Prayers at funeral services

Last Updated on May 29, 2018

Biblical funeral prayers are one important way for Christians to honor God, show their trust and faith in him, and proclaim his goodness and sovereignty over all of life’s affairs. In life and in death our hope is in God and in the saving work of Jesus his Son.

So it is right to pray at a Christian’s funeral service. Prayer is an act of worship, an act of trust, and an act of obedience. As such, funeral prayers are profoundly comforting to believers and a wonderful testimony of the deceased’s faith in Christ.

Additionally, because we believe that the Bible is our rule of faith and conduct, it is good to pray Biblical funeral prayers that are taken directly from the Scriptures. This, again, is a way to honor God by proclaiming his word. The Word and prayer are also means of grace by which the Holy Spirit encourages and comforts his people.

Here are ten beautiful and biblical prayers to pray at a believer’s funeral.

Biblical Funeral Prayers for a Christian Funeral Service

Any of these biblical funeral prayers can be read by a pastor or clergy, by a close friend or family member, or corporately by all attendees. You can divide these up into call-and-response readings, where the leader reads one or more verses and the rest of the funeral service attendees read the next verse or two. Corporate prayers invite participation and allow mourners a way to express grief and faith.

However, not all who attend a funeral are believers, so unless the funeral is held in a church and officiated by a minister you may want to preface any corporate prayers, readings, or hymns with an invitation to participate but also note that it is not required. This is an excellent opportunity to present the the gospel as you encourage those who cannot pray along with you to at least listen and consider the words of Scripture. See “Example of Call-and-Response Corporate Prayer” at the end of this article for how to do a prayer in this manner.

1. PSALM 23

King James Version (Traditional)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

English Standard Version (Contemporary)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

2. THE LORD’S PRAYER

From Matthew 6:9-13, where Jesus taught his disciples how to pray.

King James Version (Traditional)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever.
Amen.

English Standard Version (Contemporary)

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

3. I CORINTHIANS 15:51-57

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet.

For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality.

And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

4. PSALM 27:1, 3-5

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:
Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after;
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:
In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
He shall set me up upon a rock.

5. ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
A time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to search and a time to give up,
A time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
A time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace.

6. II TIMOTHY 2:11-13

This saying is trustworthy:
If we have died with him we shall also live with him;
If we persevere we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful he remains faithful,
For he cannot deny himself.

7. THE RESURRECTION PRAYER

This is an ancient burial prayer taken from multiple Scripture passages. Traditional and anonymous, it is included here because it is simply the words of the Bible in prayer form.

I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John 11:25-26
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though this body be destroyed, yet shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. Job 19:25-27
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For if we live, we live unto the Lord. and if we die, we die unto the Lord. Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. Romans 14:7-8
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; even so saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labors. Revelation 14:13

8. THE BEATITUDES

From Matthew 5:3-12, where Jesus pronounced this series of blessings for the encouragement of the saints.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

9. PSALM 116

I love the Lord, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

The pains of death surrounded me,
And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
I found trouble and sorrow.
Then I called upon the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!”

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
Yes, our God is merciful.
The Lord preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

For You have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
I will walk before the Lord
In the land of the living.
I believed, therefore I spoke,
“I am greatly afflicted.”
I said in my haste,
“All men are liars.”

What shall I render to the Lord
For all His benefits toward me?
I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His saints.

O Lord, truly I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;
You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people,
In the courts of the Lord’s house,
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!

10. PSALM 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills;
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip;
He who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, He who watches over Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you.
The Lord is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm.
He will watch over your life;
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
Both now and forever more.

ADDITIONAL PASSAGES

Here are some additional biblical funeral prayer Scripture passages ideal for reading or prayer at a funeral.

• Psalm 32
• Psalm 34
• Psalm 46
• Psalm 130
• Matthew 11:25-30
• John 5:24-29
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• 1 John 3:1-2

EXAMPLE OF CORPORATE CALL-AND-RESPONSE PRAYER

Here is an example of how to do a corporate prayer (where everyone recites the words of the prayer together) in a call-and-response style. From I Corinthians 15:51-57.

Leader

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet.

All

For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Leader

For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

All

“Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?”

