Funeral Rites
There are three main funeral rites available following the death of a member of the Catholic Church. You may choose from among these options:
Vigil for the Deceased
The night before the funeral, family and friends may come together for a “Vigil”. It is customary to pray a Rosary at the Vigil for the Deceased, but there are other options available. The Vigil is usually held in the Parish Church.
The night before the funeral, family and friends may come together for a “Vigil”. It is customary to pray a Rosary at the Vigil for the Deceased, but there are other options available. The Vigil is usually held in the Parish Church.
Requiem Mass or Funeral Service
In the Catholic Church, you may choose between two types of ‘funeral service’. It is most common for the funeral to be a Requiem (Funeral) Mass. The Mass is the greatest prayer of the Church because it makes present Christ’s own death and resurrection, by which we are able to access eternal life, and so is the most common form of Catholic funeral. It is also possible to have a Funeral Service, which includes readings from Sacred Scripture but does not include the Consecration or Holy Communion. This form of funeral may be appropriate if many people attending the funeral are unfamiliar with the Church’s liturgy. In preparing the Requiem Mass or Funeral Service with the priest, you will be able to select from a variety of readings from Sacred Scripture, prayers and hymns that reflect the Catholic understanding of death and eternal life.
The normal venue for a Catholic funeral is a Catholic church. On rare occasions, it may be preferable to hold the funeral at a funeral chapel. Approval to hold a Catholic funeral outside a Catholic church must be sought from the celebrating priest prior to booking the venue.
In the Catholic Church, you may choose between two types of ‘funeral service’. It is most common for the funeral to be a Requiem (Funeral) Mass. The Mass is the greatest prayer of the Church because it makes present Christ’s own death and resurrection, by which we are able to access eternal life, and so is the most common form of Catholic funeral. It is also possible to have a Funeral Service, which includes readings from Sacred Scripture but does not include the Consecration or Holy Communion. This form of funeral may be appropriate if many people attending the funeral are unfamiliar with the Church’s liturgy. In preparing the Requiem Mass or Funeral Service with the priest, you will be able to select from a variety of readings from Sacred Scripture, prayers and hymns that reflect the Catholic understanding of death and eternal life.
The normal venue for a Catholic funeral is a Catholic church. On rare occasions, it may be preferable to hold the funeral at a funeral chapel. Approval to hold a Catholic funeral outside a Catholic church must be sought from the celebrating priest prior to booking the venue.
Rite of Committal
The final rite of the funeral process is the Rite of Committal. This takes place at the grave, tomb or crematorium, where the priest leads a series of prayers and blesses the place of burial or internment. If cremation occurs privately, the priest may lead the prayers of Committal at the hearse before it leaves the church.
The final rite of the funeral process is the Rite of Committal. This takes place at the grave, tomb or crematorium, where the priest leads a series of prayers and blesses the place of burial or internment. If cremation occurs privately, the priest may lead the prayers of Committal at the hearse before it leaves the church.
Outlines
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Vigil
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Funeral Liturgy
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Rite of Committal
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Introductory Rites
- Greeting
- Opening Song
- Invitation to Prayer
- Opening Prayer
- First Reading
- Responsorial Psalm
- Gospel
- Homily
- Litany
- The Lord's Prayer
- Concluding Prayer
- Blessing
Introductory Rites
If the Eucharist is not celebrated, the Intercessions end with the Lord's Prayer.
Final Commendation
- Entrance Procession
- Greeting
- Words of Remembrance (Eulogy)
- Photo Presentation
- Sprinkling with Holy Water
- [Placing of the Pall]
- [Christian Symbols]
- Invitation to Prayer
- Opening Prayer
- Readings
- Homily
- General Intercessions - Prayers of the Faithful
If the Eucharist is not celebrated, the Intercessions end with the Lord's Prayer.
Final Commendation
- Invitation to Prayer
- Silence
- [Signs of Farewell]
- Song of Farewell
- Prayer of Commendation
Invitation
Scripture Verse
Prayer over the Place of Committal
Committal
Intercessions
The Lord's Prayer
Concluding Prayer
Prayer over the People
Scripture Verse
Prayer over the Place of Committal
Committal
Intercessions
The Lord's Prayer
Concluding Prayer
Prayer over the People
Readings and Prayers of the Faithful
In the funeral liturgy, there may be two readings and a psalm before the gospel or one reading and a psalm.
