This is a starting order for a catholic funeral mass. Every church and family does things a little differently, so treat it as a first draft to take to the officiating minister, who has the final say.
The service
- Entrance hymn: Abide with Me
- Greeting and opening prayer: The Celebrant
- First reading: Wisdom 3:1-9 (The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God)
- Responsorial psalm: Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd)
- Second reading: Romans 8:35-39 (Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?)
- Gospel: John 14:1-6 (In my Father's house are many mansions)
- Homily: The Celebrant
- Prayers of the faithful
- Offertory hymn: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
- Communion hymn: Nearer, My God, to Thee
- Words of remembrance: A member of the family
- Final commendation: The Celebrant
- Recessional hymn: God Be with You Till We Meet Again
At the graveside
- Hymn: Abide with Me
- Sentences: Job 14:1-2 (Man that is born of a woman)
- The Committal: Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust
- Prayers
- Laying of wreaths
- The Grace
- Closing hymn: God Be with You Till We Meet Again
Before you print
- Ask the minister to approve the order, the readings and the hymns.
- Add the name of each person who will read, speak or sing.
- Have two family members check every name and title.
Use this order in a programme
Homegoing fills in this order when you choose Catholic. You can change, move or remove any line, and hymn words are added for you. See everything that goes in a funeral programme.