Death and dying are parts of life. While some people fear them, others draw inspiration from death.
As nurses, it’s inevitable for us to see some of our patients die and their families deeply grieve for them. Although we can’t bring back their loved ones, there are still ways for us to provide comfort, strength and guidance to the families our patients left behind.
Here are 10 powerful prayers for the departed.
For the recently deceased
In your hands, O Lord,
we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters.
In this life you embraced them with your tender love;
deliver them now from every evil
and bid them eternal rest.
The old order has passed away:
welcome them into paradise,
where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain,
but fullness of peace and joy
with your Son and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer for the souls in purgatory
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.
Prayer for deceased relatives and friends
Almighty Father, source of forgiveness and salvation, grant that our relatives and friends who have passed from this life may, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all the saints, come to share your Eternal happiness through Christ our Lord. Amen
Prayers for the deceased for forgiveness and peace and for mourners
Lord Jesus, our Redeemer, You willingly gave Yourself up to death so that all people might be saved and pass from death into a new life. Listen to our prayers; look with love on Your people who mourn and pray for their dead brother/sister.
Lord Jesus, You alone are holy and compassionate; forgive our brother/sister his/her sins.
By dying You opened the gates of life for those who believe in You; do not let Your brother/sister be parted from You, but by Your glorious power give him/her light, joy, and peace in heaven where You live for ever and ever. Amen.
My brother (sister) in faith, I entrust you to God Who created you.
May you return to the One Who formed you from the dust of this earth.
May Mary, the angels, and all the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life.
May Christ Who was crucified for you bring you freedom and peace.
May Christ, the Son of God, Who died for you take you into His kingdom.
May Christ, the Good Shepherd, give you a place within His flock.
May He forgive your sins and keep you among His people.
May you see your Redeemer face to face and enjoy the sight of God forever. Amen.
Prayer for a deceased friend
I commend you, my dear to almighty God, and entrust you to your Creator.
May you rest in the arms of the Lord who formed you from the dust of the earth.
May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints welcome you now that you have gone forth from this life.
May Christ who was crucified for you, bring you freedom and peace.
May Christ who died for you admit you into his garden of paradise.
May Christ, the true Shepherd, embrace you as one of his flock.
May he forgive all your sins and set you among those he has chosen.
May you see your Redeemer face to face and enjoy the vision of God, forever.
Prayer for unexpected death
Heavenly Father we know and believe that our times are in Your hands, but Lord it’s so often such a shock to us when a dear loved one meets with a sudden or unexpected death – through an accident or perhaps due to some unforeseen tragedy, which takes the life of someone they loved – long before it would be expected.
Lord, we bring before You today those who are having to go through such a tragic loss and pray that You would be very close to each one that is in mourning today over such a loss – and are perhaps confused or even angry that such a devastating occurrence has overtaken them – without any apparent warning.
You are the God of all comfort Who comforts us in time of need and we pray that for those that are facing such a difficult trial today. Uphold them we pray, and ask that You draw very close to them … raise up we pray, the right people to minister to them and to be a genuine comfort and support at this time of tragedy and grief.
Lord, we don’t understand why our loved ones should suddenly be removed from us through a sudden, unexpected death – but Lord we trust You to soothe away the hurt in time – for shall not the God of all the earth do right…. In Jesus name, we pray,
Amen.
Prayer for deceased parents
O God, Who has commanded us
to honor our father and mother,
have compassion in Thy mercy,
on the souls of my father and mother;
forgive them their sins,
and grant that I may see them
in the joy of eternal brightness.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer after violent death
Father, we bring before You those that have had the devastating experience of having someone close to them that they know and love, suffer a sudden, violent and needless death. Lord how we grieve for those that are having to experience this right now, and we pray that in Your grace You would look down with pity and mercy and meet them right at their point of need.
Lord, You are the one Who was sent to heal the broken-hearted and comfort those that mourn and are heavy-laden. You are the One Who promised that Your grace is sufficient for every eventuality – even for those having to face the sudden and violent death of someone close to them. Draw near to them we pray and lift them up into You arms of love and carry them during this time of suffering and grief for You have promised that underneath are Your everlasting arms.
Lord, as we lift up in prayer those that are having to come to terms with the sudden and violent death of a loved one – we pray that You would use this tragedy to be the thing that starts to draw each suffering soul into the tender arms of their Saviour – the Lord Jesus Christ, in Whose name we pray,
Amen.
