Paul Turner is pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri, and director of the Office of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Kansas City––St. Joseph. He holds a doctorate in sacred theology from Sant’ Anselmo in Rome. He is a former president of the North American Academy of Liturgy and a member of Societas Liturgica and the Catholic Academy of Liturgy. He is the author of numerous books published by Liturgical Press and a contributor to Give Us This Day. Most recently, he is the recipient of four awards from the 2025 Catholic Media Association Book Awards, including First Place for Author of the Year. Visit his website at https://paulturner.org.

• Contents  AcknowledgmentsPreface  1 Pastoral CareThe Person Who Died Funeral Homes and Cemeteries The Obituary Planning the Ceremonies What We Are Doing Cremation The Absence of the Body The Three Stages  2 Rituals“The Last Rites” The Liturgical Environment The Wake Related Rites and Prayers The Funeral Mass The Rite of Committal Musical Selections The Role of Priests  3 ToolboxThe Readings Sample Homilies Handouts for Mourners

Light in the Darkness: Preparing Better Catholic Funerals is a succinct and thoughtful presentation of the Church's liturgical theology of her funeral rites. Clergy, pastoral associates, musicians, and all who are entrusted with the planning of Catholic funerals will find this work to be an engaging and helpful pastoral resource. Fr. Turner's vast experience as a liturgical scholar and pastor shine forth in this valuable guide.Fr. Matthew Ernest, Director of the Office of Liturgy, Archdiocese of New York, Professor and Director of Liturgy, St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie