(Sample – funeral Mass. Female)
N. N.
N.
(Known as “N.”)
Born:
Entered Eternal Life:
Insert suitable photograph here
Requiem Mass and Rite of Commendation
In her Memory
At
Celebrant: Fr.
FUNERAL DIRECTORS:
ENTRANCE HYMN: (This is an example.
Another suitable hymn could be placed here).
COME AS YOU ARE
By Diedre Brown. © 1994. Spectrum Publications. Used With Permission, Word Of Life International- License No 1948E
Come as you are, that's how I want you. Come as you are, feel quite at
home. Close to my heart, loved and forgiven; come as you are, why stand
alone.
No need to fear, love sets no limits. No need to fear, love never ends. Don't
run away shamed and disheartened. Rest in my love, trust me again.
I came to call sinners, not just the virtuous. I came to bring peace, not to
condemn. each time you fail to live by my promise, why do you think I'd
love you the less?
Come as you are, that's how I love you. Come as you are, trust me
again.Nothing can change the love that I bear you. All will be well, just
come as you are.
PLACING OF THE PALL (By family
members). (This is OPTIONAL). (Note: a couple of family
members are invited to come forward and place a white cloth called a “PALL” over the
coffin. This is a symbol of the departed one’s baptismal gown, a sign that they are forever a
beloved child of God). If this is option is not chosen, or if the symbols have been placed before
the start of the ceremony, then please delete this whole part from the booklet).
PLACING OF SYMBOLS OF FAITH (By family
members). (This is OPTIONAL). (Note: Family members are
invited to come forward and place a symbol on the coffin that represents an aspect of the
beloved’s life. These should be spiritual things and tasteful. If this is option is not chosen, or if
the symbols have been placed before the start of the ceremony, then please delete this whole
part from the booklet).
WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE [Eulogy] (By a
family member or friend, insert name here)
(Note: One single Eulogy written by all the family is often the most effective.
It provides a united picture of your beloved. The best eulogies run to about four to
seven minutes in total (that is, all eulogies are completed after seven minutes, so if
you feel – for example - you must have more than one person speaking, then each
person speaks for two minutes each, or if you felt you needed – for example - seven
people speaking they each would only speak for one minute. These speeches should be
prepared in advance. It is not appropriate for people to turn up at the funeral and expect to say a few words
if this has not been carefully arranged with the family and the celebrant in advance).
COLLECT PRAYER (By Rev Fr P)
Let us pray.
Loving God,
to whom grace and peace belong,
we humbly entrust our sister N. to your loving care.
The old order has passed away.
Welcome N. into paradise,
where there will be no more sorrow, no weeping or
pain,
but the fullness of peace and joy,
with your Son and the Holy Spirit,
forever and ever. Amen.

THE FIRST READING (Read by a family
member or friend, insert name here)
A reading from the book of Revelation (14:13)
I, John, heard a voice from heaven say to me, ‘Write
down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord! Blessed
indeed, the Spirit says; now they can rest for ever
after their work, since their good deeds go with
them.’
The word of the Lord.
All Respond: Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: (Recited by All).
(note: This could be replaced by a suitable hymn)
Psalm 23(Spoken version)
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.
You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
forever and ever.
(Or this traditional Sung version could
replace the spoken psalm directly above:
Psalm 23 Sung. CRIMOND. Trad. Scottish Psalter, (1650)
The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green he leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
My soul he doth restore again,
and me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E’en for his own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For thou art with me, and thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
My table thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head thou dos’t with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me:
And in God’s house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be. )
(An optional Second Scripture reading could be
inserted here, from one of the following options
numbers 1 to 37
inclusive: http://www.parishes.bne.catholic.net.au/maryb
orough/funeral.html). If a second Bible reading is not
chose, this is deleted).
THE SECOND READING (Read by a family
member or friend, insert name here)
A reading from the …. ( )
…………. The word of the Lord.
All Respond: Thanks be to God.
(Then the priest reads a Gospel. The priest reading a
gospel passage is always done at any Catholic Funeral).
GOSPEL. (By Rev Fr P)
The Lord be with you
And with your spirit.
A reading from the Holy Gospel According to John
(14:1-6)
Glory to You, O Lord.
Jesus said to the disciples:
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going.’
Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are
going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said:
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
All Respond: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!
HOMILY (By Rev Fr P). (Note: This is a short
sermon on the Scriptures you have chosen above)
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL (Read by a
family members or friends, insert name(s) here)
(The response to each of these intentions is "Lord hear our
prayer").
1. Let us pray for the comfort and consolation of N.’s
family, relatives and friends. Lord, hear us.
All Respond: Lord, hear our Prayer.
2. Let us pray that God will give us consolation, peace and
encouragement as we continue along the journey of life.
Lord, hear us.
