THE FUNERAL LITURGY

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
MELVIN GLER CORPIN

FROM THE ORDER OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS

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 RITE OF TRANSFER
OF THE BODY TO THE CHURCH

ORDER OF THE CELEBRATION

Greeting
Scripture Reading
Sprinkling with Holy Water
Litany of Intercession
The Lord’s Prayer
Concluding Prayer
Conclusion

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 RITE OF TRANSFER
OF THE BODY TO THE CHURCH
Absent from the body, to be present with the Lord
This rite may be used at the home of the deceased or at the funeral chapel before
the body is brought to the church for the funeral mass. A priest or deacon may
preside over the liturgy

Greeting
The priest and those present sign themselves with the sign of the cross and the
priest says:
Presider: In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, +
and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Then the priest, facing the people, extends his hands and greets all present:

Presider: May the Father of mercies,

the God of all consolation be with you.
All: And with your spirit.

Scripture Reading
A brief Scripture reading is read. John 14:1-3

My brothers and sisters, Jesus says: “Do not let your hearts
be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In
my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there
were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare
a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come back again and take you to myself, so that where
I am you also may be.”
The priest then invites those present to pray in silence.

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 Sprinkling with Holy Water
Standing near the coffin, the priest says:

Presider: The Lord is our shepherd

and leads us to streams of living water.
Let this water call to mind our baptism into Christ
who by his death and resurrection
has redeemed us.

While the following psalm is sung or recited, the priest sprinkles the coffin with
holy water and, if desired, may also incense them.

Meanwhile, the following song is sung.

SIMEON’S CANTICLE

Insert the lyrics of the chosen song

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 Litany of Intercession
The minister leads those present in the following litany.

Presider: Let us turn to Christ Jesus

with confidence and faith
in the power of his cross and resurrection:
All: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: Risen Lord, pattern of our life forever:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: Promise and image of what we shall be:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: Son of God who came to destroy sin and death:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: Word of God who delivered us
from the fear of death:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: Crucified Lord, forsaken in death,
raised in glory:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: Lord Jesus, gentle Shepherd
who bring rest to our souls,
give peace to Melvin for ever:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: Lord Jesus, you bless those
who mourn and are in pain.
Bless Melvin’s family and friends
who gather around him/her today:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.

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 The Lord’s Prayer

The priest invites those present to pray the Lord’s Prayer.

Presider: Brothers and sisters

our true home is heaven.
Therefore let us pray to our heavenly Father
as Jesus taught us:

All: Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Concluding Prayer
With hands extended, the priest alone continues

Presider: Let us pray:

L
oving and merciful God,
we entrust our brother Melvin
to your mercy.
You loved him greatly in this life:
now that he is freed from all its cares,
give him happiness and peace for ever.
The old order has passed away:
welcome him now into paradise
where there will be no more sorrow,
no more weeping or pain,
but only peace and joy with Jesus your Son,
and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.
All: Amen.

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The presider says a prayer for the mourners

Presider: Lord, Melvin is now gone

from this earthly dwelling
and has left behind those
who mourn his absence.
Grant that as we grieve for our brother,
we may hold his memory dear
and live in hope for the eternal kingdom,
where you bring us all together again.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Blessing and Conclusion

The priest blesses the coffin with holy water saying

Presider: Eternal rest + grant unto Melvin, O Lord.

All: And let perpetual light shine upon him.

Presider: May he rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Presider: May the soul of Melvin

and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
All: Amen.

The coffin is then closed and prepared for the funeral procession to the church.
The priest then says:

Presider: As we set out on our journey today,

we pray for the presence of Christ,
who has gone this way before us.

Blessed are those who have died in the Lord;

let them rest from their labors
for their good deeds go with them.
All: Amen.

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 Presider: The Lord guards our coming in
and our going out.

May God be with us today

as we make this last journey
with our brother.
All: Amen.

The presider leads the hearse and all present for the funeral procession to the
church.

