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