Catholic Funeral Readings: Old Testament, Psalm, New Testament and Gospel

How the Readings Work at a Catholic Funeral Mass

A funeral Mass has the same Liturgy of the Word as a Sunday Mass, and the family usually chooses every reading in it from a set list in the Church's Order of Christian Funerals. You will normally pick four things:

1. First reading, from the Old Testament (or, in the Easter season, from Acts or Revelation). Read by a family member or friend.
2. Responsorial psalm, usually sung by the cantor with everyone joining the refrain. Sometimes read.
3. Second reading, from the New Testament letters or Revelation. Read by a second family member or friend.
4. Gospel, always read by the priest or deacon. The family chooses it, and the homily usually grows out of it.

Most parishes give you a planning booklet or a short meeting with the priest, deacon or bereavement minister. Bring two or three favorites in each group; they will help you settle the rest, including music and who brings up the gifts.

The texts below are word for word from the King James Version, which is in the public domain. On the day, the reader will use the parish's Lectionary, which in the United States is a Catholic translation, so the wording will differ a little. What you hand the parish is the citation, such as "Wisdom 3:1–9", and that is the same in any Bible.

Old Testament Readings for a Catholic Funeral

These are the first-reading choices outside the Easter season. Each takes about a minute to read aloud.

Wisdom 3:1–9 — The Souls of the Just Are in the Hand of God

The most chosen first reading at Catholic funerals: calm, short and full of hope. It suits almost any life, and especially someone whose death came after a long illness.

But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.

Isaiah 25:6a, 7–9 — He Will Wipe Away Tears

The image of a feast and of God wiping every tear makes this one of the most uplifting Old Testament readings for a funeral. A good fit for someone who loved a full table.

And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Lamentations 3:17–26 — His Compassions Fail Not

It starts in grief and turns to hope halfway through, which is how many families feel. Honest for a hard or sudden loss.

And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Job 19:1, 23–27 — I Know That My Redeemer Liveth

Short and strong. Job, who lost everything, says he will see God with his own eyes. It suits someone who kept their faith through suffering.

Then Job answered and said, Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.

The other Old Testament choices

• Wisdom 4:7–15 — "But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest." Chosen for a young person or a life cut short: a good life is not measured in years.
• Daniel 12:1–3 — Those who are wise "shall shine as the brightness of the firmament." Fits a teacher, a mentor or anyone who led others well.
• 2 Maccabees 12:43–46 — Judas Maccabeus takes up a collection so that sacrifice is offered for the dead. The reading behind the Catholic practice of praying for those who have died.

Readings for a Funeral in the Easter Season

From Easter Sunday to Pentecost, the first reading comes from Acts or Revelation instead. The Revelation readings can also be the second reading at any time of year.

• Acts 10:34–43 — Peter preaches that God shows no partiality, and that everyone who believes receives forgiveness.
• Revelation 14:13 — One verse, and a good choice for a reader who is nervous:

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

• Revelation 20:11–21:1 — The dead are judged by what they have done, and a new heaven and a new earth appear.
• Revelation 21:1–5a, 6b–7 — "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death." One of the most hopeful readings in the whole list.

Responsorial Psalms for a Catholic Funeral

The psalm is the people's answer to the first reading. A cantor usually sings the verses and everyone repeats a short refrain, so the parish music director often has a favorite setting. If you have no preference, Psalm 23 is the one most families know.

The choices are Psalms 23, 25, 27, 42–43, 63, 103, 116, 122, 130 and 143. Older Catholic Bibles number most psalms one lower (Psalm 23 appears as Psalm 22), so if a booklet's numbers look off, that is why.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee.

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning.

Psalm 122 ("I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD") suits someone who loved their parish. Psalm 25 and Psalm 143 ask for mercy and guidance; Psalm 130, "Out of the depths," is the traditional psalm of prayer for the dead.

New Testament Readings for a Catholic Funeral

The second reading comes from the letters of Paul and John, or from Revelation (see the Easter list above). These are the ones families choose most.

Romans 8:31b–35, 37–39 — Nothing Can Separate Us

Many families' first choice for the second reading, and the most quoted line in Catholic funeral programs.

