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This is to only a general guide to the Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass. There are many options that the family and presider may choose for the different parts of the rite.

Introductory Rite

Greeting

Celebrant:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

 

R. Amen.

 

Sprinkling with Holy Water

Celebrant:

In the waters of baptism N. died with Christ and rose with him to new life. May he/she now share with him eternal glory.

 

Placing of the Pall

If it is the custom in the local community, the pall is then place on the coffin by family member, friends, or the priest.

 

Entrance Procession

The Easter candle is placed near the position the coffin will occupy at the conclusion of the procession. The priest and assisting minister precede the coffin.

 

Placing of Christian Symbols

A symbol of Christian life, such as the Book of the Gospels, Bible, or a cross, may be carried in the procession and placed on the coffin. One of the following text may be said.

 

Celebrant:

In life N. cherished the Gospel of Christ. May Christ now greet him/her with these words of eternal life: Come, blessed of my Father!

 

Celebrant:

In baptism N. received the sign of the cross. May her/she now share in Christ's victory over death.

 

Invitation to Prayer

Celebrant:

My brothers and sisters, we have come together to renew our trust in Christ who, by dying on the cross, has freed us from eternal death and, by rising, has opened for us the gates of heaven. Let us pray for our brother/sister, that he/she may share in Christ's victory, and let us pray for ourselves, that the Lord may grant us the gift of his loving consolation.

 

Opening Prayer

Celebrant:

O God, to whom mercy and forgiveness belong, hear our prayers on behalf of your servant N., whom you have called out of this world; and because he/she put his/her hope and trust in you, command that he/she be carried safely home to heaven and come to enjoy your eternal reward.

 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

 

Liturgy of the Word

1st Reading - (one of the following may be used)

Job 19:1,23-27

Wisdom 3:1-9

Wisdom 4:7-15

Isaiah 25:6a,7-9

Lamentations 3:17-26

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

Daniel 12:1-3

2 Maccabees 12:43-46

 

Responsorial Psalm

2nd Reading - (one of the following may be used)

Acts 10:34-43 Romans 5:5-11 Romans 5:17-21 Romans 6:3-9 Romans 8:14-23 Romans 8:31b-35,37-39 Romans 14:7-9,10b-12 1 Corinthians 15:20-23,24b-28 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1

2 Corinthians 5:1,6-10 Philippians 3:20-21 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 2 Timothy 2:8-13 1 John 3:1-2 1 John 3:14-16 Revelation 14:13 Revelation 20:11-21:1 Revelation 21:1-5a,6b-7

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel - (one of the following may be used)

Matthew 5:1-12a Matthew 11:25-30 Matthew 25:1-13 Matthew 25:31-46 Mark 15:33-39, 16:1-6 Luke 7:11-17 Luke 12:35-40 Luke 23:33,39-43 Luke 23:44-46,50,52-53;24:1-6a Luke 24:13-35

John 5:24-29 John 6:37-40 John 6:51-58 John 11:17-27 John 11:32-45 John 12:23-28 John 14:1-6 John 17:24-26 John 19:17-18,25-30

Homily

 

General Intercessions

Lord's Prayer

 

Final Commendation

Invitation to Prayer

Celebrant:
Before we go our separate ways, let us take leave of our brother/sister. May our farewell express our affection for him/her; may it ease our sadness and strengthen our hope. One day we shall joyfully greet him/her again when the love of Christ, which conquers all things, destroys even death itself.

 

Silence

 

Signs of Farewell

The Coffin may now be sprinkled with holy water and incensed, or this may take place during or after the song of farewell.

 

Song of Farewell

Celebrant:

Saints of God, come to his/her aid! Hasten to meet him/her, angles of the Lord!

 

R. Receive his/her soul and present her/him to God the Most High.

 

Celebrant:
 

May Christ, who called you, take you to himself; may angels lead you to the bosom of Abraham.

 

Prayer of Commendation

Celebrant:

Into your hands, Father of mercies, we commend our brother/sister N. in the sure and certain hope that, together with all who have died in Christ, he/she will rise with him on the last day.

 

We give you thank for the blessings which you bestowed upon N. in this life they are signs to us of your goodness and of our fellowship with the saints in Christ.

 

Merciful Lord, turn toward us and listen to our prayers: open the gates of paradise to your servant and help us who remain to comfort one another with assurances of faith, until we all meet in Chris and are with you and with our brother/sister for ever. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

 

Procession to Place of Committal

Celebrant:

In peace let us take our brother/sister to his/her place of rest.

 

May the angles lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome you and take you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.

souls have been refreshed here!