End of Life planning
Planning for the future is an act of love and faith. Catholic Legacy is a free planning resource provided by the Diocese of Joliet to help parishioners prepare for important end-of-life decisions while reflecting their Catholic values and beliefs. Whether you are planning your own future or helping prepare for the funeral of a loved one, this tool provides a simple way to organize your wishes and important information in one place.
Planning Your Will
Catholic Legacy guides you through creating or updating your estate plan by helping you:
- Organize important personal, family, and financial information.
- Document your wishes so your loved ones have clear guidance when it is needed.
- Prepare a printable summary of your information for your records.
When you have completed your plan, you will receive a printable PDF that summarizes your information and wishes. We encourage you to print, sign, and store the document in a safe place where your loved ones can easily access it.
As part of your estate planning, Catholic Legacy also offers you the opportunity to consider leaving a legacy gift to Maternity BVM Catholic Church or another non-profit. While there is absolutely no obligation to do so, many faithful Catholics choose to support the Church's mission as a lasting expression of their faith.
Planning a Catholic Funeral
Catholic Legacy includes a funeral planning guide to help you thoughtfully consider your preferences for a Catholic funeral or memorial liturgy.
If you are planning your own funeral in advance, this section is intended to serve as a guide. Final funeral plans should always be discussed with your parish priest. Because funeral practices are carried out according to the norms of the Church and the judgment of the pastor serving at the time of your death, not every request or preference may be able to be accommodated.
If you are planning the funeral of a loved one who has recently passed away, you may also use this guide to help organize your thoughts before meeting at the parish. However, a meeting with a parish priest must be scheduled to finalize the funeral arrangements and discuss the liturgy.
After completing the funeral planning section, please print the PDF and bring it to your parish priest. The document serves as a helpful starting point for your planning conversation and will assist your priest in preparing a funeral that faithfully reflects the teachings and liturgical practices of the Catholic Church.
A Note from Maternity BVM Parish
At Maternity BVM Parish, we have our own collection of suggested Scripture readings and sacred music for Catholic funerals. If you would like to choose from these parish recommendations, simply select your preferred readings or hymns and enter them under "Other" in your Funeral Planning Guide. Your selections can then be reviewed and discussed with the parish priest during your funeral planning meeting.
