Scripture for the Funeral Mass
The Church has a number of Scripture passages that assist the bereaved at this difficult time. When selecting Sacred Scripture for a Funeral Mass, you may select one reading from the Old Testament, one New Testament reading, a Responsorial Psalm (which will be sung between the readings) and a Gospel.
A friend or family member is welcome to proclaim the readings from the Old and New Testaments. A Cantor will proclaim the Psalm, and a Deacon or Priest will proclaim the Gospel.
OLD TESTAMENT READINGS
Wisdom 3: 1-9 "...The souls of the just are in the hand of God..."
Wisdom 3: 1-6,9 "...The souls of the just are in the hand of God..."
Wisdom 4: 7-14 "The Righteous One, though he die early, shall be at rest..."
Isaiah 25: 6a, 7-9 "…On this mountain, he will destroy death forever..."
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 “...to everything, there is a season…”
During the Easter Season, this New Testament reading may be used instead:
Revelation 21: 1-5a,6b-7 “I John, saw a new heaven and a new earth…”
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
The Psalm will be led by a Cantor, sung between the readings.
Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.”
Psalm 25 “To You O Lord, I life my soul.”
Psalm 27 “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”
Psalm 63 “I long for you O Lord, with all my soul I thirst for you.”
Ps 84 “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, God of Hosts.”
Ps 122 “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”
NEW TESTAMENT READINGS
Romans 5: 1,5-11 "We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son..."
Romans 6: 3-9 "...if we have died with Christ, we shall live with him..."
1 Corinthians 2: 6-10 "Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard..."
1 Corinthians 15: 20-23 "In Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life."
1 Corinthians 15: 51-57 "Death where is your victory?"
2 Corinthians 4: 14-5:1 "The one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us..."
2 Timothy 4:1-2,6-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race..."
1 John 3:1-2 "Beloved, we are God's children now..."
Revelation 21: 1-5a,6b-7 “I John, saw a new heaven and a new earth…”
GOSPEL
Matthew 5: 1-12 "The Beatitudes"
Matthew 11: 25-30 "Come to me . . . and I will give you rest."
John 6: 37-40 "All who believe in the Son will have eternal life..."
John 6: 51-58 "All who eat this bread will live for ever...."
John 11: 17-27 "I am the resurrection and the life."
John 12:23-28 "If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies..."
John 14:1-6 "There are many rooms in my Father's house."
Other readings from Sacred Scripture are permitted. For a full list, click HERE.
