A Gentle Guide for Families
When someone we love dies, we are faced with many emotions and many practical decisions. During this difficult time, the Church is here to walk alongside you with prayer, compassion, and hope.
The funeral liturgy is the Church’s way of surrounding your loved one and your family with God’s love. Together, we gather to thank God for the gift of their life, to pray for their peaceful rest, and to find comfort in the promise of Christ’s resurrection.
The word “liturgy” simply means “the Church at prayer”. Through our prayers, Scripture, music, and the celebration of the Eucharist, we place our loved one into God’s loving hands, trusting that his love is stronger than death.
The funeral liturgy has three important purposes:
- To pray for your loved one, commending them to God’s loving mercy.
- To bring comfort and hope to family and friends as they grieve.
- To proclaim our Christian hope that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, eternal life is promised to all who believe.
As we gather in faith, we remember a life that has been lived, give thanks for the love that has been shared, and entrust our loved one to the God who has loved them throughout their life.
Planning the Funeral Liturgy
When someone dies, your funeral director will contact the parish priest or parish office to begin making the necessary arrangements. They will work closely with you to ensure that everything is prepared with dignity, care, and sensitivity.
The priest or deacon who will celebrate the funeral liturgy will meet with your family to help plan the celebration. Together you will have the opportunity to choose the Scripture readings, prayers, hymns, and discuss the offertory procession and any family participation.
To help with your planning, please note the following:
- During the funeral liturgy, sacred hymns are used to support prayer and reflection. As this is a liturgical celebration, not a secular celebration, secular songs are not to be included within the service itself. If you are arranging musicians or singers, please let them know this in advance, and ask them to come into the sacristy before the service begins to chat with the priest or deacon.
- If your family wishes to bring forward meaningful symbols or gifts, other than the bread and wine, these may be presented at the beginning of the Mass before the liturgy of the Eucharist begins.
- A short reflection or words of remembrance may be shared after the final blessing. The priest or deacon will be happy to offer guidance about this.
- Collection boxes are not permitted inside or outside the church. If the family wishes to support a charity in memory of their loved one, the funeral director can advise on suitable arrangements.
- Funeral Masses and liturgies are not celebrated on Sundays, as the Church’s Sunday liturgy is dedicated to the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection.
- Funeral Masses and liturgies at Saint Peter’s and Saint Paul’s Churches are normally celebrated at 10:00 in the morning.
If there is anything you are unsure about, please do not hesitate to speak with the priest, deacon, or parish office. We are here to support you and answer any questions you may have.
Proclaiming God's Word
The reading of Sacred Scripture is one of the most important parts of the funeral liturgy. Through these words, God speaks to his people with comfort, hope, and peace.
If you have been asked to proclaim one of the readings, you are offering a beautiful gift to your loved one and to everyone gathered. Your role is simply to read God’s Word with care and reverence, allowing its message of faith and hope to be heard.
Preparing to Read
If you have never read in church before, there is no need to worry. A little preparation can help you feel more confident.
- Read the passage aloud several times before the funeral.
- Take your time and read slowly so that everyone can hear and reflect on the words.
- Pause naturally between sentences rather than rushing.
- If there are any unfamiliar names or words, the priest or deacon will be happy to help with their pronunciation.
- Above all, remember that people are listening to God’s message of hope, not judging how well you read.
Your calm and thoughtful reading can bring comfort to those who are grieving and help everyone present reflect on God’s promise of eternal life.
FIRST READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READINGS
CHOICE ONE
FIRST READING
A Reading from the prophet Daniel.
I, Daniel, was doing penance when I received this message from the Lord: “At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who mounts guard over your people. There is going to be a time of great distress, unparalleled nations first came into existence. When that time comes, your own people will be spared, all those whose names are found written in the Book. Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace. The learned will shine as brightly as the vault of heaven and those who have instructed many in virtue, as bright as stars for all eternity.“
The Word of the Lord
CHOICE TWO
FIRST READING
A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew,
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace.