All Respond: Lord, hear our Prayer.
3. For our deceased relatives and friends and for all who have
helped us: that they may now be enjoying a Heavenly
reward for their goodness and kindness. Lord, hear us.
All Respond: Lord, hear our Prayer.
4. For people everywhere who are grieving. That the pain
they endure may not be too much to bear. And that they
may experience consolation from Christ who suffered,
died and rose again to eternal life. Lord, hear us.
All Respond: Lord, hear our Prayer.
5. Let us pray for the virtues of faith, hope and love. That we
may be strengthened and reassured on our own journey
through life. Lord, hear us.
All Respond: Lord, hear our Prayer.
6. Let us pray that God’s love and strength may be strong in
the hearts of the young people. That they may be inspired
by the values they cherished in N.’s life, and continue
those qualities in their own. Lord, hear us.
All Respond: Lord, hear our Prayer.
7. For N., who began eternal life with Jesus in Baptism: That
our merciful and loving God will grant N. a place of peace
and light in God’s heavenly Kingdom.
Lord, hear us.
All Respond: Lord, hear our Prayer.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Preparation of the Gifts. (Bread and Wine brought forward
by )
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your
goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the
earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread
of life.
All: Blessed be God for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your
goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the
vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink.
All: Blessed be God for ever.
Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the
praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all
his holy Church.
Prayer over the Gifts
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you.
And with your Spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right and just.
Acclamations:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are
full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Mystery of Faith:
We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your
Resurrection until you come again.
Or:
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we
proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
Or:
Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and
Resurrection you have set us free.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching, we
dare to say:
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.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant
peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be
always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the
blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now
and forever.
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave
you, my peace I give you; look not on our sins, but on the faith of
your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will. Who live and reign forever and
ever.
Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And with your spirit.
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
PRIEST SHOWS THE HOST AND CHALICE:
Priest: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the
sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the
Lamb.
All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my
roof,
but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
COMMUNION HYMN (Quiet instrumental music)
THANKSGIVING HYMN (suggested hymn. Another
suitable hymn could replace this)
ON EAGLES WINGS. BY MICHAEL JONCAS. © New Dawn Music, 11948E. Word of Life. Used with
permission. All Rights Reserved. Lic. No. 1948E
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in
his shadow for life, say to the Lord my refuge, my rock in whom I
trust.
And he will raise you up on eagles wings, bear you on the breath of
dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his
hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring
you no fear. Under his wings your refuge, his faithfulness your shield.
You need not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by
day; though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come.
For to his angels he’s given a command to guard you in all of your
ways; upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot
against a stone.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (Rev. Fr. Paul)
Introduction to final commendation rites:
Before we go our separate ways, let us take leave of our sister N..
May our farewell express our affection for her; may it ease your
sadness and strengthen your hope. One day we shall joyfully
greet her again when the love of Christ, which conquers all
things, destroys even death itself.
SONG OF FAREWELL –
By David Haas, © 1990 GIA PUBLICATIONS. Used With
Permission, Word Of Life International- License No 1948E
Saints of God, come to her aid; come to meet her,
angels of the Lord !
Response: Receive this soul and present her to
God, Present this soul to God Most High.
May Christ who called you, take you home: May
angels lead you to Abraham’s side !
Receive this soul and present her to God, Present
this soul to God Most High.
Give eternal rest O lord: And may your light shine on
her forever !
Receive this soul and present her to God,
Present this soul to God Most High.
SPRINKLING OF HOLY WATER
(This is a reminder of N.’s Baptism. Just as N. died
with Jesus in the waters of Baptism, so too will she
rise again with Jesus)
INCENSING OF THE COFFIN
(This is a sign of respect for the human body and of
our prayers rising to heaven).
PRAYER OF COMMENDATION
Loving God, You are the author and sustainer of
our lives.
You are our final home.
We commend to you our sister N.
Trusting in your mercy,
and in your all-embracing love.
We pray that you give her happiness forever.
Turn also to us who have suffered this loss.
Strengthen the bonds of this family and our
community.
Confirm us in faith, in hope, and in love,
so that we may bear your peace to one another,
and one day stand together with all the saints
who praise you for your saving help.
We ask this in the name of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

 Everyone is welcome to a short [graveside service/or
Crematorium chapel service] at the...
 please join the family for refreshments at....
 Concluding Music. (this is an example. This hymn could be
replaced by another suitable hymn)
HOW GREAT THOU ART. BY STUART K.
HINE.
© 1963 THANK YOU MUSIC Word of Life. Used with permission. All Rights Reserved. Lic. No. 1948E
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed,
/R.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee,
How great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee,
How great thou art, how great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I
wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the
trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain
grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze;
/R
When Christ shall come with shout of
acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou
art!. /R.