prayers at the time of death

As death approaches, the Church stays close to the one who is dying, to give comfort and support. The family should ask that holy communion be brought to the dying. This is viaticum, food for the journey. Members of the local Church may wish to join the family in a vigil of prayer. After death, the family is encouraged to continue in prayer, to take part in the preparation of the vigil (wake) and funeral liturgies, and to participate in the preparation of the body for burial. In all of these moments, many of the traditional prayers of the Church may be chosen.

Viaticum is the sacrament of the dying. In viaticum the dying person is united with Christ in his passage out of this world to the Father. When the minister has brought holy communion, the rite may begin with the renewal of the dying person’s profession of faith.

Profession of Faith

℣. Do you reject sin so as to live in the freedom of God's children?

℟. I do.

℣. Do you reject the glamor of evil and refuse to be mastered by sin?

℟. I do.

℣. Do you reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness?

℟. I do.

℣. Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?

℟. I do.

℣. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?

℟. I do.

℣. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?

℟. I do.

℣. This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it in Christ Jesus our Lord.

℟. Amen.

Viaticum is then celebrated in the same manner as Communion of the sick (p. 308), but after giving communion, the minister says:

May the Lord Jesus Christ protect you and lead you to eternal life.

℟. Amen.

The concluding prayer follows:

God of peace, you offer eternal healing to those who believe in you; you have refreshed your servant N. with food and drink from heaven: lead him/her safely into the kingdom of light. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

℟. Amen.

Through the prayers for the commendation of the dying the Church helps to sustain this union until it is brought to fulfillment after death.

Christians have the responsibility of expressing their union in Christ by joining the dying person in prayer for God’s mercy and for confidence in Christ. In particular, the presence of a priest or deacon shows more clearly that the Christian dies in the communion of the Church. He should assist the dying person and those present in the recitation of the prayers of commendation and, following death, he should lead those present in the prayer after death. If the priest or deacon is unable to be present because of other serious pastoral obligations, other members of the community should be prepared to assist with these prayers and should have the texts readily available to them.

The minister may choose texts from among the prayers, litanies, aspirations, psalms, and readings that appear below; others may be added. In the selection of these texts the minister should keep in mind the condition and piety of both the dying person and the members of the family who are present. The prayers are best said in a slow, quiet voice, alternating with periods of silence. If possible, the minister says one or more of the brief formulas with the dying person. These may be softly repeated two or three times.

These texts are intended to help the dying person, if still conscious, to face the natural human anxiety about death by imitating Christ in his patient suffering and dying. The Christian will be helped to surmount his or her fear in the hope of heavenly life and resurrection through the power of Christ, who destroyed the power of death by his own dying.

Even if the dying person is not conscious, those who are present will draw consolation from these prayers and come to a better understanding of the paschal character of Christian death.

This may be visibly expressed by making the sign of the cross on the forehead of the dying person, who was first signed with the cross at baptism.

Immediately after death has occurred, all may kneel while one of those present leads the prayers.

One or more of the following short texts may be recited with the dying person. If necessary, they may be softly repeated two or three times.

Who can separate us from the love of Christ?

Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

We have an everlasting home in heaven

We shall be with the Lord for ever.

We shall see God as He really is. 1 John 3:2

We have passed from death to life because we love each other. 1 John 3:14

To you, Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Psalm 27:1

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

My soul thirsts for the living God. Psalm 42:3

Though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Psalm 23:4

In my Father’s home there are many dwelling places, says the Lord Jesus. John 14:2

Come, blessed of my Father, says the Lord Jesus, and take possession of the kingdom prepared for you. Matthew 25:34

The Lord Jesus says, today you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43

The Lord Jesus says, I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again to take you to myself. John 14:2-3

I desire that where I am, they also may be with me, says the Lord Jesus. John 17:24

Everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life. John 6:40

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Psalm 31:5a

Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Acts 7:59

Holy Mary, pray for me.

Saint Joseph, pray for me.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.

The word of God is proclaimed by one of those present or by the minister.

Isaiah 35:3-4; 6c-7; 10.1 John 4:16.

Job 19:23-27a. Revelation 21:1-5a, 6-7

Psalm 23. Matthew 25:1-13.

Psalm 25:1,5-11. Mark 15:33-37.

Psalm 91. Mark 16:1-8.

