Guide ยท 10 minute read

Catholic funeral Mass readings: the full list, and how to choose

Updated 13 November 2026

Catholic funeral Mass readings are chosen from a list the Church provides. The family usually picks a first reading, a psalm, a second reading and a Gospel, and asks relatives or friends to read. This guide gives the full list of funeral Mass readings, says in a line what each one is about, and shows how to choose and print them.

The readings for a Catholic funeral Mass set out in an order of service, with the readers named
The readings for a Catholic funeral Mass set out in an order of service, with the readers named

How the readings work at a funeral Mass

The Liturgy of the Word at a funeral Mass has four parts.

  1. First reading. From the Old Testament. In the Easter season it comes from the New Testament instead.
  2. Responsorial psalm. Sung or said, with a line that the people repeat.
  3. Second reading. From the New Testament letters. Some parishes have only one reading before the Gospel, so ask.
  4. Gospel. Read by the priest or deacon, after the Alleluia. In Lent, another acclamation replaces the Alleluia.

The priest has the final word on the readings. Most priests are glad for the family to choose, and will give you a booklet or a list. The lists below follow the one used in most English-speaking countries. Verse numbers can differ by a verse or two from one country's lectionary to another, so copy the exact reference from your parish.

First readings from the Old Testament

Choose one.

You can read the full words of each in Old Testament readings for funerals.

First readings in the Easter season

From Easter Sunday to Pentecost, the first reading is taken from the New Testament. Choose one.

Responsorial psalms

Choose one. The choir may have a sung setting of several of these.

Second readings from the New Testament

Choose one.

You can read the full words of most of these in New Testament readings for funerals.

Gospel readings

Choose one. The priest or deacon reads it, and he may prefer to choose it himself because he will preach on it.

Sets of readings that work well together

If you do not know where to start, here are four sets. Each can be changed reading by reading.

After a long life of faith

For someone who died young

After a long illness

For a life of service to others

Who reads at a funeral Mass

Give each reader the passage several days before, printed in large type, in the translation the parish uses. Ask them to practise aloud, and to go to the lectern without being announced. Each reading ends with "The word of the Lord", and the people answer "Thanks be to God".

Prayers of the faithful for a funeral

After the homily come the prayers of the faithful, also called bidding prayers. The family may write them. Keep to five or six. After each one, the reader says "Lord, in your mercy" and the people answer "Hear our prayer".

For (name), that the Lord who called (him, her) by name in baptism may now welcome (him, her) into the company of the saints. Lord, in your mercy.

For (his, her) family, and all who mourn today, that they may be comforted in their grief and held up by the love of those around them. Lord, in your mercy.

For all who cared for (name) in (his, her) last days, the doctors, nurses, family and friends, that God may reward their kindness. Lord, in your mercy.

For the members of our family and our friends who have gone before us, that they may rest in peace. Lord, in your mercy.

For all of us gathered here, that we may live in such a way that we meet again in the kingdom of heaven. Lord, in your mercy.

How to print the readings in the order of service

Under each heading, print the reference and the name of the reader, for example "First reading: Wisdom 3:1-9, read by his daughter, Chioma". Print the psalm response in full, so that everyone can join in.

You may print only the references, or the full words. The translations read at Mass are in copyright, so if you print the full words, add the credit line that your parish gives you, or print the references and the responses only.

Questions people ask

How many readings are there at a Catholic funeral Mass?

Usually three, with a psalm: a first reading, the psalm, a second reading and the Gospel. Some parishes have one reading, the psalm and the Gospel. Ask the priest.

Wisdom 3:1-9, "The souls of the just are in the hand of God", is the most chosen first reading. Romans 8:31-39 is the most chosen second reading, and John 14:1-6 is the most chosen Gospel. Psalm 23 is the usual psalm.

Can we choose a reading that is not on the list?

The readings at a funeral Mass must come from the Bible, and most priests ask you to keep to the list. A poem or another text can be read at the vigil, at the graveside or at the reception. Some priests allow a short reflection after communion.

Who can do the readings at a Catholic funeral?

Relatives or friends who can read well in public. The Gospel is always read by the priest or deacon.

What is read in the Easter season?

Between Easter Sunday and Pentecost the first reading comes from the Acts of the Apostles or the book of Revelation, in place of the Old Testament.

Beside the readings

For the music, see Catholic funeral hymns, set out for each part of the Mass. For the whole order, see the Catholic funeral Mass order of service.

Build the order of service with Homegoing

Homegoing starts you with the order of a Catholic funeral Mass, with a place for each reading. You add your choices, the readers and the responses, and the booklet is set out for printing. Your priest approves the order before it goes to print. Start a programme

More guides

Catholic funeral hymns and songs for each part of the Mass30 Catholic funeral hymns and songs, with where each one goes in the funeral Mass: entrance, psalm, offertory, communion, farewell and recessional.Funeral programme: what to include, with a page-by-page templateWhat goes in a funeral programme, page by page: a template for 4, 8 and 12 pages, sample cover wording, a sample order of service and print checks.How to write an obituary or life story for a funeral programmeHow to write an obituary, life story or eulogy for a funeral programme: what to gather, the order to follow, samples to copy, lines to use and what to check.Funeral announcement: wording, samples and a template to copyFuneral announcement wording to copy: a simple template, 15 samples for a mother, father, WhatsApp, Facebook, email and newspaper, and what to check first.