EITHER:
First Reading (Old Testament or in the Easter season, Acts of the Apostles or Apocalypse)
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading (Letters of St Paul or St John)
Alleluia (Omitted if not sung)
Gospel
OR:
First Reading (Old or New Testament)
Responsorial Psalm
Alleluia (Omitted if not sung)
Gospel
EITHER:
First Reading (Old Testament or in the Easter season, Acts of the Apostles or Apocalypse)
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading (Letters of St Paul or St John)
Alleluia (Omitted if not sung)
Gospel
OR:
First Reading (Old or New Testament)
Responsorial Psalm
Alleluia (Omitted if not sung)
Gospel
First Reading
OT1 For a person not baptised... Job 19:1 23-27 + Ps 26
OT2 For one who suffered... Wisdom 3:1-9 + Ps 114-115
OT3 For a young person or one who died too soon... Wisdom 4:7-15 + Ps 22
OT4 For a child... For a person not baptised... Isaiah 25:6-9 + Ps 22
OT5 For a child or adult... for a person not baptised... Lam 3:17-26 + Ps 24
OT6 The Last Day... God's Judgement... Daniel 12:1-3 + Ps 41
OT7 Resurrection... prayer for the dead... 2 Maccabees 12:43-45 + Ps 102
NT1 Easter Season... for all who are outsiders... Acts 10:34-43 + Ps 62
NT2 Easter Season... for those who worked hard... Apocalypse 14:13 + Ps 129
NT3 Easter Season... God's judgement... Apocalypse 20:11-21:1 + Ps 142
NT4 Easter Season... For a child or adult... heaven... Apocalypse 21:1-7 + Ps 121
NT5 Easter Season... for a child... Apocalypse 7:9-10, 15-17 + Ps 148
OT1 For a person not baptised... Job 19:1 23-27 + Ps 26
OT2 For one who suffered... Wisdom 3:1-9 + Ps 114-115
OT3 For a young person or one who died too soon... Wisdom 4:7-15 + Ps 22
OT4 For a child... For a person not baptised... Isaiah 25:6-9 + Ps 22
OT5 For a child or adult... for a person not baptised... Lam 3:17-26 + Ps 24
OT6 The Last Day... God's Judgement... Daniel 12:1-3 + Ps 41
OT7 Resurrection... prayer for the dead... 2 Maccabees 12:43-45 + Ps 102
NT1 Easter Season... for all who are outsiders... Acts 10:34-43 + Ps 62
NT2 Easter Season... for those who worked hard... Apocalypse 14:13 + Ps 129
NT3 Easter Season... God's judgement... Apocalypse 20:11-21:1 + Ps 142
NT4 Easter Season... For a child or adult... heaven... Apocalypse 21:1-7 + Ps 121
NT5 Easter Season... for a child... Apocalypse 7:9-10, 15-17 + Ps 148
Second Reading
1 Christ died to save us from our sins... Rom 5:5-11
2 For all who are outsiders... Rom 5:17-21
3 For a baptised child or adult... Rom 6:3-9
4 For a disabled person or one who has suffered... Rom 8:14-23
5 For one who had a difficult life or who died as a victim of crime... Rom 8:31-35, 37-39
6 For a child or adult... Rom 14:7-12
7 For a child or adult... 1 Cor 15:20-28
8 For a person not baptised... 1 Cor 15:51-57
9 Life with the risen Christ... 2 Cor 4:14-5:1
10 At home with God... 2 Cor 5:1, 6-10
11 Heaven our home... Philippians 3:20-21
12 For a child or adult... hope... 1 Thess 4:13-18
13 For one who suffered, was persecuted or marginalised... 2 Tim 2:8-13
14 God's love... 1 John 3:1-2
15 For one who died for the sake of another... 1 John 3:14-16
16 For a child... Eph 1:3-5
1 Christ died to save us from our sins... Rom 5:5-11
2 For all who are outsiders... Rom 5:17-21
3 For a baptised child or adult... Rom 6:3-9
4 For a disabled person or one who has suffered... Rom 8:14-23
5 For one who had a difficult life or who died as a victim of crime... Rom 8:31-35, 37-39
6 For a child or adult... Rom 14:7-12
7 For a child or adult... 1 Cor 15:20-28
8 For a person not baptised... 1 Cor 15:51-57
9 Life with the risen Christ... 2 Cor 4:14-5:1
10 At home with God... 2 Cor 5:1, 6-10
11 Heaven our home... Philippians 3:20-21
12 For a child or adult... hope... 1 Thess 4:13-18
