Liturgical Information
Funeral Mass –- Outside the Easter Season

[Other options are possible — see Roman Missal]

Liturgical Color: White or Violet or Black

Themes: consolation, prayer, resurrection, hope

In addition to the Mass music below, the music for the Vigil, for the First Station (At the Home), for the Procession to the Church, and for the Procession to the Cemetery can be found:

In the Graduale Romanum at pages 678-704.
In the Graduale simplex at pages 416-432.

Introductory Rites:

Greeting
Sprinkling with Holy Water
(Placing of the Pall)
Entrance Antiphon [Introit]:

Eternal rest grant unto them (him) (her), O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them (him) (her). IV Esdr 2:34-35 [Roman Missal]

— or —

May the Lord open to him (her) the gates of Paradise
that he (she) may return to that homeland
where there is no death, where eternal joy endures.
   _______
Requiem æternam dona eis Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis. IV Esdr 2:34-35; Ps 65:2-5
Ps. Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion; et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem. Ant. Requiem.
Ps. Qui audis orationem, ad te omnis caro veniet propter iniquitatem. Ant. Requiem.
Ps. Etsi prævaluerunt super nos impietates nostræ, tu propitiaberis eis. Ant. Requiem.
Ps. Beatus quem elegisti et assumpsisti, inhabitabit in atriis tuis. Ant. Requiem.
Ps. Replebimur bonis domus tuæ, sanctitate templi tui. Ant. Requiem.
[Graduale Romanum, p.669]
De necessitatibus meis eripe me… [Graduale Romanum, p.84]
Ego autem cum iustitia apparebo… [Graduale Romanum, p.94]
Intret oratio mea in conspectu tuo… [Graduale Romanum, p.363]
Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine… [Graduale Romanum, p.350]
Sicut oculi servorum in manibus… [Graduale Romanum, p.77]
Verba mea auribus percipe, Domine… [Graduale Romanum, p.84]
   _______
Requiem æternam dona eis Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis. IV Esdr 2:34-35; Ps 65:2-5
Ps. Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion; et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem. Ant. Requiem.
[Gregorian Missal, p.688]
Ego autem cum iustitia apparebo… [Gregorian Missal, p.497]
Intret oratio mea in conspectu tuo… [Gregorian Missal, p.586]
Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine… [Gregorian Missal, p.350]
   _______
Requiem æternam dona eis Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis. [Graduale simplex, p.401]
Psalm 65 can be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.
Dona eis, Domine, requiem sempiternam. [Graduale simplex, p.402]
Psalm 6 can be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.
Aperite mihi portas iustitiæ, et ingressus in eas confitebor Domino. [Graduale simplex, p.403]
Psalm 118 can be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.
(Placing of Christian Symbols)

Collect:

O God, almighty Father
our faith professes that your Son died and rose a- gain,

mer- cifully grant, that through this mystery
your servant N., who has fallen asleep in Christ, may rejoice to rise a- gain through him.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Ho-ly Spirit,
one God, for ev-er and ev-er. A-men.

— or —

O God, whose nature
is always to forgive and to show mer-cy,

we humbly implore you for your servant N.,
whom you have called (this day) to journey to you,

and since he (she) hoped and believed in you,
grant that he (she) may be led to our true homeland
to delight in ever- last-ing joys.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Ho-ly Spirit,
one God, for ev-er and ev-er. A-men.

— or —

O God, who are mercy for sinners
and the happiness of your Saints,

give, we pray, to your servant N., for whom (today) we perform the fraternal offices of burial,
a share with your chosen ones in the blessedness you give,

so that, on the day of resurrection
freed from the bonds of mortality,
he (she) may come be - for your face.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Ho-ly Spirit,
one God, for ev-er and ev-er. A-men.

— or —

O God, who have set a limit to this present life,
so as to open up an entry into eterni- ty,

we humbly beseech you,
that by the grace of your mercy,
you may command the name of your servant N.,
to be inscribed in the book of life.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Ho-ly Spirit,
one God, for ev-er and ev-er. A-men.

Lectionary Readings:

There are many options given in the Lectionary from which to select readings for the Funeral Rites. 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 - 4th Edition

Offertory Antiphon:

O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the sufferings of hell and from the deep abyss; deliver them from the mouth of the lion, may they not be swallowed up by hell, may they not fall into darkness; but may Saint Michael, the standardbearer, present them in holy light as you promised long ago to Abraham and his descendents.
(V. We offer our sacrifices and our prayers to you, O Lord; receive them for the souls that we are remembering today; O Lord, make them pass from death into life, as you promised long ago to Abraham and his descendents.)

_______

Domine Iesu Christe, Rex gloriæ, libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum de pœnis inferni, et de profundo lacu: libera eas de ore leonis, ne absorbeat eas tartarus, ne cadant in obscurum: sed signifer sanctus Michael repræsentet eas in lucem sanctam:
Quam olim Abrahæ promisisti, et semini eius.
(Ps. Hostias et preces tibi Domine laudis offerimus: tu suscipe pro animabus illis, quarum hodie memoriam faciamus: fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam.
Quam olim Abrahæ promisisti, et semini eius.) [Graduale Romanum, p.674]

De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine… [Graduale Romanum, p.368]

Domine, convertere, et eripe animam meam… [Graduale Romanum, p.283]

Domine, Deus salutis meæ… [Graduale Romanum, p.87]

Illumina oculos meos… [Graduale Romanum, p.290]

Miserere mihi, Domine… [Graduale Romanum, p.92]

Si ambulavero in medio tribulationis… [Graduale Romanum, p.341]

_______

De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine… [Gregorian Missal, p.594]

Domine, convertere, et eripe animam meam… [Gregorian Missal, p.464]

Illumina oculos meos… [Gregorian Missal, p.475]

Si ambulavero in medio tribulationis… [Gregorian Missal, p.554]

_______

Redemptor meis vivit, et in novissimo me renovabit. [Graduale simplex, p.410]
Psalm 18 can be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.

