Catholic Prayers for Mourners

In Catholic teachings, the soul is considered immortal, and prayer is thought to be an act of charity. Those of the Catholic faith believe prayer assists a loved one’s journey to heaven. Catholic prayers also help strengthen mourners’ faith and provide comfort after a loss.

 

Whether you’re pre-planning your own funeral or organizing a funeral for a loved one, including certain Catholic prayers during the service may offer meaningful, heartfelt words of support to those who are grieving, as well as be a way to honor a loved one.

The tradition of praying for the dead has a long history in the Catholic religion. Saint Augustine, who lived in the 4th century AD, noted that the church observed the practice during his lifetime.

The Roman Catholic Church and Episcopal Church each have required prayers and readings for funerals that should not be substituted with any other material. To learn more about these, contact your parish priest.

Prayers for mourners

The following Catholic prayers can be helpful to anyone:

After the loss of a family member

Some Catholic prayers may be said together as a family when you're gathering in the presence of your loved one during the visitation, mass or burial.

This prayer for a grieving family can help everyone find strength and peace:

“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.”

 

This family prayer for the loss of a loved one focuses on trust in God’s love:


“Into your hands, O Lord,
we humbly entrust our [brother/sister] [name of the person].
In this life you embraced [him/her] with your tender love;
deliver [him/her] now from every evil
and bid [him/her] enter eternal rest.
The old order has passed away:
welcome [him/her] then into paradise.”

After the loss of a father or mother

Honoring your father and mother is a key Catholic teaching. This prayer for the loss of a father or mother focuses on compassion, mercy and forgiveness:

“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.”

After the loss of a friend

Experiencing the loss of a friend can be heartbreaking. This prayer to comfort a grieving friend and other mourners offers understanding and peace:

“Dearest Jesus, who wept at the death of your friend
and taught that they who mourn shall be comforted,
grant us the comfort of your presence in our loss.
Send Your Holy Spirit to direct us,
lest we make hasty or foolish decisions.
Send Your Spirit to give us courage,
lest through fear we recoil from living.
Send Your Spirit to bring us your peace.”

After a sudden loss

This short prayer for someone who died unexpectedly may be especially helpful if a beloved member of the community has suddenly died:

“Lord, we pray for those who have been devastated by recent tragedies.
We remember those who lost their lives so suddenly.
We hold in our hearts the families forever changed by grief and loss.”

Catholic Prayer for the Dead

The Prayer for the Dead is often read when mourners are at the gravesite:

“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.”

Prayer of comfort for a funeral

A guiding prayer, this option helps you focus on the good memories of your loved one:

“Lord, [name of the person] is gone now from this earthly dwelling,
and has left behind those who mourn [his/her] absence.
Grant that we may hold [his/her] memory dear,
never bitter for what we have lost
nor in regret for the past,
but always in hope of the eternal Kingdom
where you will bring us together again.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.”

Other short prayers

There are many other prayers for Catholic funerals, including:

From Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures he makes me lie down;
to still waters he leads me;
he restores my soul.
He guides me along right paths
for the sake of his name.
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 comfort me.”

From Psalm 73
“My flesh and my heart faileth:
but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.”

From First Thessalonians 4
“We shall always be with the Lord.”

Eternal Rest Prayer
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”

Christian funeral hymns

  • “Amazing Grace”

Written about 250 years ago by John Newton, this song speaks of God’s grace and remains a popular Christian funeral hymn.

  • “On Eagle’s Wings”

Written by Michael Joncas in the 1970s, this poignant hymn is based in part on Psalm 91, which focuses on the refuge and safety that may be found in God.

  • “The Lord’s Prayer”

This familiar prayer is often sung at solemn and holy events like church services and funerals:

“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.
Amen.”

 

When you plan a Catholic or traditional funeral with Dignity Memorial®, we provide you with step-by-step guidance, plus a wealth of support services. These include our online grief library and toll-free 24-hour Compassion Helpline® (services provided by Charles Nechtem Associates), staffed by trained grief counselors. When you plan with us, you’re not choosing a provider, you’re choosing a partner.

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