Roman Catholic Funeral Readings
Picking the readings used at the funeral of a loved one can be a true act of love. We encourage you to look over the following passages and decide what readings you want to include in this liturgy.
We ask you to pick one (1) Old Testament reading and one (1) New Testament reading. These readings may be proclaimed by a family member or friend. We need to also ask you to pick out a Psalm. This is actually a song and so will be sung by our Cantor and Choir.
Following are the readings to select from. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about the readings or how they are used during the liturgy.
First Readings (From Old Testament)
A reading from the second Book of Maccabees (2 Maccabees 12:43-46)
Judas, the ruler of Israel,
took up a collection among all his soldiers,
amounting to two thousand silver drachmas,
which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice.
In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, in as much as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death.
But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin. The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Book of Job (Job 19:1, 23-27a)
Job answered Bildad the Shuhite and said:
Oh, would that my words were written down!
Would that they were inscribed in a record:
That with an iron chisel and with lead
they were cut in the rock forever!
But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives,
and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; Whom I myself shall see:
my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him;
And from my flesh I shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing. The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 3:1-9)
The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect. The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 3:1-6, 9) shorter form of above
The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect. The Word of the Lord
A reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 4:7-15)
The just man, though he die early,
shall be at rest.
For the age that is honorable comes not
with the passing of time,
nor can it be measured in terms of years.
Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men,
and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age.
He who pleased God was loved;
he who lived among sinners was transported– Snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind
or deceit beguile his soul;
For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right
and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind. Having become perfect in a short while,
he reached the fullness of a long career;
for his soul was pleasing to the LORD,
therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness.
But the people saw and did not understand,
nor did they take this into account. The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9)
On this mountain the LORD of hosts
will provide for all peoples.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
The web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.
On that day it will be said:
"Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!" The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Book of Lamentations (Lamentations 3:17-26)
My soul is deprived of peace,
I have forgotten what happiness is;
I tell myself my future is lost,
all that I hoped for from the LORD. The thought of my homeless poverty
is wormwood and gall;
Remembering it over and over
leaves my soul downcast within me.
But I will call this to mind,
as my reason to have hope:
The favors of the LORD are not exhausted,
his mercies are not spent;
They are renewed each morning,
so great is his faithfulness.
My portion is the LORD, says my soul;
therefore will I hope in him.
Good is the LORD to one who waits for him,
to the soul that seeks him; It is good to hope in silence
for the saving help of the LORD. The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel Daniel 12:1-3
In those days, I, Daniel, mourned and heard this word of the Lord: At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; Some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, And those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever. The Word of the Lord.
PSALMS
Psalm 23:1-3, 4, 5, 6
R/. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R/. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. in verdant pastures he gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths for his name sake. R/.
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff that give me courage. R/.
You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. R/.
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. R/.
Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6ab, 6c-7, 8
R/. Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord.
or:
R/. I hope in the Lord, I trust in his word.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. R/.
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, LORD, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. R/.
I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word. My soul waits for the LORD more than the sentinels wait for the dawn. R/.
More than the sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the LORD, For with the LORD is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption. R/.
And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities. R/.
Psalm 25:6 and 7b, 17-18, 20-21
R/. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
or:
R/. No one who waits for you, O Lord, will ever be put to shame.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD. R/.
Relieve the troubles of my heart;
And bring me out of my distress.
Put an end to my affliction and my suffering;
and take away all my sins. R/.
Preserve my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
because I wait for you, O LORD. R/.
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 salm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
R/. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. R/.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you. R/.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. R/.
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me. R/.
Psalm 27:1, 4, 7 and 8b and 9a, 13-14
R/. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
or:
R/. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? R/.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life.
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple. R/.
Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me. R/.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. R/.
Psalm 143:1-2, 5-6, 7ab and 8ab, 10
R/. O Lord, hear my prayer.
O LORD, hear my prayer; hearken to my pleading in your faithfulness;
in your justice answer me. And enter not into judgment with your servant, for before you no living man is just. R/.
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your doings, the works of your hands I ponder. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like parched land. R/.
Hasten to answer me, O LORD; for my spirit fails me.
At dawn let me hear of your mercy, for in you I trust. R/.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.
May your good spirit guide me on level ground. R/.
Psalm 42:2, 3, 5cdef; 43:3, 4, 5
R/. My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?
As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for you, O God. R/.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God? R/.
I went with the throng and led them in procession to the house of God.
Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving, with the multitude keeping festival. R/.
Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling-place. R/.
Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp, O God, my God! R/.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why do you sigh within me?
Hope in God! For I shall again be thanking him, in the presence of my savior and my God. R/.
Psalm 122:1-2, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R/. I rejoiced when I heard them say: let us go to the house of the Lord.
or:
R/. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me, "We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. R/.