Leader

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

All

But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pin It

(Visited 70,021 times, 14 visits today)

www.usurnsonline.com

Losing a loved one brings many emotions out of us all. Sometimes it also leaves many unanswered questions. Death is never an easy experience to witness and to grieve through. We all have had trials through watching loved ones die. I had 3 dear friends killed by a drunk driver 5 years ago. The 2 little kids were only 3 years old and 11 months old. Death is not an easy process to work through and if you need prayer, please comment below and I will pray for you! I am using the names John and Jane as the people who have passed in these 6 prayers. One prayer, labeled below, is for personal time and the other 5 can be prayed at the funeral services.

No more Laboring

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!’” (Revelation 14:13)

Father in Heaven,

I thank You for my brother John. His years of service for the kingdom impacted all of us in such a wonderful way. He gave money to the needy. He spent time visiting the elderly in the nursing homes. He went on missions trips. He loved his wife like Christ loves the church! Father, this is such a bittersweet time for us all. John’s faith was so evident in how he lived his life. He was the type of man that would lay his life down for any one of his friends, and Father, he has a lot of friends. We all love and miss him dearly, but we know that he is in a much better place, walking down the streets of Heaven and with Jesus. Lord, we are thankful for our brother and we anticipate seeing him again in Glory. May Your Name be praised always! We love and thank You for our brother, John. Amen

No Vacancy

“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:2-3)

Blessed Lord,

We thank You for our dear sister, Jane. She could sing even sweeter than the birds. She was such a blessing to our church family and the surrounding community. Father, we know she is singing to You right now in Heaven, and what a wonderful time it must be! Father her favorite song was “When We All Get To Heaven” and I have to say that there is not a time more fitting than to recite the chorus of this song right now. “When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory!” Father, she is singing and shouting the victory right now and we join her from here on earth. You have prepared a room for her, Lord, and now she will dwell with You forever and ever. We thank You for our dear sister, Jane. We love You, Father! Amen

Hopelessness

(This prayer is for personal time and not at the funeral service)

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

Oh Lord,

I am dying inside! Why didn’t John seek You? Why didn’t he search for You? I don’t know how to move on from this. I loved John more than anyone and I cannot picture Heaven without him and yet it is. My thoughts are plaguing me day and night! He chose to live for himself and now to think about where his eternity is, is killing me! There is nothing I can do and I am helpless, Lord. I need You now more than ever, Father, to help me through this painful time. How do I move on knowing these things, Lord? Please, comfort and guide me through this chaotic time of life. I miss John, Father. I love You, Lord! Amen

This Is Painful

“The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Father in Heaven,

We lift up the family and friends of our friend, Jane. Lord, only You know her heart. We are all praying that she accepted Jesus before passing away. Lord, we will never know until we ourselves leave this earth, and so we pray for You to draw near to us. We are all broken over this. We need Your touch right now, Father. Wrap Your arms around the family of this woman and give them a peace that only You can give. May they seek You daily for comfort, support and love as they tarry through this time of grief. We praise You for sending us Jesus to die for our sins and we thank You that You loved us enough to do so. We ask and pray all of these things in Your Name. Amen

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes…

It Is Finished

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Merciful Father,

The passing of our dear friend and sister, Jane, is bittersweet. Lord, she suffered so long in the hospital battling against cancer. Lord, she was more of an encouragement to us at times. I remember visiting her and reminiscing about when we were younger. The good times we had will never be forgotten, Father. I prayed over her in that hospital room and we both felt Your presence with us. Lord, we all knew the outcome was not good, and yet, anyone who came to visit her would think the opposite. Jane still smiled with joy at each visitor. She was such an encouragement to us all. She walked and talked what she believed, Lord. Jesus lived in her heart and soul and we are so happy that she will never shed another tear again over cancer. Lord, while close friends and family are still crying and grieving over our dear sister, I pray that You draw close to us all and comfort us in the loss of this amazing woman. We love You, Lord! Amen

Unexpected Loss

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4a)