If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 — That Ye Sorrow Not

Paul writes to a grieving church: grief is allowed, but not grief without hope. It ends with a line many families print in the program.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 John 3:1–2 — We Shall See Him as He Is

The shortest of the letters on the list, and gentle. A good choice for a child or grandchild who will read.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

2 Corinthians 5:1, 6–10 — A House Not Made with Hands

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

The other New Testament choices

• Romans 5:5–11 — Hope does not disappoint; Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
• Romans 5:17–21 — Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.
• Romans 6:3–9 (or 6:3–4, 8–9) — Baptized into Christ's death, we shall also live with him. Ties the funeral back to baptism, which the Mass does with the white pall and the Easter candle.
• Romans 14:7–9, 10c–12 — "Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's."
• 1 Corinthians 15:20–24a, 25–28 (or 15:20–23) — Christ the firstfruits of those who have died.
• 1 Corinthians 15:51–57 — "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
• 2 Corinthians 4:14–5:1 — What is seen is passing; what is unseen is eternal.
• Philippians 3:20–21 — "For our conversation is in heaven": our true home is there.
• 2 Timothy 2:8–13 — "If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him."
• 1 John 3:14–16 — We know we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Suits someone whose life was service to others.

Gospel Readings for a Catholic Funeral

The priest or deacon reads the Gospel, but the family chooses it, so pick the one you would most like the homily to start from.

John 14:1–6 — In My Father's House Are Many Mansions

The Gospel heard at more funerals than any other.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Matthew 5:1–12a — The Beatitudes

For a life of quiet goodness: the merciful, the peacemakers, the pure in heart.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

John 11:21–27 — I Am the Resurrection and the Life

Martha, whose brother has just died, tells Jesus what every grieving family feels: "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." His answer is the heart of the Catholic funeral.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

The other Gospel choices

• Matthew 11:25–30 — "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." For a life of hard work or a long illness.
• Matthew 25:1–13 — The wise bridesmaids who kept their lamps lit.
• Matthew 25:31–46 — "I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat." For someone who cared for the poor, the sick or strangers.
• Mark 15:33–39; 16:1–6 — The death of Jesus and the empty tomb.
• Luke 7:11–17 — Jesus raises the widow's son at Nain. Often chosen when a parent has lost a child.
• Luke 12:35–40 — Be ready, like servants waiting for their master.
• Luke 23:33, 39–43 — "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Comfort after a death that seemed far from God.
• Luke 23:44–46, 50, 52–53; 24:1–6a — The death and burial of Jesus, and the women at the tomb.
• Luke 24:13–35 (or 24:13–16, 28–35) — The road to Emmaus: two grieving friends who recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread.
• John 5:24–29 — Whoever hears and believes "is passed from death unto life."
• John 6:37–40 — "I will raise him up at the last day."
• John 6:51–58 — The bread of life. For someone devoted to the Eucharist.
• John 11:17–27 (or 11:21–27) and John 11:32–45 — The raising of Lazarus; in the second, "Jesus wept."
• John 12:23–28 (or 12:23–26) — Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone.
• John 17:24–26 — Jesus prays that those the Father gave him may be with him where he is.
• John 19:17–18, 25–30 — Mary at the foot of the cross. Often chosen for a mother.

Uplifting Catholic Funeral Readings

If you want the readings to feel more like hope than mourning, these combinations work well together:

• For a long, faithful life: Wisdom 3:1–9, Psalm 23, Romans 8:31b–35, 37–39, John 14:1–6.
• For a celebration of a joyful person: Isaiah 25:6a, 7–9, Psalm 122, Revelation 21:1–5a, 6b–7, Matthew 5:1–12a.
• For a young person: Wisdom 4:7–15, Psalm 27, 1 John 3:1–2, John 6:37–40.
• For a sudden or hard death: Lamentations 3:17–26, Psalm 130, Romans 8:31b–35, 37–39, Luke 24:13–35.
• For a mother: Lamentations 3:17–26 or Wisdom 3:1–9, Psalm 23, 1 John 3:1–2, John 19:17–18, 25–30.

Then ask the readers to look at them early: a reader who has practiced a passage five or six times out loud reads it calmly on the day.

Who Reads, and How to Prepare

Families usually ask two people for the first and second readings: grandchildren, godchildren, siblings or close friends. Many parishes ask that readers be practicing Catholics, so check with yours before you invite someone. Choose people who can get through it without breaking down; it is fine to spare the closest family that job.

A few things help readers:

• Give them the citation, and the parish's wording if it sent one, at least two days ahead.
• Practice out loud, slowly. One minute of text at funeral pace takes most people about a minute and a half.
• Readers begin with "A reading from the Book of Wisdom" (or the letter it comes from) and end with "The word of the Lord." The people answer "Thanks be to God."
• Leave the Lectionary on the ambo; do not read from a phone.