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 MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
AND THE RITE OF FINAL COMMENDATION

ORDER OF CELEBRATION
Introductory Rite
Reception of the Body
Presentation of the Pall and Christian Symbols
Penitential Rite
Liturgy of the Word
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Eucharistic Prayer III
Communion Rite
Rite of Final Commendation
Blessing and Dismissal

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 THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
The Mass of Christian Burial or the Funeral Mass is the principal celebration and
includes the reception of the body, the celebration of the liturgy of the word, the
liturgy of the Eucharist, and the final commendation and farewell. During the
mass, the community gathers with the family and friends to give praise and thanks
to God for Christ’s victory over death, to commend the deceased to God’s tender
mercy and to seek strength in the proclamation of the paschal mystery.
Once the funeral procession has arrived at the church and the people have
assembled, the priest and the ministers go to the altar while the entrance song is
being sung. When the priest comes to the altar, he makes the customary
reverence with the ministers, kisses the altar and (if incense is used) incenses it.
Then, with the ministers, he goes to the chair.

INTRODUCTORY RITES
When the entrance chant is concluded, the priest and the faithful, standing, sign
themselves with the sign of the cross, while the priest, facing the people, says:

Greeting
Presider: In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, +
and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Then the priest extends his hands and greets all present:

Presider: Praise be to the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our sorrows,
so that we can comfort others in their sorrow,
with the consolation we have received from God.
The grace and peace of God our Father,
who raised Jesus from the dead,
be always with you.
All: And with your spirit.

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 Introduction to the Celebration
Then the priest introduces the celebration in these or other suitable words:

My dear brothers and sisters, we have come together to

renew our trust in Christ who, by dying on the cross, has
freed us from eternal death and, by rising, has opened for
us the gates of heaven.
Let us remember our brother Melvin before God, our
merciful redeemer and judge, and pray that he may share
in Christ’s victory. Let us comfort one another in our grief
and pray for ourselves, that the Lord may grant us the gift
of his loving consolation.

Sprinkling with Holy Water

The priest then sprinkles the urn with holy water, saying:

Presider: In the waters of baptism,

Melvin died with Christ
and rose with him to new life.
May he now share with Christ’s eternal glory.
Collect
The Penitential Rite is omitted. The priest, with hands joined, says:

Presider: Let us pray

All pray in silence with the priest for a while. Then the priest, with hands extended,
says the Collect.

O
God, almighty Father,

our faith professes
that your Son died and rose again;

mercifully grant, that through this mystery

your servant Melvin,
who has fallen asleep in Christ,
may rejoice to rise again through him.

Who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
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 LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading
Then the reader reads the First Reading, while all sit and listen.

From the Book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-15)

There is an appointed time for everything.

There is an appointed time for everything,

and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to give birth, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace,
and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit have workers from their toil?
I have seen the business
that God has given to mortals to be busied about.
God has made everything appropriate to its time,
but has put the timeless into their hearts
so they cannot find out,
from beginning to end,
the work which God has done.
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I recognized that there is nothing better
than to rejoice and to do well during life.
Moreover, that all can eat and drink
and enjoy the good of all their toil—
this is a gift of God.
I recognized that
whatever God does will endure forever;
there is no adding to it, or taking from it.
Thus has God done that he may be revered.
What now is has already been; what is to be, already is:
God retrieves what has gone by.
To indicate the end of the reading, the reader acclaims:

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm
The psalmist or cantor sings or says the psalm, with the people making the
response.

Response: The Lord is my shepherd;

there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
in verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name sake.
Response: The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
Response: The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.

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You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Response: The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for years to come.
Second Reading
From the second letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians
(15:51-57)
Death is swallowed up in victory.

Brothers and sisters:

Behold, I tell you a mystery.
We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,
in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound,
the dead will be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility,
and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality.
And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with
incorruptibility
and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality,
then the word that is written shall come about:
Death is swallowed up in victory.

Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?
The sting of death is sin,
and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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To indicate the end of the reading, the reader acclaims:

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

After the second reading, the Alleluia follows

Verse Before the Gospel

Alleluia, alleluia!