To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD,
According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. R/.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper! May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings. R/.
Because of my relatives and friends I will say "Peace be within you!" Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I will pray for your good. R/.
Psalm 116:5, 6, 10-11, 15-16ac
R/. I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living. or:
R/. Alleluia.
Gracious is the LORD and just; yes, our God is merciful. R/.
The LORD keeps the little ones I was brought low, and he saved me. R/.
I believed, even when I said, "I am greatly afflicted";
I said in my alarm, "No man is dependable." R/.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones.
O LORD, I am your servant, you have loosed my bonds. R/.
Psalm 103:8 and 10, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18
R/. The Lord is kind and merciful.
or:
R/. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger, and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes. R/.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
For he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust. R/.
Man's days are like those of grass;
like a flower of the field he blooms;
The wind sweeps over him and he is gone,
and his place knows him no more. R/.
But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity,
to eternity toward those who fear him, And his justice toward children's children
among those who keep his covenant and remember to fulfill his precepts. R/.
Second Readings (From New Testament)
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans Romans 5:5-11
Brothers and sisters:
Hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
For Christ, while we were still helpless,
died at the appointed time for the ungodly.
Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person,
though perhaps for a good person
one might even find courage to die.
But God proves his love for us
in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
How much more then, since we are now justified by his Blood,
will we be saved through him from the wrath.
Indeed, if, while we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled,
will we be saved by his life.
Not only that,
but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans Romans 6:3-4, 8-9
Brothers and sisters:
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death?
We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death,
so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
we too might live in newness of life. If, then, we have died with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live with him.
We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans Romans 5:17-21
Brothers and sisters:
If, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act, acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of the one the many will be made righteous. The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans Romans 6:3-9
Brothers and sisters:
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death?
We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death,
so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
we too might live in newness of life.
[For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his,
we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.
We know that our old self was crucified with him,
so that our sinful body might be done away with,
that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.
For a dead person has been absolved from sin.]
If, then, we have died with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live with him.
We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more;
death no longer has power over him. The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans Romans 8:14-23
Brothers and sisters:
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you received a spirit of adoption,
through which we cry, Abba, "Father!" The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him
so that we may also be glorified with him.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation
the revelation of the children of God;
for creation was made subject to futility,
not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself
would be set free from slavery to corruption
and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the first fruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39
Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He did not spare his own Son
but handed him over for us all,
will he not also give us everything else along with him?
Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?
It is God who acquits us.
Who will condemn?
It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised,
who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.
What will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will anguish, or distress or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?
No, in all these things, we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities,
nor present things, nor future things,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12
Brothers and sisters:
No one lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.
For if we live, we live for the Lord,
and if we die, we die for the Lord;
so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
For this is why Christ died and came to life,
that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why then do you judge your brother?
Or you, why do you look down on your brother?
For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;
for it is written:
As I live, says the Lord, every knee
shall bend before me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.
So then each of us shall give an accounting of himself to God. The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through a man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the first fruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
[then comes the end,
when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
for "he subjected everything under his feet."
But when it says that everything has been subjected,
it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him. When everything is subjected to him,
then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.]
The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through a man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order:
Christ the first fruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 15:51-57
Brothers and sisters:
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.
The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 2 Cor. 4:14-5:1
Brothers and sisters:
Knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus
will raise us also with Jesus
and place us with you in his presence.
Everything indeed is for you,
so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.
Therefore, we are not discouraged;
rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction
is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen;
for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.
For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent,
should be destroyed,
we have a building from God,
a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven. The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 2 Cor. 5:1, 6-10
Brothers and sisters:
We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent,
should be destroyed,
we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven. We are always courageous
although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet we are courageous,
and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him,
whether we are at home or away.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
so that each may receive recompense,
according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
The Word of the Lord.
.
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians 1 Thes. 4:13-18
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,
about those who have fallen asleep,
so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,
so too will God, through Jesus,
bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself, with a word of command,
with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven,
and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive, who are left,
will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore, console one another with these words.
The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians Philippians 3:20-21
Brothers and sisters:
Our citizenship is in heaven,
and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He will change our lowly body
to conform with his glorified Body
by the power that enables him also
to bring all things into subjection to himself.
The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy 2 Timothy 2:8-13
Beloved:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David:
such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering,
even to the point of chains, like a criminal.
But the word of God is not chained.
Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,
so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. 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. The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the first Letter of Saint John 1 John 3:1-2
Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
or we shall see him as he is.
The Word of the Lord.
A reading from the first Letter of Saint John 1 John 3:14-16
Beloved:
We know that we have passed from death to life
because we love our brothers.
Whoever does not love remains in death.
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer,
and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
The way we came to know love
was that he laid down his life for us;
so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
The Word of the Lord.
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