Psalm 114. Luke 22:39-46.

Psalm 115:3-5. Luke 23:42-43.

Psalm 121:1-4. Luke 24:1-8.

Psalm 123. John 6:37-40.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4. John 14:1-6; 23; 27.

When the condition of the dying person calls for the use of brief forms of prayer, those who are present are encouraged to pray the litany of the saints—or at least some of its invocations—for him or her. Special mention may be made of the patron saints of the dying person, of the family, and of the parish. The litany may be said or sung in the usual way. Other customary prayers may also be used.

Lord have mercy Lord, have mercy

Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for him/her

Holy angels of God

Abraham, our father in faith

David, leader of God’s people

All holy patriarchs and prophets

Saint John the Baptist

Saint Joseph

Saint Peter and Saint Paul pray for him/her

Saint Andrew

Saint John

Saint Mary Magdalene

Saint Stephen

Saint Ignatius

Saint Lawrence

Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity

Saint Agnes

Saint Gregory

Saint Augustine

Saint Athanasius

Saint Basil

Saint Martin

Saint Benedict

Saint Francis and Saint Dominic

Saint Francis Xavier

Saint John Vianney

Saint Catherine

Saint Teresa

Other saints may be included here.

All holy men and women

Lord, be merciful Lord, save your people

From all evil

From every sin

From Satan’s power

At the moment of death Lord, save your people

From everlasting death

On the day of judgment

By your coming as man

By your suffering and cross

By your death and rising to new life

By your return in glory to the Father

By your gift of the Holy Spirit

By your coming again in glory

Be merciful to us sinners Lord, hear our prayer

Bring N. to eternal life, first promised to him/her in baptism

Raise N. on the last day, for he/she has eaten the Bread of life

Let N. share in your glory, for he/she has shared in your suffering and death

Jesus, Son of the living God Lord, hear our prayer

Christ, hear us Christ, hear us

Lord Jesus, hear our prayer Lord Jesus, hear our prayer

When the moment of death seems near, the following prayer may be said:

I commend you, my dear brother/sister, to almighty God, and entrust you to your Creator. May you return to Him who formed you from the dust of the earth. May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life. May Christ who was crucified for you bring you freedom and peace. May Christ who died for you admit you into His garden of paradise. May Christ, the true Shepherd, acknowledge you as one of His flock. May he forgive all your sins, and set you among those He has chosen. May you see your Redeemer face to face, and enjoy the vision of God for ever.

℟. Amen.

The Hail Holy Queen (p. 483)may be said.

At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting word of God and the sacrament of the eucharist.** ()

The following prayers may be recited immediately after death and may be repeated in the hours that follow.

Saints of God, come to his/her aid!

Come to meet him/her, angels of the Lord!

℟. Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.

May Christ, who called you, take you to himself; may angels lead you to Abraham’s side. R.

Give him/her eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on him/her for ever. R.

Let us pray.

All-powerful and merciful God, we commend to you N., your servant. In your mercy and love, blot out the sins he/she has committed through human weakness. In this world he/she has died: let him/her live with you for ever. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

℟. Amen.

These verses may also be used.

℣. 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.

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.

Aside from the time of mourning the month of November, especially All Saints Day and All Souls Day, is a traditional time for visiting graves, as is the anniversary of death. Some or all of the following prayers may be used when visiting the grave of a family member or friend.

All make the sign of the cross. The leader begins:

Praise be to God our Father, who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Blessed be God for ever.

All respond:

Blessed be God for ever.

The following Scripture texts may be read: 2 Cor 5: 1

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.

or Rom 8: 38-39

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.

After a time of silence, all join in prayers of intercession, or in one of the litanies or other prayers.

All then join hands for the Lord’s Prayer.

Then the leader prays:

Lord God, whose days are without end and whose mercies beyond counting, keep us mindful that life is short and the hour of death unknown. Let your Spirit guide our days on earth in the ways of holiness and justice, that we may serve you in union with the whole Church, sure in faith, strong in hope, perfected in love. And when our earthly journey is ended, lead us rejoicing into your kingdom, where you live for ever and ever.