Come, you who are blessed by my Father, says the Lord;
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Alleluia!

Proclamation of the Gospel

The priest, bowing before the altar, says quietly:

Presider: Cleanse my heart and my lips, almighty God,

that I may worthily proclaim your holy Gospel.
Then he says:
Presider: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit
The priest continues and, at the same time, he makes the sign of the cross on
the book and on his forehead, lips, and breast.

Presider: + A reading from the holy Gospel

according to Matthew
All: Glory to you, O Lord.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

(5:1-12a)
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
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 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted
for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you
falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”

At the end of the Gospel, the priest acclaims:

Presider: The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:

Presider: Through the words of the Gospel

may our sins be wiped away.

Homily
A brief homily ordinarily follows; it usually expresses praise and gratitude to God
for his gifts, particularly the gift of a Christian life, to the deceased person. The
homily also relates Christian death to the paschal mystery of the Lord’s death and
resurrection and to the hope of eternal life.

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 General Intercessions
In these or in similar words, the priest invites all present to prayer

Presider: Let us turn to God our Father with prayer and

praise. In the life of our brother Melvin we
recognize the signs of his bounty and tender
love, which strengthen us on our journey
towards the fullness of life and unending joy in
his presence.
.
After each petition, all respond

All: Lord, you are our life and our joy.

For Francis our pope, our bishop John, the

bishops, priests and all who minister to the
people of God may they be authentic examples
of your love and compassion. Let us pray to the
Lord.
For our brother Melvin, in baptism he was given
the promise of eternal life, may he now share in
fullness of his resurrection. Let us pray to the
Lord.
For Melvin that he may hear Christ’s words of
invitation, “Come, you blessed of my Father”
and so be found worthy to gaze upon the Lord
face to face, and taste the blessedness of
perfect rest.
 Let us pray to the Lord.
For our deceased relatives and friends and for
all who have helped us, that they may have the
reward of their goodness.
 Let us pray to the
Lord.
For those who have fallen asleep in the hope of
rising again, that they may see God face to face.

Let us pray to the Lord.

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 For those who suffer, that they may remember
that “precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death
of those he loves”. Let us pray to the Lord.
For all those who work among the sick and
dedicate their lives to their service, that by their
presence they may give witness to the tender
mercy of God. Let us pray to the Lord.
For the prayers we hold in our hearts, united in
the Holy Spirit with those of Mary the Mother of
God, Saint Joseph and all the saints in light. Let
us pray to the Lord.

The priest says the concluding prayer

Presider: God of love, welcome into your presence your

son Melvin, whom you have called from this life.
Release him from all him sins, bless him with
eternal light and peace, and raise him up to live
for ever with all your saints in the glory of the
resurrection.
All: Amen.

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 THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Preparation of the Offerings

After the General Intercessions, the ministers place the corporal, the purificator,
the chalice, the pall, and the missal on the altar. The priest, standing at the altar,
takes the paten with the bread and holds it slightly raised above the altar with
both hands, saying in a low voice:

Presider: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,

for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.

Then he places the paten with the bread on the corporal. If, however, the offertory
chant is not sung, the priest may speak these words aloud; at the end, the people
may acclaim:
All: Blessed be God for ever.
The priest, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly:

Presider: By the mystery of this water and wine

may we come to share in the divinity of Christ
who humbled himself to share in our humanity.

The priest then takes the chalice and holds it slightly raised above the altar with
both hands, saying in a low voice:

Presider: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,

for through your goodness we have received
the wine we offer you:
fruit of the vine and work of human hands,
it will become our spiritual drink.
Then he places the chalice on the corporal. If, however, the offertory chant is not
sung, the priest may speak these words aloud; at the end, the people may
acclaim:

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 All: Blessed be God for ever.
After this, the priest, bowing profoundly, says quietly:

Presider: With humble spirit and contrite heart

may we be accepted by you, O Lord,
and may our sacrifice in your sight this day
be pleasing to you, Lord God.
Then the priest, standing at the side of the altar, washes his hands, saying quietly:

Presider: Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

Standing at the middle of the altar, facing the people, extending and then joining
his hands, he says:

Presider: Pray, brethren,

that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.
All: May the Lord
accept the sacrifice at your hands
for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good
and the good of all his holy Church.