13 For one who suffered, was persecuted or marginalised... 2 Tim 2:8-13
14 God's love... 1 John 3:1-2
15 For one who died for the sake of another... 1 John 3:14-16
16 For a child... Eph 1:3-5
Responsorial Psalm
1 Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me... Psalm 22 (23)
2 To you, O Lord, I lift my soul... Psalm 24 (25)
3 The Lord is my light and my salvation... Psalm 26 (27)
4 My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?... Psalm 41 (42)
5 My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God... Psalm 62 (63)
6 The Lord is kind and merciful... Psalm 102 (103)
7 I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living... Psalm 114 & 115 (116)
8 I rejoiced when I heard them say: Let us go to the house of the Lord... Psalm 121 (122)
9 Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord... Psalm 129 (130)
10 O Lord, hear my prayer... Psalm 142 (143)
1 Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me... Psalm 22 (23)
2 To you, O Lord, I lift my soul... Psalm 24 (25)
3 The Lord is my light and my salvation... Psalm 26 (27)
4 My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?... Psalm 41 (42)
5 My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God... Psalm 62 (63)
6 The Lord is kind and merciful... Psalm 102 (103)
7 I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living... Psalm 114 & 115 (116)
8 I rejoiced when I heard them say: Let us go to the house of the Lord... Psalm 121 (122)
9 Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord... Psalm 129 (130)
10 O Lord, hear my prayer... Psalm 142 (143)
Gospel
1 For those who were poor in spirit, gentle etc... Matt 5:1-12
2 For a child or a person with child-like simplicity... Matt 11:25-30
3 For one who awaited death or was ready for death... Matt 25:1-13
4 For one who helped others... Matt 25:31-46
5 For a child or adult... for a person not baptised... Mark 15:33-39, 16:1-6
6 For a young person... Luke 7:11-17
7 For one who awaited death or was ready for death... Luke 12:35-40
8 Christ our saviour... Luke 23:33, 39-43
9 Jesus' death and resurrection... Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53, 24:1-6
10 For one who loved the Mass... Luke 24:13-35
11 For a person of faith... John 5:24-29
12 For a child or adult... John 6:37-40
13 For a child or adult who loved the Mass... John 6:51-58
14 I am the resurrection and the life... John 11:17-27
15 For a child or adult... grief and consolation... John 11:32-45
16 A grain of wheat... God glorifies Christ... John 12:23-28
17 Christ prepares a place for us... John 14:1-6
18 One with Christ in glory... John 17:24-26
19 For a child or adult... John 19:17-18. 25-39
1 For those who were poor in spirit, gentle etc... Matt 5:1-12
2 For a child or a person with child-like simplicity... Matt 11:25-30
3 For one who awaited death or was ready for death... Matt 25:1-13
4 For one who helped others... Matt 25:31-46
5 For a child or adult... for a person not baptised... Mark 15:33-39, 16:1-6
6 For a young person... Luke 7:11-17
7 For one who awaited death or was ready for death... Luke 12:35-40
8 Christ our saviour... Luke 23:33, 39-43
9 Jesus' death and resurrection... Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53, 24:1-6
10 For one who loved the Mass... Luke 24:13-35
11 For a person of faith... John 5:24-29
12 For a child or adult... John 6:37-40
13 For a child or adult who loved the Mass... John 6:51-58
14 I am the resurrection and the life... John 11:17-27
15 For a child or adult... grief and consolation... John 11:32-45
16 A grain of wheat... God glorifies Christ... John 12:23-28
17 Christ prepares a place for us... John 14:1-6
18 One with Christ in glory... John 17:24-26
19 For a child or adult... John 19:17-18. 25-39
Prayers of the Faithful
For the one who has died...