Father,

We are grieving over the unexpected loss of our brother, John. Lord, just last Sunday he was telling me how excited he was to be part of this church. He was on fire for You, Father. We all saw how joy radiated from him. His love for You was unquenchable and we are mourning the loss of this wonderful man. Father, be with his wife and young children. Raise this congregation up to be the hands and feet of Jesus to this family. Father, love on John’s children. Wrap Your arms around them, for there will be a day when they see him again in Heaven. Father, speak tenderly to his wife and comfort her in this unbearable time of life. Father, this is a very tragic event and yet we know that nothing surprises You. So, in faith we continue to ask and seek Your will in this most desperate time of need. Father, shower this family with love and affection as they grieve through this painful time. We love You, and thank You for Jesus! Amen

Conclusion

If you are mourning the loss of a loved one, please feel free to comment below and I will pray for you. Death is not an easy thing to process and we all can use prayer and support from one another. God is with you! May God continue to bless you as you live a life worthy of the calling.

Take a look at this article that might be of interest to you:

What Does the Bible Say About Death

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Would you like to get the daily question in your FB messenger? Just click the button below to get started.

Tagged as: Funerals, Prayers

Share this post

:  |  |  |  | 

Twitter

www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com

Below is a collection of Funeral prayers that can be said before, during, or after a funeral ceremony or wake. It’s important to remember and cherish those who have passes with sacred blessings.

A funeral prayer should be comforting. Death is an uncomfortable time, but their is comfort in knowing that the deceased is now with God.

Oh Father of Mercies

Oh Father of mercies, and God of all comfort,
Thou hast often invited us to thyself in kindness.

It manifests our depravity that we think of Thee so little
In our hour of ease and prosperity!

But we are now before Thee in affliction and distress.
Yet we rejoice to know that Thou art a very present and an
All-sufficient help in trouble.

Read The 15 Best Christian Funerals Poems

The Trifles of Time

O let not the trifles of time
induce us to neglect the one thing
needful. While each of us is
compelled to say, I know Thou
wilt bring me to death, and to
the house appointed for all
living, may we be enabled also
to say, I know in whom I have
believed, and am persuaded that
He is able to keep that which
I have committed to Him against
that day.

And let not the solemnities we have
this day witnessed be ever
forgotten; for often our most
serious impressions have worn
off, and our goodness has been
as the morning cloud, and as
early dew that soon passeth away.

Meditation on Death and Dying

May we hear thy voice in Thy rod, as well as in Thy word;
And gathering from the corrections with which we are
Exercised the peaceable fruit of righteousness, be able to
Acknowledge, with all our suffering brethren before us.

Now in our grief, we are ever mindful of Thee, and we
Humbly request Thy blessing, not just for our brethren
Who have gone to Thy side, but for ourselves, that we
Need not suffer such loss to remain ever mindful of Thee!

Going Home

It is not only the Scripture that reminds us of our living in
A dying world, but all observation and experience.

Man is continually going to his long home, and the mourners
Daily go about the streets. And we are all accomplishing
As hirelings our day, and in a little time our neighbors,
Friends, and relations will seek us ” and we shall not be.

Thou hast made our days as a hands breadth,
And our age is as nothing before Thee; verily every man at
His best estate is altogether vanity.

Suffer Us Not, At Our Last Hour

For our days are not only few; but full of evil. Anxieties
perplex us; dangers alarm us; infirmities oppress us;
disappointments afflict us; losses impoverish us;
And we fear Thine anger and Thine wrath.

O shut not Thy merciful ear to our prayers, but spare us,
O most Holy Lord; O God, most mighty;
O holy and most merciful Savior; Thou most worthy judge
eternal.

Suffer us not, at our last hour, for any bitter pains
of death, to fall from Thee. And we beseech Thee O Lord
To receive with mercy unto Thine arms the soul of our dear
departed brethren today, that we may rejoice in their life
And honor their passing to Thy eternal care.

Amen!

Thou Takest Away

Thou takest away, and who can hinder Thee, or say unto Thee
“What doest Thou?” Thou hast a right to do what Thou
wilt with Thine own.

Thou art a sovereign and the reasons of Thy conduct are often
far above, out of our sight. But Thy work is perfect, Thy
ways are judgment.

All Thy dispensations are wise, and righteous, and kind —
Even when they seem to be severe, as in this time of grief.

We acknowledge O God, with shame and sorrow, that the
state of degradation and mortality in which we groan was not
our original condition. Thou madest man upright, but he
sought out many inventions. Our first Father sinned, and we
have borne his iniquity. By one man sin entered into the
world, And death by sin; and so death hath passed upon all
men, for that all have sinned.