Prayer over the Offerings

Then the priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer over the Offerings

B
e near, O Lord, we pray,
to your servant Melvin,

on whose funeral day

we offer you this sacrifice of conciliation,

so that, should any stain of sin
have clung to him 

or any human fault have affected him,

it may, by your loving gift,
be forgiven and wiped away.

Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
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 THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Then the priest begins the Eucharistic Prayer. Extending his hands, he says:

Presider: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

The priest, raising his hands, continues:

Presider: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them up to the Lord.

The priest, with hands extended, adds:

Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All: It is right and just.

Preface
The priest, with hands extended, continues the Preface.

Preface for the Dead I The hope of resurrection in Christ

I
t is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.
In him the hope of blessed resurrection
has dawned,
that those saddened by the certainty of dying
might be consoled by the promise
of immortality to come.
Indeed for your faithful, Lord,
life is changed not ended,
and, when this earthly dwelling turns to dust,
an eternal dwelling is made ready
for them in heaven.

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 And so, with angels and archangels,
with thrones and dominions,
and with all the hosts and powers of heaven,
we sing the hymn of your glory,
as without end we acclaim:
At the end of the Preface he joins his hands and concludes the Preface with the
people, singing or saying aloud:

All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

After the Sanctus, the priest, with hands extended, says:

Y
ou are indeed Holy, O Lord,
and all you have created rightly gives you praise,
for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the power and working of the Holy Spirit,
you give life to all things and make them holy,
and you never cease to gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.
He joins his hands and, holding them extended over the offerings, says:

Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you:

by the same Spirit graciously make holy
these gifts we have brought to you for consecration,
He joins his hands and makes the sign of the cross once over the bread and
chalice together, saying:

that they may become the Body and + Blood

of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
He joins his hands.

at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.

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In the formulas that follow, the words of the Lord should be pronounced clearly
and distinctly, as the nature of these words requires.

For on the night he was betrayed

He takes the bread and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:

he himself took bread,

and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:
He bows slightly.

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,

FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
He shows the consecrated host to the people, places it again on the paten, and
genuflects in adoration.
After this, he continues:

In a similar way, when supper was ended,

He takes the chalice and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:
he took the chalice,
and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:
He bows slightly.
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
He shows the chalice to the people, places it on the corporal, and genuflects in
adoration.
Then he says:
The mystery of faith.
And the people continue, acclaiming:

All: When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,

we proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come again.

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Then the priest, with hands extended, says:

Therefore, O Lord,
as we celebrate the memorial
of the saving passion of your Son,
his wondrous resurrection
and ascension into heaven,
and as we look forward to his second coming,
we offer you in thanksgiving
this holy and living sacrifice.

Look, we pray,
upon the oblation of your Church
and, recognizing the sacrificial Victim
by whose death you willed to reconcile us to yourself,
grant that we,
who are nourished by the Body and Blood of your Son
and filled with his Holy Spirit,
may become one body, one spirit in Christ.

May he make of us
an eternal offering to you,
so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect,
especially with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her spouse,

with your blessed apostles and glorious martyrs,
with Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and with all the saints,
on whose constant intercession in your presence
we rely for unfailing help.