Prayer for a deceased brother, relative or friend
You are, O God,
quick to pardon and desire man’s salvation.
In Your goodness we ask You to grant our deceased brothers,
relatives, and friends everlasting happiness.
With the help of Blessed Mary ever Virgin
and all Your saints,
we ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer to say on the day of a person’s death
O God, Whose property is always to have mercy and to spare, we humbly beseech Thee for the soul of Thy servant N…, which Thou hast this day commanded to depart out of this world, that Thou wouldst not deliver it into the hands of the enemy, nor forget it unto the end, but wouldst command it to be received by the Holy Angels, and conducted to Paradise, its true country; that as in Thee it hath hoped and believed, it may not suffer the pains of hell, but may take possession of eternal joys.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
See Also: 10 Inspiring Songs To Help With Grief
Share these beautiful prayers to friends or family who need them.
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Praying the Rosary is one of many ways to honor the recently departedWhen there is a death in the family, a strange mix of emotions will emerge for days and weeks after the death. These emotions are natural and are part of the grieving process. Recently our family lost a beloved family member, my grandfather. He had a long blessed life and as part of my duties, I was placed in the difficult position of honoring his last wishes against the desires of some members of the family who wanted to do it ‘their way’. Grandfather had stated in writing that he wanted to just to be cremated and placed to rest by my grandmother. No wake, no funeral, nothing involving his body but simplicity and rest.
This small but vocal fraction of my family was exercising pressure to divide the grandfather’s ashes in 3 parts to be distributed amongst his children and to perform an ecumenical service to be held in the presence of his ashes. However, there was an official document signed outlining in no uncertain terms what was not to be done. Grieving people do all sort of nutty things, but while in my guard, no one in my family would be allowed to disrespect the desires of an elder.
His last wishes were upheld. After all, how could I live with myself if I do not respect an Egún? There is such a thing as leadership by example and this was the right time to demonstrate to non-believers in my family that Egún are precious and our best way to honor them is to show due respect. Practicing the Way of the Orishas requires doing the right thing when others would rather you gave up and have them do their will.
Grandpapa was not an initiate in Santería or any other African Traditional Religion, thus no special ceremonies such as an Itutu (ceremony to honor a dead olosha/babalawo) needed to be held.
There are no rules in the Lukumí practices that regulate the ceremonies for the passing of a person who did not had Kariosha. However, a period of 9 days is observed for a brother, sister, or one’s oyugbonakán. In the case of the main godparent the period of mourning is of 3 months. That said, I will voluntarily withhold from working anything related to the Orishas, in honor of my gradfather because without him, I would not be in this world. My work will be centered in honoring him at a special White Table set up in his honor. Every night, the family will gather to pray a Rosary and / or any other prayers we feel like including, such as the Prayer for the Recently Departed.
In the case of the death of an Olosha, the Itutu ceremony is held and it is a quite complex affair where the body is ritually prepared, the Orishas of the deceased olosha are consulted and sorted between those staying with a relative or godchild of the olosha, and the ones that will be buried with the olosha. The orisha will descend lead by Oyá to cry over the olosha and cleanse him/her. Other ceremonies follow the Itutu.
However since that was not the case of my grandfather, I will stick to the honor given to new Egún. Anyone following the Lukumí practices who has a death in the family has a required commitment to honor that person by observing 9 days of prayers.
I am sure that Voodoo and Umbanda, Macumba and other ATRs have their traditions and particularities with regards to honoring recently deceased.
Here is one of my favorite prayers from the Alan Kardec Book of Selected Prayers:
Prayer for the Recently Departed
“All mighty God, may your mercy be extended to our brother/sister, who has recently left this earth. May your light be the light that shines in his/her eyes. Take him/her out of darkness, open his/hers eyes and ears. May your enlightened spirits surround him/her and aid him/her to hear the words of peace and hope.
Great Spirit, as unworthy as we are, we dare to implore your merciful indulgence in favor of our brother/sister whom you have called to destiny, let his/her return be like that of the prodigal son/daughter. Great Spirit, forget the faults that he/she has committed, and remember the good deeds that he/she performed. We know that your justice is immutable, but your love is immense. We beg that you apply your justice through the fountain of mercy that flows from you.