And we bless Thee that this is not our final state. By the
discoveries of faith, we see new heavens, and a new earth
wherein dwelleth righteousness. We see the spirits of just
men made perfect. We see our vile bodies changed and
fashioned like the Saviors own glorious body; and man,
the sinner, raised above the angels, who never sinned.

We bless Thee for this purpose of grace, formed before the
world began, and accomplished in the fullness of time
by the Son of Thy love, who hath abolished death, and
brought life and immortality to light by the gospel; and
who among the ravages of the grave, says, “I am the
Resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though
He were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and
believeth in me shall never die.

May it be our immediate and supreme concern to win Christ,
and be found in Him; knowing that there is no condemnation
to them that are in Christ Jesus; and that blessed are the
dead that die in the Lord.

So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts
unto wisdom ” that wisdom which will lead us to prefer the
uoul to the body; and eternity to time; that wisdom which
will lead us to secure an interest in a better world, before
we are removed from this one.

Scripture for Funerals

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4

Click here to read more Bible Verses for Funerals

If you have any funeral prayers you’d like to share, please do so below. Also, feel free to submit a prayer request. That way, the whole Prayers for Special Help community can help pray for your loved one.

God Bless, you have our sympathy.

Prayer Request: Post Your Own “Funeral Prayers”

/>

If you’d like, you can post your prayer below so the PrayWithMe community can help pray with you.

Rules for Posting: All prayers are posted publicly through to this site. Don’t use full names or any other identifying information that you wouldn’t want out on the web.

Don’t post with ALL CAPS, and try to use proper spelling and grammar.

If you can, help pray for others and post comments of support.

Recent prayer requests…

Tap below to see prayers from other visitors to this site.

• Depression- I will you to pray for my healing, and peace of mind. I can’t get over my past. I’m always thinking. Oh God, give me… …
• Peace, strength comfort- Praying for the Funeral of Bob W will be full with peace love strength and comfort for the family, specially for his daughter, sons and… …
• Prayer for.my deceased mother- I pray that my mother is with Jesus in heaven, and I pray that she is ok. I know she was scared to die, and… …
• My departed Sister- Please prayer for my sister Liz who is now in God’s loving arms. Our family is in deep sorrow and pain, our hearts are broken. …
• Prayer for Richard- I pray that Richard overcomes his addiction to substance abuse. I ask God to protect him mentally, spiritually and physically. Please guide him to correct… …
• Matthew Thomas- My son was kill last yr on St Patrick’s day i still praying for grace and mercy on his soul but i know the Lord… …
• Grieving over lost love one- My Daughter lost her mother my ex wife last Friday Aimee my daughter is not coping well with the news. …
• Help Please- Sherry’s Foundation, a Christian based non profit with the goal of helping pay funeral costs of those lost by violence thru out the U.S. I… …
• Far destination- Lord Jesus,My God You are a Miracle worker.Today Jesus I’m praying for every funeral held.Help them to make their design. If they choose to go… …
• Prayer for my family- Asking g for strength for my family we just lost a family member. From cancer. …
• Healing- I would like prayer for healing and for a financial breakthrough. In JESUS mighty name, AMEN!! …
• Heal my aching heart- Dear Lord, today I come to you with a humble and loving heart. With the passing of my father Lord I have been feeling very… …
• For my daughter- Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I pray for my 41-year-old daughter who may have taken her own life, leaving 10, 12 and 16-year-old daughters and… …
• Help for a bad mistake- Please pray that a mistake and stupid thing I did 3 years ago is forgiven and I do not have to pay for it the… …
• Laying my dad to Rest In Peace- Tomorrow we will be laying my dad to Rest In Peace! My heart is heavy right know and i need prayer! I took care of… …
• Losing my Loving Wonderful Wife- Please Pray for my Wife who I lost a couple of months ago and Please pray from me her husband on how to deal with… …
• Lost Both Parents in this past Year- Dearest Jesus, The Holidays were rough, though Sharin and I tried to smile and get through it. Gary never talked to us, so we don’t… …
• Financial- My uncle died 2 days ago and i ask for the healing of they heart. …
• Comfort- Husband passed in October just need comfort. …
• For my friend family and my family- Dear God I come you to today just to say thank you for your love, peace and happiness that you have given me, today Lord… …

More prayers posted in: Funeral

www.praywithme.com

A selection of funeral prayers that are often used at funerals. This is not a definitive list but it may help you select a prayer (if required) to remember your loved one by.

