Prayers at the Graveside
All make the sign of the cross.
The leader begins: Praise be to God our Father, who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Blessed be God for ever.
All respond: Blessed by God for ever.
2 Corinthians 5:1 We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.
A minute silence
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 mother, Zelda,
may sleep here in peace
until you awaken her to glory,
for you are the resurrection and the life.
Then 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.
R/. Amen
O God,
by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest,
send your holy angel to watch over this grave.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
Into your hands, O Lord,
we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters.
In this life you embraced them with your tender love;
deliver them now from every evil
and bid them enter eternal rest.
The old order has passed away:
welcome them then into paradise,
where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain,
but the fullness of peace and joy
with your Son and the Holy Spirit
for ever and ever.
R/. Amen.
All join in prayers at the Graveside
John Henry Newman
Lord, support us all the day long,
until the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over,
and our work is done.
Then in your mercy,
grant us a safe lodging,
and a holy rest,
and peace at the last.
Psalm 103: 1-2, 11-18
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
Our days are like those of grass;
like a flower of the field he blooms;
The wind sweeps over him and he is gone,
and his place knows him no more.
But the kindness of the Lord is from eternity to eternity
toward those who fear him,
And is justice toward children's children
among those who keep his covenant
and remember to fulfill his precepts.
Then the leader invites the congregation to offer their prayers of intercession:
V/. ... Lord hear us.
R/. Lord hear our prayer.
Then the leader prays:
For these prayers, and others we hold silently in our hearts, we now
pray to the Father in the words our saviour gave us.
All then join hands for the Lord's Prayer.
Then the leader prays:
Lord God,
whose days are without end
and whose mercies beyond counting,
keep us mindful
that life is short and the hour of death unknown.
Let your Spirit guide our days on earth
in the ways of holiness and justice,
that we may serve you
in union with the whole Church,
sure in faith, strong in hope, perfected in love.
And when our earthly journey is ended,
lead us rejoicing into your kingdom,
where you live for ever and ever.
R/. Amen.
V/. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
R/. and let perpetual light shine upon them.
V/. May they rest in peace.
R/. Amen.
V/. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R/. Amen.
All make the sign of the cross as the leader concludes:
May the peace of God,
which is beyond all understanding,
keep our hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God
and of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
R/. Amen.