Habitabit in tabernaculo tuo, requiescet in monte sancto tuo. [Graduale simplex, p.411]
Psalm 15 can be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.

In conspectu Angelorum psallam tibi, Deus meus. [Graduale simplex, p.412]
Psalm 138 can be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.

Prayer over the Offerings:

As we humbly present to you
these sacrifical offerings, O Lord,
for the salvation of your servant, N.,

we beseech your mercy,
that he (she), who did not doubt your Son
to be a loving Savior,
may find in him a mer- ci-ful Judge.

Who lives and reigns for ev-er and ev-er. A-men.

— or —

Be near, O Lord, we pray, to your servant N.,
on whose funeral day
we offer you this sacrifice of concilia- tion,

so that, should any stain of sin have clung to him (her),
or any human fault have affected him (her),
it may, by your loving gift, be forgiven and wiped a- way.

Through Christ our Lord. A-men.

Preface I for the Dead: [The hope of resurrection in Christ]

There are five options given in the Roman Missal. This Preface is merely a suggestion.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.

In him the hope of blessed resurrection has dawned,
that those saddened by the certainty of dying,
might be consoled by the promise of immortality to come.
Indeed for your faithful, Lord,
life is changed not ended,
and, when this earthly dwelling turns to dust,
an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven.

And so, with Angels and Archangels
with Thrones and Dominions,
and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven,
we sing the hymn of your glory,
as without end we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts…

Communion Antiphon:

Let perpetual light shine upon them (him) (her),
with your Saints for ever, for you are merciful.
Eternal rest grant unto them (him) (her), O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them (him) (her),
with your Saints for ever, for you are merciful. IV Esdr 2:34-35 [Roman Missal]

— or —

We await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
who will change our mortal bodies,
to conform with his glorified body. Phil 3:20-21 [Roman Missal]

_______

Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine, cum sanctis tuis in æternum, quia pius es. [Graduale Romanum, p.676]
Psalm 130:1-8 -or- Psalm 121:1-8 -or- Psalm 23:1-6 can be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.

Amen dico vobis: quod uni… [Graduale Romanum, p.79]
with Psalm 6:2-7

Domine, quinque talenta tradidisti mihi… [Graduale Romanum, p.515]
with Psalm 16:1-10

Domine, quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo… [Graduale Romanum, p.102]

Dominus regit me et nihil mihi deerit… [Graduale Romanum, p.365]

Illumina faciem tuam super servum tuum… [Graduale Romanum, p.271]

Notas mihi fecisti vias vitæ… [Graduale Romanum, p.362]

Panis quem ego dedero, caro mea est… [Graduale Romanum, p.322]
with Psalm 27:1-14

Qui manducat carnem meam… [Graduale Romanum, p.383]
with Psalm 23:1-6

Qui mihi ministrat, me sequator… [Graduale Romanum, p.484]

_______

Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine, cum sanctis tuis in æternum, quia pius es. [Gregorian Missal, p.695]

Amen dico vobis: quod uni… [Gregorian Missal, p.602]

Domine, quinque talenta tradidisti mihi… [Gregorian Missal, p.595]

Dominus regit me et nihil mihi deerit… [Gregorian Missal, p.590]

Illumina faciem tuam super servum tuum… [Gregorian Missal, p.445]

Notas mihi fecisti vias vitæ… [Gregorian Missal, p.585]

Panis quem ego dedero, caro mea est… [Gregorian Missal, p.526]

Qui manducat carnem meam… [Gregorian Missal, p.423]

_______

Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine, cum sanctis tuis in æternum, quia pius es. [Graduale simplex, p.413]
Psalm 130 can be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.

Audivi vocem de cælo dicentem: Beati mortui, qui in Domino moriuntur. [Graduale simplex, p.414]
Psalm 121 can be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.

Portio mea, Domine, sit in terra viventium. [Graduale simplex, p.415]
Psalm 142 can be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.

Prayer after Communion:

Lord God, whose Son left us,
in the Sacrament of his Body,
food for the jour-ney,

mer- cifully grant that, strengthened by it,
our brother (sister) N. may come
to the eternal ta- ble of Christ.

Who lives and reigns for ev-er and ev-er. A-men.

— or —

Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that your servant N.,
who (today) has journeyed from this world,

may by this sacrifice be cleansed and freed from sin
or any human fault have affected him (her),
and so received the everlsating joys of the re-sur- rection.

Through Christ our Lord. A-men.

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.
Other options here are given on the Music Suggestions page.

** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published. The offertory antiphon used here is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.

The English translation of the Entrance Antiphon [Introit], Collect, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Offerings, Preface, Communion Antiphon, and Prayer after Communion from The Roman Missal, © Copyright 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corp. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from the First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel are taken from the New American Standard Bible ® © Copyright 1973 The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Liturgical InformationFuneral Mass –- Outside the Easter Season

Liturgical Color: White or Violet or Black

Themes: consolation, prayer, resurrection, hope

Introductory Rites:

Greeting

Sprinkling with Holy Water

(Placing of the Pall)

Entrance Antiphon [Introit]:

(Placing of Christian Symbols)

Collect:

Lectionary Readings:

Offertory Antiphon:

Prayer over the Offerings:

Preface I for the Dead: [The hope of resurrection in Christ]

Communion Antiphon:

Prayer after Communion:

Final Commendation

Invitation to Prayer:

Silence

(Signs of Farewell)

Song of Farewell:

Prayer of Commendation:

Processional to the Place of Committal:

Liturgical Information
Funeral Mass –- Outside the Easter Season