If you would prefer a prayer that is not included, don’t worry – you can. Simply include the details when you email us on

[email protected]

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven;
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation;
But deliver us from evil;
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed
is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus
Holy Mary, mother of God
Pray for us sinners
Now and at the hour of our death
Amen.

23rd Psalm Funeral Prayer

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Almighty God, in your great love

Almighty God, in your great love

you crafted us by your hand

and breathed life into us by your Spirit.

Although we became a rebellious people,

you did not abandon us to our sin.

In your tender mercy

you sent your Son

to restore in us your image.

In obedience to your will

he gave up his life for us,

bearing in his body our sins on the cross.

By your mighty power

you raised him from the grave

and exalted him to the throne of glory.

Rejoicing in his victory

and trusting in your promise

to make alive all who turn to Christ,

we commend N to your mercy

and we join with all your faithful people

and the whole company of heaven

in the one unending song of praise:

glory and wisdom and honour

be to our God for ever and ever.

Amen.

Catholic Funeral Prayer

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.

Catholic Prayer for a Woman

We beseech Thee, O Lord,

in Thy mercy,

to have pity on the soul of Thy handmaid;

do Thou, Who hast freed her

from the perils of this mortal life,

restore to her the portion of everlasting salvation.

Through Christ our Lord,

Amen.

Catholic Prayer for the Dead

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.

Catholic Prayer for the Deceased

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.

Christ be with me

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Christian Funeral Prayer

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, refresh me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesus, hear me.

Within your wounds hide me.

Let me never be separated from you.

From the power of darkness defend me.

In the hour of my death, call me

and bid me come to you,

that with your saints I may praise you

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Day by Day

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you

for all the benefits you have won for us,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for us.

Most merciful redeemer,

friend and brother,

may we know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly,

day by day.

Amen.

Eternal God and Father

Eternal God and Father,

we praise you that you have made people

to share life together

and to reflect your glory in the world.

We thank you now for ,

for all that we saw of your goodness and love in his/her life

and for all that he/she means to each one of us.

As we too journey towards death

may we do so in the company of Jesus,

who came to share our life

that we might share the life of eternity.

To him be glory with you and the Holy Spirit

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Father in heaven

Father in heaven, we praise your name

for all who have finished this life loving and trusting you,

for the example of their lives,

the life and grace you gave them,

and the peace in which they rest.

We praise you today for your servant

and for all that you did through him/her.

Meet us in our sadness

and fill our hearts with praise and thanksgiving,

for the sake of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Funeral Prayer for a Child

God of all mystery, whose ways are beyond understanding,

lead us, who grieve at this untimely death,

to a new and deeper faith in your love,

which brought your only Son Jesus

through death into resurrection life.

We make our prayer in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Funeral prayer for the family

O God, you do not willingly grieve or afflict your children.

Look with pity on the suffering of this family in their loss.

Sustain them in their anguish;

and into the darkness of their grief

bring the light of your love;

through Jesus we pray.

Amen.

Funeral Service Prayer

Heavenly Father,

you have not made us for darkness and death,

but for life with you for ever.

Without you we have nothing to hope for;

with you we have nothing to fear.

Speak to us now your words of eternal life.

Lift us from anxiety and guilt

to the light and peace of your presence,

and set the glory of your love before us;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Funeral Prayer

Almighty God,

you love everything you have made

and judge us with infinite mercy and justice.

We rejoice in your promises of pardon, joy and peace

to all those who love you.

In your mercy turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life,

and the sorrow of parting into the joy of heaven;

through our Saviour Jesus Christ,

who died, rose again, and lives for evermore.

Amen.

God be in my head

God be in my head,

and in my understanding;

God be in my eyes,

and in my looking;

God be in my mouth,

and in my speaking;

God be in my heart,

and in my thinking;

God be at my end,

and at my departing.

Amen.

