Preparing to Honor Your Loved One

Welcome to the prayers and scripture readings selection page. On this page you may view and select the prayers and scripture readings prior to meeting with our Bereavement Ministry volunteer. The prayers and scripture readings are also found in a booklet entitled, “Through Death to Life,” by Joseph M. Champlin. You will be offered one of these booklets and a worksheet at the funeral home.

If you find the suggested prayers or readings do not quite capture the spirit of your loved one, we also have additional prayers and readings available. Please ask the Bereavement Ministry volunteer for assistance in that area.

SELECTING THE PRAYERS AND READINGS
First, click on the Funeral Planning worksheet below to print it and note your selections.

Second, please select an Open Prayer, also called the Collect, which will be proclaimed aloud by the priest near the start of the mass.

Third, select one from each category for the Liturgy of the Word. Liturgy of the Word is divided into four parts: the First Reading; the Responsorial Psalm; the Second Reading and the Gospel. You may choose any of the First and Second Readings listed below. For a funeral mass held at St. Ann’s you may select D1-D3 for the Responsorial Psalm.* See the Responsorial Psalm section below; For a funeral mass held at St. Mary, you may select D1-D10 for the Responsorial Psalm. The Gospel is generally chosen by our pastor. However, if you want to select the Gospel reading, please do so, or if you have a preferred gospel reading that is not listed, please let our Bereavement Ministry volunteer know. We will do our best to accommodate your selection pending the pastor’s approval.

Fourth, please select the prayers for the General Intercessions. Intercessions express the congregation’s prayerful concern for your loved one, those gathered at the mass and for particular needs throughout the world.

Lastly, it is a practice at a Catholic funeral mass for family members or friends to participate by giving Words of Remembrance, bringing up the gifts and by proclaiming the first reading, the second reading and general intercessions. Please give this area serious consideration and work with our Bereavement Ministry volunteer in choosing family and friends to participate at the mass.

Funeral Planning Worksheet

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

OPENING PRAYERS

Outside of Easter Time
B1: Your servant who has fallen asleep in Christ
B2: We humbly implore you for your servant
B3: He or She may come before your face
B4: Grace of your mercy command your servant

During Easter Time
B5: Listen Kindly to our Prayers
B6: That the soul of your servant to be led by you

General
B7: Free your servant from all sin
B8: Welcome him or her into your presence
B9: We turn our grief to you
B10: Let him or her pass through the gates of death
B11: Into your hands we entrust our brother or sister
B12: Firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep
B13: Have mercy on your servant
B14: You have sealed us as your own
B15: Listen favorably to our prayers
B16: Command the soul of your servant
B17: We appeal to your boundless mercy
B18: Open our hearts to your words
B19: Hear our prayers on behalf of your servant
B20: Sinners find mercy and saints find joy