first contact to us.  Along with the personnel of the funeral home, the clergy, staff and parishioners of Saint Dominic Parish are ready to help you in whatever ways we can. Soon after we are advised of a death, either Susan McNeil, Pastoral Associate for Human Concerns, or one of our parish priests will contact you to set up a time to meet you to help you plan the funeral rites.

You can download the St. Dominic’s Funeral Planning Guide, as well as a Funeral Wishes Information Sheet.  We hope that they will be of particular help to you.  We have put this book together to acquaint you with the Catholic Order of Christian Funerals, as well as some of the ways we can minister to you and your family during the time of illness, death and grieving.  

In the days, weeks and months that follow, we pledge to you our prayers, our support and our sympathy. May the God of healing and consolation find a special place in your heart at this time of loss and sadness.

The Parish Community of St. Dominic