Sarah Mitchell
A Catholic funeral liturgy includes one reading from each of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Gospels. Scripture passages are chosen appropriately, with non-Scripture readings presented for approval and used in addition to the standard Scripture readings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Readings | 3 |
| Readings Chosen From | Old Testament, New Testament, Gospels |
| Examples of Readings from the Old Testament | 2 Maccabees 12:43-46, Job 19:1,23-27, Ecclesiastes 3.1-8, Isaiah 25:6,7-9 |
| Examples of Readings from the New Testament | Romans 5:5-11, Romans 6:3-9, Romans 8:1-11, Romans 14:7-9,10-12, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 |
| Examples of Readings from the Gospels | Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 15:33-39, Luke 7:11-17, Luke 12:35-40, Luke 23:33,39-43, Luke 23:44-46,50,52-53;24:1-6a, John 5:24-29, John 11:17-27 |
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What You'll Learn
Readings from the Old Testament
For a Catholic funeral liturgy, one reading is chosen from the Old Testament. Here are some suggestions for readings from the Old Testament that are appropriate for Catholic funeral services:
2 Maccabees 12:43-46
> "...he made atonement for the dead..."
Job 19:1,23-27
> "I know that my vindicator lives..."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
> "A time to be born, a time to die..."
Wisdom 3:1-9
> "The souls of the just are in the hand of God..."
Isaiah 25:6,7-9
> "...he will destroy death forever..."
Isaiah 35:1-10
> "Here is your God, he comes with vindication..."
Isaiah 40:1-11
> "Here is your God, here comes with power..."
Lamentations 3:17-26
> "My portion is the Lord, says my soul..."
Ezekiel 37:12-14
> "O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise..."
Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Song of Songs 8:6-7
Isaiah 41:8-10, 13
Isaiah 57:15-19
Isaiah 61:1-3
Isaiah 65:17-21
Ezekiel 34:11-16
Micah 6:6-8
Zephaniah 3:16
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Readings from the Gospels
For Catholic funeral liturgies, one reading is typically chosen from the Gospels. Here are some examples of Gospel readings that are appropriate for Catholic funerals:
Gospel of Matthew
"Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."
Gospel of Mark
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Gospel of Luke
"Young man, I say to you, arise."
Gospel of John
"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Acts of the Apostles
"Everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins."
Gospel of Matthew
"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
These examples illustrate the variety of Gospel readings that can be chosen for a Catholic funeral, offering comfort, hope, and reassurance to those in attendance.
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Suggested readings from the New Testament
Catholic funeral readings incorporate selections from the Old and New Testaments. The Catholic liturgy for a funeral is focused on providing comfort and courage for family and friends who are mourning the death of a loved one. At a Catholic funeral Mass, there are usually three readings from the Bible. The first is a passage from the Old Testament, the second is from the epistles in the New Testament, and the third is from the gospels of the New Testament. Here are some suggested readings from the New Testament:
Acts of the Apostles 10:34-36, 42-43:
> Everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins.
Romans 5:5-11:
> We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son... through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all... if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall live with him.
Romans 6:3-4.8-9:
> If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall live with him.
Romans 8:1-11:
> There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ... Those who are led by the Spirit of God are Children of God.
Romans 8:31-35, 37-39:
> If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 14:7-9, 10-12:
> This is why Christ died and came to life.
1 Corinthians 15:12-20:
> If there is no resurrection of the dead... In Adam all die, so too if Christ shall all be brought to life.
Matthew 19:14:
> But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'
Mark 15:33-39:
> Come, you whom my Father has blessed.
Luke 7:11-17:
> Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
Luke 12:35-40:
> Be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect.
John 5:24-29:
> Whoever hears my word and believes has passed from.
John 6:37-40:
> All who believe in the Son will have eternal life.
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Suggested readings from the Wisdom Books
For Catholic funeral liturgies, one reading is chosen from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Gospels. Here are some suggested readings from the Wisdom Books:
Wisdom 3:1-6, 9
> The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction, and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are at peace. For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness.
Wisdom 4:7-14
> The just person, though they die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for man, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners transported — Snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul; for the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
> There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. A time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
Sirach 2:1-11
> In fire, gold is tested, and the acceptable sacrifice, in the furnace. Believe in him, and there shall be a recompense; in the going down of your sleep, your want shall be small. Trust in the Lord, and you shall be justified; walk in the way of the commandments, and a blessing shall come upon you. For his faithful ones, he has provided gold in the way of righteousness, and like a shield, he has accepted us through his mercy. Then shall he be a buckler to your chosen ones, a shield for the straight way. He will hedge in your path and your footsteps, that your feet may not falter. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love.
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Suggested readings from the Prophets
For a Catholic funeral, one reading is chosen from each of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Gospels. Here are some suggested readings from the Prophets, which are found in the Old Testament:
Isaiah 43:2-3
> "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; the flame shall not consume you."
Isaiah 40:1-11
"Here is your God, he comes with vindication... Here is your God, Here comes with power..."
Isaiah 35:1-6, 10
"Here is your God, he comes with vindication... Here is your God, Here comes with power..."
Ezekiel 34:11-16
"I will search for the lost and bring back the scattered, I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak..."
Ezekiel 37:12-14
"O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise..."
Daniel 12:1-3
"Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."
Micah 7:7-9
"Though I sit in darkness, the Lord is my light..."
2 Maccabees 12:43-46
"...he made atonement for the dead..."
Job 19:1,23-27
"...I know that my vindicator lives... and that after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God; whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
"...A time to be born, and a time to die..."
Lamentations 3:17-26
"...My portion is the Lord, says my soul..."
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Frequently asked questions
Three readings are chosen for Catholic funeral liturgies: one from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, and one from the Gospels.
Suggested Old Testament readings include:
- Ecclesiastes 3.1-8 ("A time to be born, a time to die...")
- Isaiah 25:6,7-9 ("...he will destroy death forever...")
- Romans 5:5-11 ("...We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son...")
Suggested Gospel readings include:
- "Young man, I say to you, arise." (Luke 12:35-40)
- "Today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:44-49)
- "I am the resurrection and the life." (John 11:21-27)