God our refuge and strength

God our refuge and strength,

close at hand in our distress;

meet us in our sorrow and lift our eyes

to the peace and light of your constant care.

Help us so to hear your word of grace

that our fear will be dispelled by your love,

our loneliness eased by your presence

and our hope renewed by your promises

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Living God, you have lit the day with the sun’s light

Living God, you have lit the day with the sun’s light

and the midnight with shining stars.

Lighten our hearts with the bright beams

of the Sun of Righteousness

risen with healing in his wings,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

And so preserve us in the doing of your will,

that at the last we may shine

as the stars for ever;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Lord God, creator of all

Lord God, creator of all,

you have made us creatures of this earth

but have also promised us a share in life eternal:

receive our thanks and praise

that, through the passion and death of Christ,

your child , our brother/sister,

whom we commend into your hands today,

shares with your saints in the joy of heaven,

where there is neither sorrow nor pain

but life everlasting. Alleluia.

Amen.

Lord, in weakness or in strength

Lord, in weakness or in strength
we bear your image.
We pray for those we love
who now live in a land of shadows,
where the light of memory is dimmed,
where the familiar lies unknown,
where the beloved become as strangers.
Hold them in your everlasting arms,
and grant to those who care
a strength to serve,
a patience to persevere,
a love to last
and a peace that passes human understanding.
Hold us in your everlasting arms,
today and for all eternity;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Lord Jesus, our redeemer

Lord Jesus, our redeemer,
you willingly gave yourself up to death,
so that all might be saved and pass from death to life.
By dying you unlocked the gates of life
for all those who believe in you.
So we commend into your arms of mercy,
believing that, with sins forgiven,
he/she will share a place of happiness, light and peace
in the kingdom of your glory for ever.
Amen.

Prayer for funerals

God our Father,
we thank you that you have made each of us
in your own image,
and given us gifts and talents with which to serve you.
We thank you for ,
the years we shared with him/her,
the good we saw in him/her,
the love we received from him/her.
Now give us strength and courage
to leave him/her in your care,
confident in your promise of eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Prayers for Mourners

Father of all mercies and God of all consolation,
you pursue us with untiring love
and dispel the shadow of death
with the bright dawn of life.
Give courage to this family in their loss and sorrow.
Be their refuge and strength, O Lord,
reassure them of your continuing love
and lift them from the depths of grief
into the peace and light of your presence.
Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
by dying has destroyed our death,
and by rising, restored our life.
Your Holy Spirit, our comforter,
speaks for us in groans too deep for words.
Come alongside your people,
remind them of your eternal presence
and give them your comfort and strength.
Amen.

Psalm of Comfort

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: ‘When shall I come and appear before God?’
My tears have been my food day and night, while they say unto me all the day: ‘Where is Thy God?’
These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me,
how I passed on with the throng, and led them to the house of God,
with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping holyday.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why moanest thou within me?
Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him for the salvation of His countenance.

Sudden Death Prayer

God of hope,
we come to you in shock and grief and confusion of heart.
Help us to find peace in the knowledge
of your loving mercy to all your children,
and give us light to guide us out of our darkness
into the assurance of your love,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Thanksgiving for the Life of the Deceased

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us all with the gift of this earthly life
and has given to our brother/sister
his/her span of years and gifts of character.
God our Father, we thank you now for all his/her life,
for every memory of love and joy,
for every good deed done by him/her
and every sorrow shared with us.
We thank you for his/her life and for his/her death,
we thank you for the rest in Christ he/she now enjoys,
we thank you for giving him/her to us,
we thank you for the glory we shall share together.
Hear our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Lord is here

The Lord is here,
his Spirit is with us.
We need not fear,
his Spirit is with us.
We are surrounded by love,
his Spirit is with us.
We are immersed in peace,
his Spirit is with us.
We rejoice in hope,
his Spirit is with us.
We travel in faith,
his Spirit is with us.

Got more questions? Simply call us on 0800 612 6484 – it is free from a landline – if you have any questions. We are experts in the design and printing of funeral stationery and are happy to help if we can.

Alternatively, you can fill in our contact form and one of our designers will call you back.

Ready to order? Call 0800 612 6484 or use our Contact form

Get in Touch

www.fittingfarewell.uk.com