Catholic Funeral Prayers: Graveside, For the Dead & Comfort

Traditional Prayers for the Dead

These ancient prayers have been prayed by Catholics for centuries to commend the souls of the faithful departed to God's mercy.

Eternal Rest (Requiem Aeternam)

Requiem Aeternam

The most common Catholic prayer for the dead. Can be prayed at any time — at the funeral, at the grave, or in private.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Out of the Depths (De Profundis — Psalm 130)

De Profundis

One of the seven penitential psalms, traditionally prayed for the dead. Often prayed at the graveside or during the vigil.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word. More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord. For with the Lord is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.

May the Angels Lead You (In Paradisum)

In Paradisum

Traditionally sung or recited as the body is carried from the church. One of the most beautiful prayers in the funeral liturgy.

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. May the choir of angels welcome you. Where Lazarus is poor no longer, may you have eternal rest.

Graveside Prayers

Prayers for the Rite of Committal at the cemetery or place of burial.

Prayer of Committal

The central prayer of the graveside rite, prayed by the priest or deacon as the body is committed to the earth.

Because God has chosen to call our brother/sister N. from this life to himself, we commit his/her body to the earth, for we are dust and unto dust we shall return. But the Lord Jesus Christ will change our mortal bodies to be like his in glory, for he is risen, the firstborn from the dead. So let us commend our brother/sister to the Lord, that the Lord may embrace him/her in peace and raise up his/her body on the last day.

Blessing of the Grave

Prayed if the grave has not been previously blessed. The priest blesses the grave with holy water.

Lord Jesus Christ, by your own three days in the tomb, you hallowed the graves of all who believe in you and so made the grave a sign of hope that promises resurrection even as it claims our mortal bodies. Grant that our brother/sister may sleep here in peace until you awaken him/her to glory, for you are the resurrection and the life. Then he/she will see you face to face and in your light will see light and know the splendor of God, for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Intercessions at the Grave

Brief prayers of intercession at the graveside, led by the priest with responses from the assembly.

For our brother/sister N., let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ, who said, "I am the Resurrection and the Life." Lord, you wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend: comfort us in our sorrow. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. You raised the dead to life: give our brother/sister eternal life. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. You promised paradise to the repentant thief: bring our brother/sister to the joys of heaven. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Our brother/sister was washed in baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit: give him/her fellowship with all your saints. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Comfort us in our sorrow at the death of our brother/sister: let our faith be our consolation and eternal life our hope. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayers for Comfort and Mourning

Prayers for those grieving the loss of a loved one.

Prayer for Those Who Mourn

A prayer for the family and friends of the deceased, asking God for comfort and strength.

Lord God, you are attentive to the voice of our pleading. Let us find in your Son comfort in our sadness, certainty in our doubt, and courage to live through this hour. Make our faith strong through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer on the Anniversary of a Death

Traditionally prayed on the anniversary of the death of a loved one, or on All Souls' Day (November 2).

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the soul of N., your servant, the remission of all his/her sins, that through our prayers he/she may obtain the pardon which he/she has always desired. Who live and reign, world without end. Amen.

Prayer After a Sudden Death

When death comes suddenly and without warning, this prayer acknowledges the shock and asks for God's mercy.

Lord, as we mourn the sudden loss of N., we are overwhelmed and afraid. We did not have time to say goodbye. Grant us the grace to trust in your mercy. We believe that you hold N. in your arms now. Give us peace in the midst of our shock, and help us to find hope in the promise of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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These prayers are from the Order of Christian Funerals and the Roman Missal. Your priest will guide you on which prayers to use.