For the Departed

Collect

I. O eternal Lord God, who holdest all souls in life: Give, we beseech thee, to thy whole Church in paradise and on earth thy light and thy peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served thee here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into thine unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

II. Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Or this:

I. Almighty God, we remember this day before thee thy faithful servant  ; and we pray that, having opened to him the gates of larger life, thou wilt receive him more and more into thy joyful service, that, with all who have faithfully served thee in the past, he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

II. Almighty God, we remember before you today your faithful servant  ; and we pray that, having opened to him the gates of larger life, you will receive him more and more into your joyful service, that, with all who have faithfully served you in the past, he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Any of the Collects appointed for use at the Burial of the Dead may be used instead.

Special Collects for a Young Person, for One Who Worked in the Service of the Gospel, for One Who Suffered a Long Illness, and for One Who Died Suddenly are set forth in the Roman Sacramentary.

For the Prayers of the People, one of the forms appointed for the Burial of the Dead may be used.

Prayer over the Gifts

1. Funeral Mass outside the Easter Season

   Lord, receive the gifts we offer for the salvation of   May Christ be merciful in judging our brother (sister)  , for he believed in Christ as his Lord and Savior. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

2. Funeral Mass outside the Easter Season

   Lord, accept this sacrifice we offer for our brother (sister)   on the day of his burial. May your love cleanse him from his human weakness, and forgive any sins he may have committed. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

3. Funeral Mass during the Easter Season

   Lord, we are united in this sacrament by the love of Jesus Christ. Accept these gifts, and receive our brother (sister)   into the glory of your Son, who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

4. Funeral Mass

   All-powerful Father, may this sacrifice wash away the sins of our brother (sister)   in the blood of Christ. You cleansed him in the waters of baptism. In your loving mercy grant him pardon and peace. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Preface 27 - Commemoration of the Dead

The following postcommunion prayer may be used.

Postcommunion Prayer

Almighty God, we thank thee that in thy great love thou hast fed us with the spiritual food and drink of the Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and hast given unto us a foretaste of thy heavenly banquet. Grant that this Sacrament may be unto us a comfort in affliction, and a pledge of our inheritance in that kingdom where there is no death, neither sorrow nor crying, but the fullness of joy with all thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.