May this sacrifice of our reconciliation,

we pray, O Lord,
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity
your pilgrim Church on earth,
with your servant Francis our pope
and John our bishop,
the order of bishops, all the clergy,
and the entire people you have gained for your own.
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Listen graciously to the prayers of this family,
whom you have summoned before you:
When this Eucharistic Prayer is used in Masses for the Dead, the following may
be said:

Remember your servant Melvin

whom you have called
from this world to yourself.
Grant that he
who was united with your Son in a death like his,
may also be one with him in his Resurrection,
when from the earth
he will raise up in the flesh those who have died,
and transform our lowly body
after the pattern of his own glorious body.
To our departed brothers and sisters, too,
and to all who were pleasing to you
at their passing from this life,
give kind admittance to your kingdom.
There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory,
when you will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
For seeing you, our God, as you are,
we shall be like you for all the ages
and praise you without end,
He joins his hands.

through Christ our Lord,

through whom you bestow on the world
all that is good.
He takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he says:

Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.
The people acclaim:
All: Amen.
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 THE COMMUNION RITE

After the chalice and paten have been set down, the priest, with hands joined,
says:

Presider: At the Savior’s command

and formed by divine teaching,
we dare to say:
He extends his hands and, together with the people, continues:

All: Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

With hands extended, the priest alone continues, saying:

Presider: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,

graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

He joins his hands. The people conclude the prayer, acclaiming:

All: For the kingdom,

the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

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 Sign of Peace
Then the priest, with hands extended, says aloud:

Presider: Lord Jesus Christ,

who said to your apostles:
Peace I leave you, my peace I give you;
look not on our sins,
but on the faith of your Church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
The priest, turned towards the people, extending and then joining his hands,
adds:
Presider: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
All: And with your spirit.
Then, the priest, adds:
Presider: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
All offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace,
communion, and charity. The priest gives the sign of peace the ministers.

The Fraction
Then the priest takes the Host, breaks it over the paten, and places a small piece
in the chalice, saying quietly:

Presider: May this mingling of the Body and Blood

of our Lord Jesus Christ
bring eternal life to us who receive it.

Agnus Dei
Meanwhile the following is sung or said:

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.

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 Private Preparation of the Priest
Then the priest, with hands joined, says quietly:

Presider: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,

who, by the will of the Father
and the work of the Holy Spirit,
through your death gave life to the world,
free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood,
from all my sins and from every evil;
keep me always faithful to your commandments,
and never let me be parted from you.
Communion
The priest genuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten
or above the chalice, while facing the people, says aloud:

Presider: Behold the Lamb of God,

behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the
Lamb.
All: Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
The priest, facing the altar, says quietly:

Presider: May the Body of Christ keep me safe

for eternal life.

And he reverently consumes the Body of Christ. Then he takes the chalice and
says quietly:

Presider: May the Blood of Christ keep me safe

for eternal life.
And he reverently consumes the Blood of Christ. After this, he takes the paten or
ciborium and approaches the communicants. The priest raises a host slightly and
shows it to each of the communicants, saying:

Presider: The Body of Christ.

All: Amen.

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While the priest is receiving the Body of Christ, the Communion Chant begins.
When the distribution of Communion is over, the priest purifies the paten over the
chalice and also the chalice itself. While he carries out the purification, the priest
says quietly:

Presider: What has passed our lips as food, O Lord,

may we possess in purity of heart,
that what has been given to us in time
may be our healing for eternity.
Then the priest may return to the chair. If appropriate, a sacred silence may be
observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be
sung.

Prayer after Communion

Then, standing at the altar or at the chair and facing the people, with hands joined,
the priest says:

Presider: Let us pray

All pray in silence with the priest for a while. Then the priest, with hands extended,
says the Prayer after Communion.

L
ord God, whose Son left us,

in the Sacrament of his Body,

food for the journey,

mercifully grant that, strengthened by it,
our brother Melvin may come
to the eternal table of Christ.

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

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 RITE OF FINAL COMMENDATION

Invitation to Prayer
Standing before the coffin, the priest says

Presider: Trusting in God, we have prayed together for

Melvin and now we come to the last farewell.
There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort
in the hope that one day we shall see Melvin
again and enjoy his friendship. Although we will
disperse in sorrow, the mercy of God will gather
us together again in the joy of his kingdom.
Therefore let us console one another in the faith
of Jesus Christ.
All pray quietly in silence.