God has made everything beautiful in its time.
The Word of the Lord
FIRST READING
A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah
On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death for ever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
It will be said on that day, ‘Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
The Word of the Lord
CHOICE FOUR
FIRST READING
A Reading from the book of Wisdom
The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them.
In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster,
their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it,
their hope was rich with immortality;
slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be.
God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him;
he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted the as a holocaust. When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out;
as sparks run through the stubble, so will they.
They shall judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever.
They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.
The Word of the Lord
CHOICE FIVE
FIRST READING
A Reading from the book of Lamentations
My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, ‘Gone is my glory, and all that I had hoped for from the Lord.’ The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord
CHOICE SIX
FIRST READING
A Reading from the prophet Isaiah
You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off. Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
All who are incensed against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who strive against you will be as nothing and will perish. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
This is the word of the Lord.
CHOICE SEVEN
FIRST READING
A Reading from the book of Job
0 that my words were written down! 0 that they were inscribed in a book! O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved in a rock forever!
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I will see God, whom I will see on my side.
The Word of the Lord
‘-…:-\, /’cl-/ I
CHOICE EIGHT
FIRST READING
A Reading from the prophet Isaiah
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.’
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy. And the ransomed of the Lord will return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy will be upon their heads; they will obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
The Word of the Lord
CHOICE NINE – (EASTER SEASON ONLY)
FIRST READING
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Word of the Lord
CHOICE TEN – (EASTER SEASON ONLY)
FIRST READING
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Peter stood up and addressed them
“My brothers,” he said, “you know perfectly well that in the early days God made his choice among you; the gentiles were to learn the good news from me and so become believers. And God, who can read everyone‘s heart, showed his approval of them by giving the Holy Spirit to them just as he had to us. God made no distinction between them and us, since he purified their hearts by faith. Why do you put God to the test now by imposing on the disciples the very burden that neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were strong enough to support? But we believe that we are saved in the same way as they are; through the grace of the Lord Jesus.”
The Word of the Lord
RESPONSORIAL PSALMS
CHOICE ONE
The Response to the psalm is:
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Remember your mercy, Lord,
And the love you have shown from of old. In your love remember me,
Because of your goodness, 0 Lord.
Relieve the anguish of my heart And set me free from my distress. See my affliction and my toil
And take all my sins away.
Preserve my life and rescue me.
Do not disappoint me, you are my refuge. May innocence and uprightness protect me: For my hope is in you, 0 Lord.
CHOICE TWO
The response to the psalm is:
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
I love the Lord for he has heard the cry of my appeal;
for he has turned his ear to me in the day when I called him.
They surrounded me, the snares of death, with the anguish of the tomb;
they caught me, sorrow and distress.
I called on the Lord‘s name.
How gracious is the Lord, and just; our God has compassion.
The Lord protects the simple hearts; I was helpless so he saved me.
Turn back, my soul, to your rest for the Lord has been good;
he has kept my soul from death and my feet from stumbling.
CHOICE THREE
The response to the psalm is:
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides.me along the right path; he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.
You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.
In the Lord‘s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
CHOICE FOUR
The response to the psalm is:
To you, 0 Lord, I lift up my soul.
Lord make me know your ways. Lord teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth and teach me: For you are God my saviour.
Remember your mercy, Lord,
And the love you have shown from of old. In your love remember me
Because of your goodness, 0 Lord.
Relieve the anguish of my heart And set me free from my distress. Preserve my life and rescue me.
Do not disappoint me, you are my refuge.
CHOICE FIVE
The response to the psalm is:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord
to make music to your name, 0 Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning
and your truth in the watches of the night.
Your deeds, 0 Lord, have made me glad; for the work of your hands I shout with joy.
0 Lord, how great are your works, how deep are your designs.
The just will flourish like the palm-tree and grow like a Lebanon cedar.