℟. Amen.

or:

Lord Jesus Christ, by your own three days in the tomb, you hallowed the graves of all who believe in you and so made the grave a sign of hope that promises resurrection even as it claims our mortal bodies. Grant that our brother/sister, N., may sleep here in peace until you awaken him/her to glory, for you are the resurrection and the life. Then he/she will see you face to face and in your light will see light and know the splendor of God, for you live and reign for ever and ever.

℟. Amen.

℣. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

℟. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

℣. May they rest in peace.

℟. Amen.

℣. May their souls 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 the leader concludes:

May the peace of God, which is beyond all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

℟. Amen.

℣. Ne recordéris peccata mea, Dómine.

℟. Dum veneris iudicare sæculum per ignem.

℣. Dírige, Dómine Deus meus, in conspectu tuo viam meam.

℟. Dum veneris iudicare sæculum per ignem.

℣. Requiem æternam dona ei (eis), Dómine, et lux perpetua lúceat ei (eis).

℟. Dum veneris iudicare sæculum per ignem.

℣. Kyrie, eléison.

℟. Christe, eléison. Kyrie, eléison.

Pater noster...

℣. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem.

℟. Sed líbera nos a malo.

℣. A porta ínferi.

℟. Erue, Dómine, ánimam eius (ánimas eorum).

℣. Requiescat (-ant) in pace.

℟. Amen.

℣. Dómine, exáudi orátionem meam.

℟. Et clámor meus ad te véniat.

℣. Dóminus vobiscum.

℟. Et cum spíritu tuo.

Oremus. Absolve, quaésumus, Dómine, ánimam famuli tui N (famulæ tuæ N) ab omni vínculo delictorum: ut, in resurrectionis gloria, inter Sanctos et electos tuos resuscitatus (-a) respiret.

For friends and collaborators

Deus, veniæ largitor, et humanæ salútis amator: quaésumus clementiam tuam; ut nostræ congregationis fratres, propinquos et benefactores qui ex hoc sæculo transierunt, beata María semper Vírgine intercedente cum ómnibus Sanctis tuis, ad perpetuæ beatitúdinnis consortium pervenire concedas. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

For Father and Mother

Oremus. Deus, qui nos patrem et matrem honoráre præcepisti: miserére clementer animabus parentum nostrorum, eorumque peccata dimítte; nosque eos in æternæ claritatis gaudio fac vidére. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

For all the Faithful Departed

Fidelium, Deus, ómnium cónditor et redemptor, animabus famulorum famularumque tuárum remissionem cunctorum tríbue peccatórum: ut indulgentiam, quam semper obtaverunt, piis supplicatiónibus consequantur. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

℟. Amen.

℣. Requiem æternam dona ei (eis), Dómine.

℟. Et lux perpetua lúceat ei (eis).

℣. Requiescat (-ant) in pace.

℟. Amen.

℣. Ánima eius (Ánimæ eorum) et ánimæ omnium fidelium defunctorum per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace.

℟. Amen.

℣. Do not remember my sins O Lord,

℟. When you come to judge the world by fire.

℣. Direct my way in your sight, O Lord, My God.

℟. When you come to judge the world by fire.

℣. Give him (her) eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on him (her) forever.

℟. When you come to judge the world by fire.

℣. Lord have mercy.

℟. Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.

Our Father. . .

℣. And lead us not into temptation.

℟. But deliver us from evil.

℣. From the gates of Hell.

℟. Deliver his (her) soul, O Lord.

℣. May he (she) rest in peace.

℟. R. Amen.

℣. Lord, hear my prayer.

℟. And let my cry come to you.

℣. The Lord be with you.

℟. And also with you.

Let us pray.

Lord, welcome into your presence your son (daughter) N., whom you have called from this life. Release him (her) from all his (her) sins, bless him (her) with eternal light and peace, raise him (her) up to live for ever with all your saints in the glory of the Resurrection.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

℟. Amen.

A parent

Let us pray.

Almighty God, you command us to honor father and mother. In your mercy forgive the sins of my (our) parents and let me (us) one day see them again in the radiance of eternal joy.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

℟. Amen.

Brothers and sisters

Let us pray.

God, our maker and redeemer, in your mercy hear our prayer. Grant forgiveness and peace to our brothers (sisters) N. and N. who longed for your mercy.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

℟. Amen.

℣. Give him (her) eternal rest, O Lord.

℟. And may your light shine on him (her) forever.

℣. 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.