Signs of Farewell
After a brief period of silence has been observed, the priest shall then sprinkle
the coffin with holy water. After the sprinkling, the coffin is incensed.

Song of Farewell

Insert lyrics of the chosen song.

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 Prayer of Commendation

Presider: Into your hands, Father of mercies,

we commend our brother Melvin.
in the sure and certain hope
that, together with all who have died in Christ,
he/she will rise with him on the last day.

We give you thanks for the blessings

which you bestowed upon Melvin in this life:
they are signs to us of your goodness
and of our fellowship with the saints in Christ.

Merciful Lord,
turn toward us and listen to our prayers:
open the gates of paradise to your servant
and help us who remain
to comfort one another with assurances of faith,
until we all meet in Christ
and are with you with our brother for ever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Then the priest shall again sprinkle the coffin with holy water. After the sprinkling,
the coffin is incensed. An appropriate song may be sung.
Members of the family of the deceased may be asked to sprinkle the coffin with
holy water.

Insert lyrics of the chosen song.

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The priest blesses the body of the deceased with the sign of the cross:

Presider: Eternal rest + grant unto Melvin, O Lord.

All: And let perpetual light shine upon him.
Presider: May he/she rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Presider: May the soul of Melvin
and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
All: Amen.

Presider: May the angels lead you to paradise;

may the martyrs come to welcome you
and take you to the holy city
the new and eternal Jerusalem.
In peace let us take our brother
to his place of rest.

Then the priest returns to the chair or to the altar.

Insert lyrics of the chosen song.

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 CONCLUDING RITE

If the presider and not everyone is going to the place of committal, the presider
may give the final blessing on all those present. The priest, facing the people and
extending his hands, says:

Presider: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.
The deacon adds or, in his absence, the priest himself, says the invitation:

Presider: Bow down for the blessing

Then the priest, with hands extended over the people, says the blessing,

Presider: May the God of all consolation bless you,

for in his unfathomable goodness
he created the human race,
and in the Resurrection of his only begotten Son
he has given believers the hope of rising again.
All: Amen.
Presider: To us who are alive,
may God grant pardon for our sins,
and to all the dead, a place of light and peace.
All: Amen.
Presider: So may we all live happily forever with Christ,
whom we believe truly rose from the dead.
All: Amen.
Presider: And may the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you for ever.
All: Amen.

The Dismissal is omitted. The Canticle of Mary (the Magnificat) is sung.

Insert lyrics of the Magnificat.

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Then the priest venerates the altar as usual with a kiss, as at the beginning. After
making a profound bow with the ministers, he withdraws.

Words of Remembrance

A member or friend of the family may speak in remembrance of the deceased.

After the tribute, the urn is carried out of the church. A hymn or song may conclude
the rite.

Insert lyrics of the chosen songs.

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RITE OF COMMITTAL
AT THE
CEMETARY OR COLUMBARIUM

ORDER OF THE CELEBRATION

Invitation
Scripture Reading
Prayer Over the Place of
Committal
Prayer of Committal
Intercessions
The Lord’s Prayer
Concluding Prayer
Conclusion

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 RITE OF COMMITTAL
I rejoiced when I heard them say, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Invitation to Prayer

When the funeral procession arrives at the place of committal the priest says the
following or a similar invitation.

Presider: Our brother Melvin has gone to his rest in the

peace of Christ. May the Lord now welcome him
to the table of God’s children in heaven. With
faith and hope in eternal life, let us assist him
with our prayers.
Let us pray to the Lord also for ourselves. May
we who mourn be reunited one day with Melvin;
together may we meet Christ Jesus when he
who is our life appears in glory.

Scripture Reading
A brief Scripture reading is read. Philippians 3:20, 24

Presider: We read in sacred Scripture:

Our true home is in heaven,
and Jesus Christ whose return we long for
will come from heaven to save us.

