Order of the Funeral Mass

INTRODUCTORY RITES

Greeting
The priest meets the family/funeral procession at the doors of the church with the words, “The grace and peace of God our Father, who raised Jesus from the dead, be always with you.” We respond, “And with your spirit”. He continues in prayer while sprinkling the casket with Holy Water. The pall is then placed on the casket.

Entrance Antiphon
As the funeral procession walks down the aisle led by the celebrant the opening hymn or antiphon begins.

Invitation to Prayer
After everyone is seated the celebrant asks those present to pray: “My brothers and sisters, we believe”, or similar words.

Collect (Opening Prayer)
The celebrant prays one of several choices of prayers.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading (Old Testament; from the New Testament during Easter season)

Responsorial Psalm

Second Reading (New Testament)

Gospel

Homily

General Intercessions/ Prayers of the Faithful

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Offertory

The bread and wine that are to become the body and blood of Our Lord are offered on the altar.

Lord’s Prayer

Communion

Song of Farewell (Incensing)
The Song of Farewell is sung during the incensing.

Prayer of Commendation

The priest commends the deceased into the hands of Our Lord. He then prays “In peace let us take our brother/sister to his/her place of rest,” or something similar when the funeral procession will be proceeding to the place of burial.
The casket is prepared by the funeral directors and the procession leaves the church.

Procession to the Place of Committal (Closing Song)

The priest leads the procession out of the church at which time the hymn that the family has chosen is sung. The family follows behind the casket. The pall is removed at the doors of the church.