Planted in the house of the Lord
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
Still bearing fruit when they are old, still full of sap, still green,
to proclaim that the Lord is just;
in him, my rock, there is no wrong.
CHOICE SIX
The response to the psalm is:
Out of the depths I cry to you, 0 Lord.
Out of the depths I cry to you, 0 Lord, Lord, hear my voice.
0 let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading.
If you , 0 Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive?
But with you is found forgiveness; for this we revere you.
My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word.
My soul is longing for the Lord more than watchman for daybreak.
Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption,
Israel indeed he will redeem from all its iniquity.
CHOICE SEVEN
The response to the psalm is:
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.
The lot marked out for me is my delight; welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me.
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight;
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay.
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand, happiness forever.
CHOICE EIGHT
The response to the psalm is:
In God alone is my soul at rest.
In God alone is my soul at rest; my help comes from him.
He alone is my rock, my stronghold, my fortress: I stand firm.
Take refuge in God all you people; trust him at all times.
Pour out your hearts before him for God is our refuge.
Do not put your trust in oppression nor vain hopes of plunder.
Do not set your heart on riches even when they increase.
For God has said only one thing; only two do I know:
that to God alone belongs power and to you, Lord, love.
CHOICE NINE
The response to the psalm is:
My soul is thirsting for you,
O Lord my God.
0 God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
That you are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me.
CHOICE TEN
The response to the psalm is:
I rejoiced when I heard them say; let us go to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the Lord.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates,0 Jerusalem –
Jerusalem, is built as a City with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord. In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper! May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings.
Because of my relatives and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you!“
Because of the house of the Lord, our God,
I will pray for your good.
SECOND READINGS
NEW TESTAMENT READINGS
CHOICE ONE
A Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans
With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give. Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen? When God acquits, could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus? No! He did not only die for us – he rose from the dead, and there at God’s right hand he stands and pleads for us. Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us.
For I am certain of this; neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The word of the Lord.
CHOICE TWO
SECOND READING
A Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians
We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus: God will bring them with him. We can tell you this from the Lord‘s own teaching, that any of us who are left alive until the Lord’s coming will not have any advantage over those who have died. At the trumpet of God, the voice of the archangel will call out the command and the Lord himself will come down from heaven; those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise, and then those of us who are still alive will be taken up in the clouds, together with them to meet the Lord in the air. So we shall stay with the Lord forever. With such words as these we should comfort one another.
The word of the Lord.
CHOICE THREE
SECOND READING
A Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans
The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; if we die, we die for the Lord, so alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life; it was so that he might be Lord of the dead and of the living. We shall all have to stand before the judgment seat of God; as scripture says: By my life – it is the Lord who speaks – every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall praise God. It is to God, therefore, that each of us must give and account of himself.
The word of the Lord.
CHOICE FOUR
SECOND READING
A Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
The word of the Lord.
CHOICE FIVE
SECOND READING
A Reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
The word of the Lord.
CHOICE SIX
SECOND READING
A Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans
If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for us all, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us?
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of the Lord
CHOICE SEVEN
SECOND READING
A Reading from the first letter of St. Peter
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith – being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Although you have not seen him you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The word of the Lord
CHOICE EIGHT
SECOND READING
A Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on the power of God.
Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him’ – these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.
The word of the Lord.
CHOICE NINE
SECOND READING
A Reading from the first letter of St. John
Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God‘s children; and that is what we are. Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us. My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.
The word of the Lord.
CHOICE TEN
SECOND READING
A Reading from Corinthians
Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about:
“Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, 0 death, is your victory? Where, 0 death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the word of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATIONS
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Lord, you have been our refuge age after age.
Before the mountains were born,
Before the earth and the world came to birth,
You were God from all eternity and forever.
Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord,
Whoever believes in me will never die.
Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Come, you whom my Father has blessed,
says the Lord,
Take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world.
Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
I came that you may have life,
and have it to the full, says the Lord.
Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
I am the way, and the truth, and the life;
no one comes to the Father except through me, says the Lord.
Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Those who find their life will lose it,
and those who lose their life for my sake
will find it, says the Lord.
Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away, says the Lord.
Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
Come, you whom my Father has blessed, says the Lord; take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world
Alleluia!
(or during Lent: Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus)
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
Let us pray for N., who has died. May the Lord grant him/her eternal life in the kingdom of God.
Lord hear us.
Let us pray that N., may enjoy the happiness of being reunited with loved ones and find joy in the company of the saints forever.
Lord hear us.
Let us pray for those who mourn that they may take strength from the words of Jesus and renew their faith in him, the resurrection and the life.
Lord hear us.
Let us pray that N., who has died may reach the safety of God’s eternal kingdom.
Lord, hear us.
For all the people of the parish – that we may realise that it is by giving that we receive; it is forgiving that we are forgiven; it is by dying that we are born to eternal life.
Lord, hear us.
For N., who now shares in the joy of the Kingdom where pain and suffering have no home.
Lord, hear us.
For all here present that we may remember that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, which is waiting for us in the next.
Lord, hear us.
For all who cared for N., in hospital and at home with kind hearts and gentle hands. We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for all God‘s people, and especially for the congregation that is here present; may God give all His people abundance of His heavenly grace.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for all those who have died as the result of war or violence. May God receive their souls in mercy. May He take all bitterness out of the hearts of those who mourn them. May their deaths serve to advance the cause of peace and justice and brotherhood in the world.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for all our departed relatives, friends and benefactors, and for all those for whom we have promised or are in any way obliged to pray. They have gone before us with,the sign of faith, may they sleep in the peace of Christ.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for all your servants who have died, and especially for those who have no one to pray for them. Grant them the forgiveness of all their sins, that through our prayers they may obtain the mercy for which they have always hoped.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for ourselves and for the world. May the fact of death remind us that we are creatures of an almighty but loving Creator. May the certainty of death give us an ever deeper faith in the reality of everlasting life, which Christ has promised us.
Lord, hear us.
That all who participate in the Eucharist may be nourished by the Word of God and the Bread of Life.
Lord, hear us.
That we may know that we are precious to God, and that he never forgets any of us.
Lord, hear us.
N., believed in Christ, the Good Shepherd; may he (she) now enjoy the fullness of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.
Lord, hear us.
That the Lord may grant him/her forgiveness for his/her sins.
Lord, hear us.
That those who grieve over his/her loss may be comforted by the knowledge that the Lord will take care of him/her.
Lord, hear us.
For those who do not follow Christ because they do not hear his voice or know him.
Lord, hear us.
In baptism N., received the light of Christ. Scatter the darkness now and lead her over the waters of death.
Lord, hear us.
Our brother/sister was nourished at the table of the Lord. Welcome her now at the table of the heavenly banquet.
Lord, hear us.
We are assembled here today in faith and confidence to pray for
N. Strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of your Son’s coming.
Lord, hear us.
That N., whose life was cut short by tragedy, may now enter into the fullness of that life Christ won for us with his death.
Lord, hear us.
That God‘s mercy may shine warmly on her/him, forgiving all her/his sins.
Lord, hear us.
For N., child of God (and heir to the kingdom), that he/she be held securely in God’s loving embrace now and for all eternity.
Lord, hear us.
For N‘s., family, especially his/her mother and father, (his/her brother(s) and sister(s), that they feel the healing power of Christ in the midst of their pain and grief.
Lord, hear us.
For N‘s., friends, those who played with him/her and those who cared for him/her, that they may be consoled in their loss and strengthened in their love for one another.
Lord, hear us.
For all parents who grieve over the death of their children, that they may be comforted in the knowledge that their children dwell with God.
Lord, hear us.
For children who have died of hunger and disease, that these little ones be seated close to the Lord at his heavenly table.
Lord, hear us.
For the whole Church, that we prepare worthily for the hour of our death, when God will call us by name to pass from this world to the next.
Lord, hear us.