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 Blessing of the Grave
If the place of committal is to be blessed, the priest continues

Presider: 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 Melvin
may sleep here in peace
until you awaken him to glory,
for you are the resurrection and the life.
Then he 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.
All: Amen.
The priest sprinkles the resting place with holy water.

Prayer of Committal
Then priest says the words of committal.
Presider: My friends,
as we prepare to entomb the ashes of our brother,
we recall that our bodies bear the imprint
of the first creation
when they were fashioned from dust;
but in faith we remember, too,
that by the new creation we also bear
the image of Jesus
who was raised to glory.
In confident hope that one day
God will raise us and transform our mortal bodies,
let us pray

All pray in silence with the priest for a while. Then the priest, with hands extended,
says the following prayer.

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 Faithful God,
Lord of all creation,
you desire that nothing redeemed by your Son
Will ever be lost,
and the just will be raised up on the last day.

Comfort us today with the world of your promise

as we return the ashes of our brother
to the ground.

Grant Melvin a place of rest and peace

where the world of dust and ashes
has no dominion.
Confirm us in our hope
that he will be created anew
on the day when you will raise him up in glory
to live with you and all the saints
forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Then, the urn is now placed into its resting place, which is sealed immediately.

Intercessions
The priest continues with the intercessions

Presider: For our brother, Melvin,

let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ, who said,
“I am the resurrection and the life.
Whoever believes in me shall live even in death
and whoever lives and believes in me
shall never die.”
Minister: Lord, you consoled Martha and Mary
in their distress;
draw near to us who mourn for Melvin,
and dry the tears of those who weep.
We pray to the Lord:
All: Lord, have mercy.

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 Minister: You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend;
comfort us in our sorrow.
We pray to the Lord:
All: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: You raised the dead to life;
give to our brother eternal life.
We pray to the Lord:
All: Lord, have mercy.
Reader: You promised paradise to the repentant thief;
bring Melvin to the joys of heaven.
We pray to the Lord:
All: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: Our brother was washed in baptism
and anointed with the Holy Spirit;
give him fellowship with all your saints.
We pray to the Lord:
All: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: He was nourished with your body and blood;
grant him a place at the table
in your heavenly kingdom.
We pray to the Lord:
All: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: Comfort us in our sorrow at the death of Melvin;
let our faith be our consolation,
and eternal life our hope.
We pray to the Lord:
All: Lord, have mercy.

The Lord’s Prayer

The priest invites those present to pray the Lord’s Prayer.

Presider: Now let us pray as Christ the Lord has taught us:

He extends his hands and, together with the people, continues:

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 All: Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Concluding Prayer
The priest says following prayers

Presider: Let us pray:

G
od of holiness and power,
accept our prayers
on behalf of your servant Melvin;
do not count his deeds against him,
for in his heart he desired to do your will.
As his faith united him
to your people on earth,
so may your mercy join him
to the angels in heaven.
Listen, O God, to the prayers of your Church
on behalf of the faithful departed,
and grant to your servant Melvin,
whose funeral we have celebrated today,
the inheritance promised to all your saints.
Deliver his soul from death,
number him among your saints
and clothe him with the robe of salvation
to enjoy for ever the delights of your kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

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 Prayer for the Mourners
Presider: 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.
All: Amen.
Prayer over the People

With hands extended, the priest then says:

Presider: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

All pray silently. The priest, with hands outstretched over the people, says the
following prayer.

Presider: Merciful Lord,

you know the anguish of the sorrowful,
you are attentive to the prayers of the humble.
Hear your people
who cry out to you in their need,
and strengthen their hope in your lasting
goodness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Then the priest continues

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 Presider: Eternal rest + grant unto Melvin, O Lord.
All: And let perpetual light shine upon him.
Presider: May he rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Presider: May the soul of Melvin
and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
All: Amen.

The priest sprinkles the grave with holy water.

Then he blesses the people, saying

Presider: 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.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.

Presider: Go in the peace of the risen Christ.

All: Thanks be to God.

A hymn or song may conclude the rite. Some sign or gesture of leave-taking may
be made.

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