Catholic Funeral Liturgy

Catholic Funeral Liturgy

Order of Christian Funerals

THE ORDER OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS has three principal parts: the Vigil for the Deceased; the Funeral Mass or the Funeral Liturgy outside Mass; the Rite of Committal. 

VIGIL FOR THE DECEASED

INTRODUCTORY RITES
Greeting 
Opening Song 
Invitation to Prayer 
Opening Prayer
 
LITURGY OF THE WORD 
Scripture Readings with Responsorial Psalm
Homily

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Litany 
The Lord's Prayer 
Concluding Prayer (A family member or friend may speak in remembrance of the deceased.)
 
CONCLUDING RITE
Blessing
Song and/or a few minutes of silent prayer

Readings for a Christian Funeral


These Readings are suggested in the Order of Christian Funerals. At a funeral, one reading from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament and a Gospel are proclaimed. (Click the Bible Gateway and enter a bible reference from the list below to get the verse online.

Old Testament

Job 19:1, 23-27
Wisdom 3:1-9
Wisdom 4:7-15 
Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 
Lamentations 3:17-26
Daniel 12:1-3
2 Maccabees 12:43-46

New Testament

Acts 10:34-43 
Romans 5:5-11 
Romans 5:17-21 
Romans 6:3-9 
Romans 8:14-23 
Romans 8:3lb-35, 37-39
Romans 14:7-9, l0b-12
I Corinthians 15:20-23, 24b-28
I 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

Matthew 5:1-12a
Matthew 11:25-30
Matthew 25:1-13
Mathew 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

FUNERAL MASS

INTRODUCTORY RITES
Greeting & Sprinkling with Holy Water 
Placing of the Pall (and Christian Symbols)
Entrance Procession
Song 
Opening Prayer
 
LITURGY OF THE WORD 
Scripture Readings with Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation 
Homily 
General Intercessions
 
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Preparation of the Altar and the Gifts 
Eucharistic Prayer
Communion Rite
 
FINAL COMMENDATION 
Invitation to Prayer
Song of Farewell and Incense 
Prayer of Commendation
 
PROCESSION TO THE PLACE OF COMMITAL

RITE OF COMMITTAL


Invitation 
Scripture Verse 
Prayer over the Place of Committal
Committal 
Intercessions 
The Lord's Prayer
 
Concluding Prayer
 
Prayer over the People
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