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THE BURIAL

At the cemetery, the remains of the deceased is committed to the Earth. Usually the casket remains in the hearse until the participant arrive. It is then carried by the pall bearers to the graveside.

At the graveside, a brief prayer service is held, usually led by the priest who said the Funeral Mass, although another minister or layperson can be appointed, if appropriate, to lead the service. It is here that the last farewells are said and the final tribute is paid to the person who has departed. Often, a litany of invocations is offered

before the casket is lowered into the ground and the body is interred.

If the Final Commendation and Farewell was not given at the Funeral Mass, it is given now.

In peace let us take our brother/sister to his/her place of rest.

Invitation

When the funeral procession arrives at the graveside, the following may be said:

Our brother/sister N. has gone to his/her rest in the peace of Christ. May the Lord now welcome him/her to the table of God's children in heaven. With faith and hope in eternal life, let us assist him/her with our prayers.

Let us pray to the Lord also for ourselves. May we who mourn be reunited one day with our brother/sister; together may we meet Christ Jesus when he who is our life appears in glory.

A short Scripture reading is then read. If the minister deems it appropriate, he may say a few words at this moment.

Then the blessing prayer is said over the grave:

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/sister may sleep here in peace until you awaken him/her to glory. for you are the resurrection and the life. Then he/she 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.

Then the minister says the words of committal:

Because God has chosen to call our brother/sister N. from this life to himself, we commit his/her body to the earth for we are dust and unto dust we

shall return.

But the Lord Jesus Christ will change our mortal bodies to be like his in glory, for he is risen, the firstborn from the dead.

So let us commend our brother/sister to the Lord, that the Lord may embrace him/her in peace and raise up his/her body on the last day.

The minister may include prayers of intercession at this point. The intercessions provided in the ritual (A) are beautiful and powerfully reflect the Church's deepest aspiration in these circumstances. Some of them include the following:

Lord, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for N., and dry the tears of those who weep. We pray to the Lord.

You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow. We pray to the Lord.

You promised paradise to the repentant thief. Bring N. to the joys of heaven. We pray to the Lord.

The minister then invites the participants to pray together the Lord's Prayer.

The burial service concludes with a prayer.

God of holiness and power, accept our prayers on behalf of your servant N.; do not count his/her deeds against him/her, for in his/her heart he/she desired to do your will. As his/her faith united him/her to your people on earth, so may your mercy join him/her to the angels in heaven.

The priest invites all to bow their heads and pray for God's blessings.

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.

May the peace of God, which

is beyond all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The priest then gives the blessing and dismisses the people:

Go in the peace of Christ.

And all respond: Thanks be to God.

The Funeral Rite is concluded.

 

May the angles lead you into paradise;

may the martyrs come to welcome you

and take you to the holy city,

the new and eternal Jerusalem.

Psalm 25

May the choirs of angels welcome you

and lead you to the bosom of Abraham;

and where Lazarus is poor no longer

may you find eternal rest.

Psalm 116

Whoever believes in me,

even though that person die, shall live.

I am the Resurrection and the life.

Whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.

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