gathering in the presence of the body
When the family first gathers around the body, before or after it is prepared for burial, all or some of the following prayers may be used. It is most fitting that family members take part in preparing the body for burial.
All make the sign of the cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
℟. Amen.
Then one member of the family reads:
My brothers and sisters, Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
The body may then be sprinkled with holy water.
The Lord God lives in his holy temple yet abides in our midst. Since in baptism N. became God’s temple and the spirit of God lived in him/her, with reverence we bless his/her mortal body.
Then one member of the family may say:
With God there is mercy and fullness of redemption; let us pray as Jesus taught us:
Our Father...
Then this prayer is said:
Into your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brother/sister N. 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, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain, but the fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.
℟. Amen.
All may sign the forehead of the deceased with the sign of the cross. One member of the family says:
Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.
℣. Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord.
℟. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her.
℣. May he/she rest in peace.
℟. Amen.
℣. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.
All make the sign of the cross as one member of the family says:
May the love of God and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless and console us and gently wipe every tear from our eyes: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
℟. Amen.
Lord Jesus, our Redeemer, you willingly gave yourself up to death so that all people might be saved and pass from death into a new life. Listen to our prayers, look with love on your people who mourn and pray for their brother/sister Lord Jesus, holy and compassionate: forgive N. his/her sins. By dying you opened the gates of life for those who believe in you: do not let our brother/sister be parted from you, but by your glorious power give him/her light, joy, and peace in heaven where you live for ever and ever.
℟. Amen.