Funeral Liturgy
0 – Instructions (PDF)
Instructions for Preparing for the Funeral Liturgy.
In the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word at the funeral liturgy, the Biblical readings may not be replaced by non-biblical readings.
Acceptable Readings are shared below with links to the readings along with links to the US Conference of Catholic Bishop’s (USCB) site.
1 – First Readings (During Easter)
C08 Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43 Peter’s Speech (Long Version) USCB
C08 Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43 Peter’s Speech (Short Version) USCB
C09 Revelation 14:13 C9 Easter Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. USCB
C10 Revelations 20:11-21:1 The dead were judged according to their deeds. USCB
C11 Revelations 21:1-5a, 6b-7 There shall be no more death USCB
1 – First Readings (During any other time of the year)
C01 Maccabees 2nd book – 12:43-46 He acted in an excellent and noble way as he had the resurrection of the dead in view. USCB
C02 Job 19:1, 23-27a I know that my Vindicator lives. USCB
C03 Wisdom 3:1-9 The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) (Long Version) USCB
C03 Wisdom 3:1-9 The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) (Short Version) USCB
C04 Wisdom 4:7-15 An unsullied life, the attainment of old age. USCB
C05 Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 praise for God’s Deliverance and the Celebration in Zion USCB
C06 Lamentations 3:17-26 It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord. USCB
C07 Daniel 12: 1-3 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake USCB
C08 Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43 He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. (Long Version) USCB
C08 Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43 He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. (Short Version) USCB
C09 Revelation 14:13 C9 Easter Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. USCB
C10 Revelations 20:11-21:1 The dead were judged according to their deeds. USCB
C11 Revelations 21:1-5a, 6b-7 There shall be no more death. USCB
2 – Second Readings
E01 Romans 5:5-11 Since we are now justified by his Blood, we will be saved through him from the wrath USCB
E02 Romans 5: 17-21 Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more. USCB
E03 Romans 6: 3-9 We too might live in newness of life. (Long Version) USCB
E03 Romans 6: 3-9 We too might live in newness of life. (Short Version) USCB
E04 Romans 8:14-23 We also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. USCB
E05 Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 E5 What will separate us from the love of Christ? USCB
E06 Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12 Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. USCB
E07 Corinthians 15:20-28 So too in Christ shall all be brought to life. (Long Version) USCB
E07 Corinthians 15:20-28 So too in Christ shall all be brought to life. (Short Version) USCB
E08 Corinthians 15:51-57 Death is swallowed up in victory. USCB
E09 Corinthians 4:14-5:1 What is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal. USCB
E10 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10 We have a building from God, eternal in heaven USCB
E11 Philippians 3:20-21 He will change our lowly bodies to conform to his glory USCB
E12 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Thus we shall always be with the Lord. USCB
E13 Timothy 2:8-13 If we have died with him we shall also live with him. USCB
E14 John 3:1-2 We shall see him as he is. USCB
E15 John 3:14-16 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. USCB
3 – Responsorial PSALMS
D01 Psalm 23: 1-3, 5, 6 The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. USCB
D02 Psalm 25: 6 and 7b, 17-18, 20-21 To you, O Lord, I lift my soul. USCB
D03 Psalm 27: 7 and 8b and 9a,13-14 The Lord is my light and my salvation. USCB
D04 Psalm 42: 2,3 5cdef; 43: 3,4,5 My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face? USCB
D05 Psalm 63: 2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. USCB
D06 Psalm 103: 8 and 10, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18 The Lord is kind and merciful USCB
D07 Psalm 116: 5,6, 10-11, 15-16ac I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living. USCB
D08 Psalm 122: 1-2, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 I rejoiced when I heard them say: let us go to the house of the Lord USCB
D09 Psalm 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6ab, 6c-7, 8 Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord USCB
D10 Psalm 143: 1-2, 5-6, 7ab, 8ab, 10 O Lord, hear my prayer USCB
4 – Gospel Readings
G01 Matthew 5:1-12a Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. USCB
G02 Matthew 11:25-30 Come to me and I will give you rest. USCB
G03 Matthew 25:1-13 Behold the bridegroom! Come out to him! USCB
G04 Matthew 25:31-46 Come, you who are blessed by my Father. USCB
G05 Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6 Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.(Long Version) USCB
G05 Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6 Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.(Short Version) USCB
G06 Luke 7:11-17 Young man, I tell you, arise! USCB
G07 Luke 12:35-40 You also must be prepared. USCB
G08 Luke 23:33, 39-43 Today you will be with me in Paradise. USCB
G09 Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. (Long Version) USCB
G09 Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. (Short Version) USCB
G10 Luke 24:13-35 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? (Long Version) USCB
G10 Luke 24:13-35 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? (Short Version) USCB
G11 John 5:24-29 Whoever hears my word and believes has passed from death to life USCB
G12 John 6:37-40 Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life and I shall raise him on the last day. USCB
G13 John 6:51-59 Whoever eats this bread will live forever, and I will raise them up on the last day. USCB
G14 John 11:17-27 I am the resurrection and the life. (Long Version) USCB
G14 John 11:17-27 I am the resurrection and the life. (Short Version) USCB
G15 John 11:32-45 Lazarus, come out! USCB
G16 John 12:23-28 If it dies, it produces much fruit. (Long Version) USCB
G16 John 12:23-28 If it dies, it produces much fruit. (Short Version) USCB
G17 John 14:1-6 In my Father’s house there are many dwellings. USCB
G18 John 17:24-26 I wish that where I am they also may be with me. USCB
G19 John 19:17-18, 25-39 And bowing his head he handed over his Spirit. USCB
Readings for the Funeral Liturgy (US Conference of Catholic Bishops -USCB)
In 1997 the Vatican granted permission for funeral Masses to be celebrated with the cremated remains of an individual at the discretion of each diocesan bishop. Though allowing Catholics to choose cremation, the Catholic Church “clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites, since the presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in those rites” (Order of Christian Burial appendix II). In addition to fully expressing the Church’s belief in the resurrection of the body, the presence of the body at the funeral allows the friends and family of the deceased to enter into the grieving process in a way that is substantively different than with the cremated remains. Therefore, those opting to have cremation are strongly encouraged to have the body of the deceased present at the funeral, with cremation and burial to follow in the next couple of days.
For more information please visit http://www.catholic-cemeteries.org/cremation.aspx.
Please note that many cremation groups do not offer the full services of a funeral home, and families opting to use this service will have to make additional arrangements with the Parish. Please contact the parish office for more information.
Ministering to families to prepare Memorials and Funeral Masses and coordinating all the details for the service.
Fr. William Lucas (205)525-5161 parish@ollpellcity.com