1 For N., a child of God and heir to the kingdom, that he/she may be held securely in God's loving embrace now and for all eternity. We pray to the Lord.
2 That God in his mercy may blot out all N's offences, establish him/her in light and peace, and call him/her to happiness in the company of all the saints. We pray to the Lord.
3 That God will receive our praise and thanksgiving for the life of N. We pray to the Lord.
4 In baptism, N received the light of Christ. Let us pray that God will now scatter the darkness and lead him/her over the waters of death. We pray to the Lord.
1 For N., a child of God and heir to the kingdom, that he/she may be held securely in God's loving embrace now and for all eternity. We pray to the Lord.
2 That God in his mercy may blot out all N's offences, establish him/her in light and peace, and call him/her to happiness in the company of all the saints. We pray to the Lord.
3 That God will receive our praise and thanksgiving for the life of N. We pray to the Lord.
4 In baptism, N received the light of Christ. Let us pray that God will now scatter the darkness and lead him/her over the waters of death. We pray to the Lord.
For the bereaved family...
1 The family and friends of N seek comfort and consolation. Let us pray that God will heal their pain and dispel the darkness and doubt that come from grief. We pray to the Lord.
2 For the family and friends of our brother/sister N that they may be consoled in their grief by the Lord who wept at the death of their friend Lazarus. We pray to the Lord.
3 That all of us, N's family and friends, may be comforted in our grief. We pray to the Lord.
4 For N's family (especially his/her mother, father, brother, sister...) that they may feel the healing power of Christ in the midst of their pain and grief. We pray to the Lord.
1 The family and friends of N seek comfort and consolation. Let us pray that God will heal their pain and dispel the darkness and doubt that come from grief. We pray to the Lord.
2 For the family and friends of our brother/sister N that they may be consoled in their grief by the Lord who wept at the death of their friend Lazarus. We pray to the Lord.
3 That all of us, N's family and friends, may be comforted in our grief. We pray to the Lord.
4 For N's family (especially his/her mother, father, brother, sister...) that they may feel the healing power of Christ in the midst of their pain and grief. We pray to the Lord.
For the assembled mourners...
1 For all of us assembled here to worship in faith, that we may be gathered together again in God's kingdom. We pray to the Lord.
2 We are assembled here in faith and confidence to pray for our brother/sister N. Let us pray that God will strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of the coming of Christ. We pray to the Lord.
3 That the Lord Jesus who blesses those who mourn and are in pain will look upon N's family and friends who gather around him/her today. We pray to the Lord.
4 For us the Church, that we may prepare worthily for the hour of our death, when God will call us by name to pass from this world to the next. We pray to the Lord.
1 For all of us assembled here to worship in faith, that we may be gathered together again in God's kingdom. We pray to the Lord.
2 We are assembled here in faith and confidence to pray for our brother/sister N. Let us pray that God will strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of the coming of Christ. We pray to the Lord.
3 That the Lord Jesus who blesses those who mourn and are in pain will look upon N's family and friends who gather around him/her today. We pray to the Lord.
4 For us the Church, that we may prepare worthily for the hour of our death, when God will call us by name to pass from this world to the next. We pray to the Lord.
For others who have died...
1 That God may welcome into glory those of our family and friends who have departed this life (especially...) We pray to the Lord.
2 Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and await the kingdom. May God grant them an everlasting home with Christ. We pray to the Lord.
3 Those who trusted in the Lord now sleep in the Lord. Let us pray that all the faithful departed will find in God refreshment, rest, and peace. We pray to the Lord.
4 For all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of rising again, that they may see God face to face. We pray to the Lord.
1 That God may welcome into glory those of our family and friends who have departed this life (especially...) We pray to the Lord.
2 Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and await the kingdom. May God grant them an everlasting home with Christ. We pray to the Lord.
3 Those who trusted in the Lord now sleep in the Lord. Let us pray that all the faithful departed will find in God refreshment, rest, and peace. We pray to the Lord.
4 For all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of rising again, that they may see God face to face. We pray to the Lord.
