Clergy End-of-Life Documentation

All incardinated priests should have at least a Curriculum Vitae, with a photograph, and the one page Location of Personal Documentation Form on file, indicating where the diocese can find the necessary information and telephone number so the power of attorney and/or executor of every priest, in case of an emergency or death.  Once a form is completed, the forms are to placed in a sealed envelope and returned to the Chancellor.  It will then be placed in the fireproof safe at the chancery.  Please note, the forms are available in a fillable format, which enables them to be competed on the computer and printed.  Please remember to save the documents to your computer before you begin filling them out.  If you would like to fill them out by hand (legibly), just save the form to your computer and print them out.  

You are asked to have a copy of your current will/trust in a marked and sealed envelope.  The sealed file, or a form indicating where this information can be found, is to be sent to the Chancellor and will be kept in a confidential personal file, in the Chancery's fireproof vault.

Your are asked to execute a Durable Power of Attorney.  This legal document provides the name of a person who will assist you in handling your financial and other non-medical affairs.  This facilitates the prompt payment of bills, during times when you are unable.  A copy of your Durable Power of Attorney shoud be completed and sent to the Chancellor to be placed in a confidential file.  It will be referencded only, if needed.

You are asked to execute a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.  This legal document provides the name of the person who will make medical decisions for you, in the event you become physically or mentally incapable of doing so for yourself.  Ther person named in this document will use your Directive to Pysicians to help guide medical decisions.  The original Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care should be given to the individual designated and a copy sent to the Chancellor, to be placed in a confidential file.  It will be referenced only, if needed.

A Directive to Physicians is a legal document which you provide to your physicians and a designated person/health care proxy regarding your medical care, when you are unable to make such decisions for your self, due to a serious medical condition.  The document states your religious and moral beliefs, as a Catholic, and provides a general understanding of the medical treatments/interventions your would want done and those you would not want done at the time of terminal illness and imminent death, according to Church teachings.  A Directive to Physicians is a supplemental document to your Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.  A copy of your Directive to Physicians should also be sent to the Chancellor, to be placed in a confidential file.  It will only be referenced if a serious medical situation arises.

For organs/tissue to be utilized for donation they must be retrieved shortly after death.  A completed organ/tissue donation form allows your donation wishes to be known and followed.  A copy of your Organ/Tissue Donation Form should be sent to the Chacellor, to be kept in a confidential personal file in the Chancery vault.  Make sure your Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care knows of your wishes regarding organ/tissue donation and has a copy of a completed form, if you desire to  be a donor.

Each priest is to have some type of written record of personal effects.  For priests living in rectories, this particularly important so that there is a clear knowledge of what is the personal property of the priest and what is the property of the parish.  The sealed envelope is to be sent to the Chancellor and will be kept in a confidential personal file, in the Chancery vault.

Priests are asked to have a current Instructions for Priest's Funeral Form completed.  It is the best way to ensure your desires are fulfilled concerning your funeral arrangements, including funeral home to be used, funeral liturgies and place of burial.  It should be on file at the Chancery.  The sealed envelope should be sent to the Chancellor and will be kept in a confidential personal file in the Chancery vault.

Priests are asked to submit and updated curriculum vitae form.  The form, in a sealed envelope, should be sent to the Chancellor and will be kept in your confidential personal file in the Chancery vault.