Liturgical Information
Funeral Mass - During the Easter Season

Themes & Motives: resurrection, consolation, prayer, hope

Introductory Rites -

Greeting

 

Sprinkling with Holy Water

 

[Placing of the Pall]

 

Introit:
Just as Jesus died and rose again, so will the Father bring with him those who have died in Jesus. Just as in Adam all men die, so in Christ all will be made alive, alleluia. (I Thes 4:14; I Cor 15:22)

 

[Placing of Christian Symbols]

 

Opening Prayer:
Lord, hear our prayers.
By raising your Son from the dead, you have given us faith.
Strengthen our hope that N., our brother (sister),
will share in 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.

• Acts of the Apostles [Everyone who believes in him has forgiveness of sins. /v.43]
• Psalm 27:1 / 4,7 / 8,9 / 13-14 [R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. /v.1]
• I Corinthians 15:51-57 [Death is swallowed up in victory. /v.55]
• Gospel Verse: Jn 11:25,26 [I am the resurrection and the life, said the Lord: he who believes in me will not die for ever.]
• Luke 24:13-35 [The Lord has been raised! It is true! /v.33]

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
we are united in this sacrament
by the love of Jesus Christ.
Accept these gifts
and receive our brother (sister) N.
into the glory of your Son,
who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Preface for Christian Death I: [The hope of rising in Christ]
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, who rose from the dead,
our hope of resurrection dawned.
The sadness of death gives way
to the bright promise of immortality.

Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended.
When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death
we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven.

And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven
we proclaim your glory
and join in their unending hymn of praise:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies, he will live. Anyone who lives and believes in me, will not die, alleluia (See Jn 11:25-26)

Prayer after Communion:
Lord God,
may the death and resurrection of Christ
which we celebrate in this eucharist
bring our brother (sister) N. the peace of your eternal home.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the 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 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.