May the light be there for you my brother/sister as you have just left this earth. May God’s enlightened spirits come to you, surround you and assist you in separating from your earthly chains. Recognize and understand the Great Spirit’s greatness, submit to His justice without complaint, but do not despair in the light of His mercy. Brother/sister take a formal look at your past, open the doors to what is before you and recognize the ill deeds that you have left behind, and the work you have to do to repair these wrongs.
May God forgive you and may His enlightened spirits empower and sustain you. Your brothers on earth will pray for you and we ask that you pray for us.”
Omimelli
Omí Yemayá Achagbá
blog.themysticcup.com
Many pray for the hope of their family and relatives, but what about praying for the dead? Those that have died, now live in the kingdom of Christ. Here is a look at some good prayers for the recently deceased that may help encourage you to find the right words you are searching for.
Prayer #1
God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.
Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.
In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer #2
In your hands, O Lord,
we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters.
In this life you embraced them with your tender love;
deliver them now from every evil
and bid them eternal rest.
The old order has passed away:
welcome them into paradise,
where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain,
but fullness of peace and joy
with your Son and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer #3
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, N., 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 forever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer #4
O God,
by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest,
send your holy Angel to watch over this grave.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer #5
Eternal rest grant unto them , O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them .
May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Prayer #6
O God, Who hast commanded us to honor our father and mother, look in the tenderness of Thy mercy upon the souls of my father and mother and forgive them their sins, and grant unto me the joy of seeing them again in the glorious light of everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer #7
O God, who hast commanded us to honor our father and our mother; in Thy mercy have pity on the souls of my father and mother and forgive them their trespasses; and make me see them again in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer #8
O God, who by Thine unspeakable providence was please to number Thy servant Pope (Name here) among the Sovereign Pontiffs, grant, we beseech Thee, that he who reigned as the vicar of Thy Son on earth, may be joined in fellowship with Thy holy Pontiffs forevermore. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that the soul of Thy servant Bishop (Name here), which Thou hast taken from the toilsome conflict of this world, may have fellowship among Thy saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
O Lord, we pray Thee that the soul of Thy priest, Thy servant (Name here), which, while he abode in this world, Thou didst adorn with sacred gifts, may ever rejoice in a glorious place in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer #9
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well.
Prayer #10
O Loving Father and Savior, send your angels to carry the soul of your servant from this earth to the heavenly place of eternal and everlasting life. Let family and friends who have passed before in faith be reunited in joy with the departed. Forgive any wrongs that have been committed and welcome this beloved spirit into the warm embrace of your unending peace. Amen.
Prayer #11
Grant us, Lord Jesus, always to follow the example of Your holy family, that at the hour of our death Your glorious Virgin Mother with blessed Joseph may come to meet us, and so we may deserve to be received by You into Your everlasting dwelling-place.
Amen.
Prayer #12
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I offer you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul with you in peace.
From sudden and unlooked for death, O Lord, deliver us
Dr. Charles Stanley discusses the topic of praying for the dead in the following video. Dr. Stanley offers the answer to your questions with the Word of the Lord.
connectusfund.org
My sister-in-law’s mother just passed away this week. I thought it would be a good time to post this for her and for others who have had people close to them pass.
Prayer for the Family of the Recently Departed
By: Rabbi Aryel Nachman ben Chaim – 16 Heshvan 5768
Master of the Universe be praised. You wrote our names in the Book of Life when You laid the foundations of the world. Nothing is hidden from Your sight. A leaf does not fall, nor a bird sing, that You are not aware; and the times and conditions of our lives are known only to You.
Our Father our King, to You our lives pass like a breath, and You have allotted to us three-score and ten years on this Earth. Should we surpass this, we consider ourselves fortunate. If we are able to retain our heath, we consider ourselves blessed. Should this time be reduced for those whom we care greatly for, we are unable to comprehend a rational meaning.
We ask for Your understanding as we pose the questions that cloud our minds as we ponder Your decree. Look upon us with compassion when our anxiety drives us to question Your infinite plan and wisdom. And, comfort us when we cry out to You “Why?” in our desperation, sorrow and heartache.
King of the Universe, remember us in the coming days. Open our eyes to the wonders of life and the world around us, so that we may not descend into the darkness of our own grief. Give us the strength that we shall need to support family and friends through difficult days. Remind us that, if the time of life draws to a close, it is not and end, but a beginning.
Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, the one true Judge.
sevenbeggars.com
