1.
Prayer at the moment of death:
(Acts of Faith, Hope and Love, Contrition, of
Resignation of death, Litanies, Rosary…….)
2.
Prayer for blessing over the immediate
surrounding of the dead person:
Lord, be present in the place where the body of
our brother/sister is laid to rest. Keep away from
us all fear and give us faith to realise
that your Kingdom and your power is already
in our midst. Amen
3.
Prayer for washing and dressing the body
of the deceased:
Gracious Father, at baptism your servant N.
was washed clean by water and the Holy Spirit.
While we wash this lifeless body,
we pray, that he/she may obtain final
forgiveness of his/her sins;
may this body rise to eternal
life on the last day.
Gracious Father, at baptism your servant N.
received the white garment. he/she became
a new creation, clothed in Christ. While we dress
this body for burial, may you welcome
hm/her at your heavenly banquet.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
4.
Prayer for laying the person in state:
Lord, welcome into your presence your son!
daughter N. whom you have called from this
life. Release him/her from all 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.
Ever- living God, laying in state of your
servant teaches us the blessedness of the
human state after death: When the dead
sleep in Christ to be awakened to eternal life.
May all who look upon this body be
reminded of their own eternal destiny and
so mourn with hope.
This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen
5.
Prayer for the bereaved at home
Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, you give
to those who believe in you the peace
which the world cannot give. As we sprinkle
holy water on these mourners, dispel all sorrow,
fears and anxieties they have on this occasion;
and let faith, hope and charity guide their
mourning. For you live and reign for ever
and ever. Amen
6.
Prayer for the undertakers(grave-diggers)
All-powerful God and Father, look with
favour upon the men who prepare the grave
of our brother/sister. Bless and protect them
as you blessed Tobit for burying the dead.
Deliver them from all fear and make them aware
of the communion of saints, both living and dead.
Lord, inspire them to continue to do their work for
your honour and glory and for the consolation of
the bereaved. This is our prayer through Christ our
Lord.
7.
Prayer when the body is taken away from the house:
Father, into your hands we commend our brother/sister. We thank you for all the blessings you have given us through his/her love and companionship. Welcome our brother/sister into paradise in the company of all our friends and relatives who have gone before us. Prepare us for the day that we will meet
again, in your house, where we will live forever. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Catholic Hymn: Prayers: Christian Burial