Liturgical Information
Funeral Mass - Outside the Easter Season

Themes & Motives: consolation, prayer, resurrection, hope

Introductory Rites -

Greeting

 

Sprinkling with Holy Water

 

[Placing of the Pall]

 

Introit:
Other options are possible -- see Sacramentary
Give them eternal rest, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine on them for ever. (See Ezra 2:34-35)
  See Requiem æternam CNP Catalog #5092

 

[Placing of Christian Symbols]

 

Opening Prayer:
Other options are possible -- see Sacramentary
Almighty God and Father,
it is our certain faith
that your Son, who died on the cross, was raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of all who have fallen asleep.
Grant that through this mystery
your servant N., who has gone to his (her) rest in Christ,
may share in the joy of his resurrection.

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

Lectionary Readings:
There are many options given in the Lectionary from which to select readings for the Funeral Mass. These are merely suggestions.

• Wisdom 3:1-9 [The souls of the just are in the hands of God. /v.1]
• Psalm 23:1-3 / 3-4 / 5 / 6 [R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. /v.1]
• Romans 6:3-9 [If we have died with Christ, we believe that we are also to live with him. /v.8]
• Gospel Verse: Rev 14:13 [Happy are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.]
• John 14:1-6 [There are many rooms in my Father's house. /v.2]
    See CNP's Book of Sung Gospels - 2nd Edition CNP Catalog #3012-2

Prayer over the Gifts:
Other options are possible -- see Sacramentary
Lord,
receive the gifts we offer
for the salvation of N.
May Christ be merciful in judging our brother (sister) N.
for he (she) believed in Christ
as his (her) Lord and Savior.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preface for Christian Death III: [Christ, salvation and life]
Other options are possible -- see Sacramentary
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In him the world is saved,
man is reborn,
and the dead rise again to life.

Through Christ the angels of heaven
offer their prayer of adoration
as they rejoice in your presence for ever.
May our voices be one with theirs
in their triumphant hymn of praise:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
Other options are possible -- see Sacramentary
May eternal light shine on them, O Lord, with all your saints for ever, for you are rich in mercy. Give them eternal rest, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine on them for ever, for you are rich in mercy. (See Ezra 2:35,34)

Prayer after Communion:
Other options are possible -- see Sacramentary
Lord God,
your Son Jesus Christ gave us
the sacrament of his body and blood
to guide us on our pilgrim way to your kingdom.
May our brother (sister) N., who shared in the eucharist,
come to the banquet of life Christ prepared for us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Final Commendation -

Invitation to Prayer:
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]

 

Song of Farewell:
Saints of God, come to his (her) aid!
Hasten to meet him (her), angels of the Lord!

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

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

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

Eternal rest grant unto him (her), O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him (her).

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

 

Prayer of Commendation:
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 thanks 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 Christ
and are with you and with our brother (sister) for ever.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Processional to the Place of Committal:
In peace let us take our brother (sister) to his (her) place of rest.

1. May the angels lead you into paradise;
   may the martyrs come to welcome you
   and take you to the holy city,
   the new and eternal Jerusalem.
    
2. May choirs of angels welcome you
   and lead you to the bosom of Abraham;
   and where Lazarus is poor no longer
   may you find eternal rest.
    
3. Whoever believes in me, even though that person die, shall live.
   I am the resurrection and the life.
   Whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.