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Readings for Funerals

SUGGESTED READINGS FOR A FUNERAL MASS

Please choose THREE readings total: ONE selection from each category.

FIRST READING from the Old Testament

  • Job 19:1, 23-27 (I know that my Redeemer lives)
  • Wisdom 3:1-9 or 3:1-6, 9 Short form (The souls of the just are in the hand of God)
  • Wisdom 4:7-15 (God's care is with us)
  • Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 (The Lord God will destroy death forever)
  • Lamentations 3:17-26 (Hope in the Lord)
  • Daniel 12:1-3 (The just will shine like stars)
  • Maccabees 12:43-46 (A splendid reward awaits us)

SECOND READING from the New Testament

  • Acts 10:34-43 or 10:34-36, 42-43 (God has appointed Jesus as judge for everyone)
  • Romans 5:5-11 (God gives us hope)
  • Romans 5:17-21 (Jesus brings us life)
  • Romans 6:3-9 or 6:3-4, 8-9 Short form (Let us walk in newness of life)
  • Romans 8:14-23 (Those that are led by the Spirit...are children of God)
  • Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 (Who can ever come between us and the love of Christ?)
  • Romans 14:7-9, 10b-12 (Whether alive or dead, we belong to the Lord)
  • 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 24b-28 or 20-23 (All will be brought to life in Christ)
  • 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 (Death is swallowed up in victory)
  • 2 Corinthians 4:14—15:1 (What is seen is transitory; what is unseen is eternal)
  • 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10 (We have an everlasting home in heaven)
  • Philippians 3:20-21 (We will be remade in Christ)
  • Thessalonians 4:13-18 (We shall stay with the Lord forever)
  • 2 Timothy 2:8-13 (If we have died with Him, we shall live with Him)
  • 1 John 3:1-2 (We shall see God as He really is)
  • 1 John 3:14-16 (We have passed from death to life)
  • Revelation 14:13 (Happy are those who die in the Lord)
  • Revelation 20:11—21:1 (The dead have been judged according to their works)
  • Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7 (There will be no more death)

GOSPEL READING from the New Testament Books of the Gospels

  • Matthew 5:1-12a (The Beatitudes: blessed are the poor in spirit)
  • Matthew 11:25-30 (Come to me...and I will give you rest)
  • Matthew 25:1-13 (Stay awake...for you do not know the day nor the hour)
  • Matthew 25:31-46 (Come, you whom my Father has blessed)
  • Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6 or 15:33-39 (Jesus breathes his last)
  • Luke 7:11-17 (Young man, I say to you, arise)
  • Luke 12:35-40 (Be prepared)
  • Luke 23:33, 39-43 (Today you will be with me in paradise)
  • Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a or 23:44-46, 50, 52-53 (Father, I put my life in your hands)
  • Luke 24:13-35 or 24:13-16, 28-35 (The road to Emmaus)
  • John 5:24-29 (Whoever hears my word and believes)
  • John 6:37-40 (All who believe in the Son will have eternal life)
  • John 6:51-58 (All who eat this bread will live forever
  • John 11:17-27 or 11:21-27 (I am the resurrection and the life)
  • John 11:32-45 (The raising of Lazarus from the dead)
  • John 12:23-28 or 23-26 (If a grain of wheat falls and dies, it yields a rich harvest)
  • John 14:1-6 (There are many rooms in my Father's house)
  • John: 17 :24-26 (Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am)
  • John 19: 1 -18, 25-30 (Jesus dies on the cross)

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