Prayers of the Faithful for a Catholic Funeral

After the homily, a reader (often a third family member) reads short intercessions, and everyone answers "Lord, hear our prayer." Most parishes have a set you can use as written, and many let the family change a line or two. These were written for FuneralFolio; change the name and the details.

For [Name], who was given new life in baptism: that God will welcome her into the joy of his presence. We pray to the Lord.

For [Name]'s family, and especially her husband and children: that they will find comfort in their faith and in one another. We pray to the Lord.

For all who cared for [Name] in her last illness: that God will reward their kindness. We pray to the Lord.

For our family and friends who have died before us: that they will share in the Resurrection. We pray to the Lord.

For all of us gathered here: that we may live as faithfully as she did, and one day be reunited with her in heaven. We pray to the Lord.

Catholic Funeral Prayers and Blessings

The Eternal Rest prayer

Said at the end of the funeral Mass, at the graveside and for years after. It is short enough for the back of a prayer card.

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

A funeral blessing from Scripture

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: the LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

For more prayers to read or print, see our prayers for a funeral, or write one in your own words with the funeral prayer writer.

How to List Catholic Funeral Readings in the Program

A Catholic funeral program follows the order of the Mass. Give each reading its citation and the reader's name; you don't need to print the full text, because people follow the reading by listening.

Mass of Christian Burial
Reception of the Body
Entrance Hymn: Be Not Afraid
First Reading: Wisdom 3:1–9, read by Claire Kelly, granddaughter
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23
Second Reading: Romans 8:31b–35, 37–39, read by Michael Kelly, grandson
Gospel: John 14:1–6
Homily: Rev. Thomas Burke
Prayers of the Faithful: Anne Kelly, daughter-in-law
Presentation of the Gifts: Joseph and Mary Kelly
Communion Hymn: I Am the Bread of Life
Words of Remembrance: James Kelly, son
Final Commendation: Song of Farewell
Recessional Hymn: On Eagle's Wings

On the back, many families print one short verse (Psalm 23:1 or John 11:25) or the Eternal Rest prayer under a photo. A funeral program on FuneralFolio has sections for the order of service, the obituary, a prayer or poem and the pallbearers, and you can paste any reading from this page into it. Download the print-ready PDF to print yourself, or add professional printing at checkout (printed orders ship within the US). The same prayer fits prayer cards to hand out at the church door. For the parts of the Mass in more detail, see the funeral order of service.

Questions Families Ask

Can you do a eulogy at a Catholic funeral?

Not in the usual sense. The Order of Christian Funerals allows one family member or friend to speak briefly in remembrance before the final commendation, and many parishes limit it to about five minutes. Longer eulogies and several speakers fit better at the vigil, the funeral home or the reception. Our eulogy examples include short ones, and the speech writer can help you keep it to time.

What is the most beautiful scripture to read at a Catholic funeral?

For the first reading, Wisdom 3:1–9 ("the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God"); for the second, Romans 8 ("nothing can separate us from the love of God"); and for the Gospel, John 14 ("in my Father's house are many mansions"). Together they are the most chosen set. Our funeral readings and Bible verses for funerals have more, including shorter verses for a card.

What hymns are sung at a Catholic funeral?

Hymns often chosen include "On Eagle's Wings" (Michael Joncas), "Be Not Afraid" (Bob Dufford), "Here I Am, Lord" (Dan Schutte), "I Am the Bread of Life" (Suzanne Toolan), "Amazing Grace", "How Great Thou Art", "Ave Maria" and the "Song of Farewell" at the final commendation. The music director will know which the parish choir sings. See funeral songs for more.

What is the Catholic prayer at the graveside?

The burial follows the Rite of Committal: a short scripture verse, a prayer over the grave, intercessions, the Lord's Prayer and a closing prayer. It usually ends with the Eternal Rest prayer above and a blessing. Families don't need to prepare anything for it, though some ask a grandchild to read a short verse.

How many days after death should a Catholic be buried?

The Church sets no fixed number of days. Most Catholic funerals take place within about a week, depending on the parish calendar, the cemetery and family travel. A funeral Mass is not held during the Easter Triduum or on the Sundays of Advent, Lent and Easter, so the parish may suggest another day.

All Scripture on this page is from the King James Version (public domain). The prayers of the faithful were written for FuneralFolio and the Eternal Rest prayer is traditional; both are free to use in a program, a card or the Mass.