Funerals & Weddings
Celebrating life's sacred moments with faith and hope!
At St. Ann’s Cathedral, we are honored to walk with individuals and families through some of life’s most meaningful moments. Whether you are preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony or seeking the comfort and hope of the Church following the death of a loved one, our parish is here to accompany you with prayer, compassion, and support.
Need more information? Have questions?
Contact us at:
Phone: 406-761-5456
Email: office@stannscathedral.org
โ Funerals
Comfort, Prayer & Christian Hope
What to Do When a Loved One Dies:
During the initial stages of planning, please contact our parish office to meet with our priest, Rev. Xavier Arimboor, who will gently guide you through the preparation process for a meaningful funeral for your loved one.
Call 406-781-1830 or email office@stannscathedral.org to schedule an appointment.
If you are working with a funeral home, the funeral director will assist in contacting St. Ann’s Cathedral and coordinating arrangements with our staff.
If you choose not to work with a funeral home, St. Ann’s Cathedral is here to help. We can offer budget friendly funeral arrangements and can assist you in preparing a loving, prayerful, and respectful celebration of your loved one’s life and their entrance into eternal life.
Planning the Funeral Mass:
We work with all local funeral homes to include Schnider's Funeral Home, O'Connor Funeral Home, and Croxford Funeral Home.
Scripture Readings:
There are three readings required for a Catholic funeral. The first reading is from the Old Testament, the second reading is from the New Testament, and the third reading is from the Gospel. Family members and friends are encouraged to participate by reading the First and Second readings. The Gospel is read by the Priest or Deacon celebrating the funeral. During your initial visit with us, we can help you make these selections.
For suggestions on scripture for Catholic funerals, please click the following link for the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops website: USCCB Funeral Resources
Funeral Music:
Our Music Director, Dawn Harant-Bushard, will help you select appropriate music for the funeral Mass and will also organize all musicians needed. At St Ann's Cathedral, we can provide an organist, pianist, and flutist upon request and depending on availability of the musicians' schedules.
Funeral Luncheons:
Funeral luncheons are provided FREE by St Ann's Cathedral to families who choose our parish to celebrate their deceased loved one. The only cost to the your family is the main entree that is paid for prior to the funeral date.
All set up, clean up, decorations, side dishes, desserts, and drinks are provided by our parish Funeral Ministry, managed by Mickey Ledford and her team of volunteers. Funeral luncheons are typically held in our Annex and St Mary's Garden next to the Cathedral.
For groups larger than 65 guests, we can request the Heisey Community Center gym for your luncheon. If the Heisey is not available, other options to be considered are the Knights of Columbus West Side Hall and the Black Eagle Community Center. These other venues are at an additional cost.
Preplanning a Catholic Funeral:
If you are interested in preplanning a funeral for a loved one or for yourself, contact us to make an appointment, so we can record your wishes in writing. All funeral plans are kept confidential and are only discussed with a designated friend or family member.
Contact Information:
Phone: 406-781-1830
Email: office@stannscathedral.org
Office hours: Tuesday - Friday, 10am - 2pm
Please contact us whenever you are ready. We are honored to support you and your family during this difficult time.
๐ Weddings
Congratulations on your engagement!
The Catholic Church considers marriage a sacred vocation and a lifelong covenant of love. St. Ann’s Cathedral welcomes couples as they prepare not only for their wedding day, but also for a faithful and lasting marriage.
Getting Started:
Because preparation for a Catholic wedding takes time, couples should contact St. Ann’s Cathedral at least 6 months before the desired wedding date and before finalizing plans with venues, photographers, caterers, or other vendors.
You can contact our office by phone at 406-781-1830. Or request an appointment by email at office@stannscathedral.org. Our parish staff will help you understand the Catholic marriage preparation process, available wedding dates, necessary paperwork, and the planning of your wedding liturgy.
Fees and Scheduling:
Our wedding fees vary, depending if the bride and/or groom are registered members of our parish or registered members at another parish (considered as non-registered).
Our fee schedule is as follows:
$500: Registered parishioners (registered at St Ann's for at least 6 months prior to initial appointment, on-site Pre-Cana included)
$800: non-registered couples attending another Catholic parish (Pre-Cana not included)
$1000: non-registered couples attending/members of another Catholic parish (on-site Pre-Cana included)
Marriage Preparation/Pre-Cana:
Our marriage prep/Pre-Cana on-site classes are with Deacon Tom Miller and his wife, Susan. Marriage prep classes are typically 12 weeks in length (1 class per week) and held on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00 pm in the Rectory office.
St Ann's Cathedral uses the Better Together series by Dynamic Catholic for all on-site Pre-Cana.
If you and your intended spouse are not able to attend in-person marriage prep classes due to scheduling with school, work, or military deployment, the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings has approved two websites with online Pre-Cana to fulfill the requirements of marriage prep. For more details, please click one of the links below:
(offers a $50 discount for military members)
Scholarships are also available at CatholicMarriagePrep.com for those in dire need. For more details, click here.
The Catholic Engaged Encounter is another marriage prep alternative, offering couples an opportunity to prepare for a lifelong, Christ-centered marriage through a weekend retreat experience. Couples can participate in an in-person retreat or, when available, a virtual retreat that fits their needs and schedule. (There are currently no in-person retreats in Montana. The closest in-person retreats are in the states of Idaho and Washington. The closest virtual retreats are in Pacific Time Zone only.)
The Catholic Engaged Encounter retreat provides time for couples to reflect, communicate, and grow together as they prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Learn more and find upcoming virtual retreats:
Catholic Engaged Encounter Virtual Retreats
Wedding Planning Guidelines:
Your wedding liturgy should reflect both the joy of your marriage and the sacred nature of the celebration.
We will help you select:
- Scripture readings
- Prayers and blessings
- Liturgical music
- Readers and other participants
- Processional and recessional music
- Other appropriate elements of the celebration
Our wedding planning resources will guide you through these choices and help make the process simple and meaningful.
Liturgical Music and Musicians
Our Music Director, Dawn Harant-Bushard, will help you select appropriate music for your wedding and will also organize all musicians requested. At St Ann's Cathedral, we can offer an organist, pianist, and flutist upon request. Availability is dependent on the musicians' schedules.
Fees for musicians are not included in the previously mentioned wedding costs. During your initial appointment with us, we can give you more details so you can make the best selection for your big day.
Marriage Convalidation:
Already civilly married? If you are Catholic and were married outside the Catholic Church, you may be interested in having your marriage recognized by the Church through a process called convalidation.
Please contact us regarding your desire for convalidation. We would be happy to talk with you privately about your circumstances and help you understand the next steps.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, we are here to help!
Contact us at:
Phone: 406-781-1830
Email: office@stannscathedral.org
Office hours: Tuesday - Friday, 10am - 2pm
*image courtesy of the following vendors:
Alyssa Knox Photography
Life In Bloom
https://www.lifeinbloommt.com/
Silhouette Bridal Studio
