Suggested Funeral Readings

In the Funeral Mass, there are up to three readings: one from the Old Testament, an optional second from the New Testament, and the Gospel reading which is proclaimed by the Priest or Deacon. The Responsorial Psalm between the first two readings is often sung, if musicians are present.

The following are the Lectionary readings from the Order of Christian Funerals.

You can find these readings in the New American Bible.

First Reading (outside of the Easter season )

Job 19:1,23-27a3
Wisdom 3:1-9 or Wisdom 3: 1-6, 9
Wisdom 4:7-15
Isaiah 25:6a,7-9
Lamentations 3:17-26
Daniel 12:1-3
II Maccabees 12:43-46

First Reading (during the Easter season)

Acts 10:34-43 or Acts 10:34-36, 42-43 (shorter)
Revelation 14:13
Revelation 20:11-21:1

Responsorial Psalm:

Px 23:1-3,4-6 R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

Px 25:6 and 7b, 17-18, 20-21 R: To you, O Lord, I lift my soul. or No one who waits for you, O Lord, will ever be put to shame.

Px 27:1,4,7 and 8b and 9a, 13-14 R: The Lord is my light and my salvation. or I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

Px 42:2,3,5cdef; 43:3,4,5 R: My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?

Px 63:2,3-4,5-6,8-9 R: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Px 103:8 and 10, 13-14,15-16,17-18 R: The Lord is kind and merciful or The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Px 116:5,6,10-11, 15-16ac 122:1-2,4-5,607,8-9 R: I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living. or Alleluia.

Px 122:1-2,4-5,6-7,8-9 R: I rejoiced when I heard them say: let us go to the house of the Lord. or Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Px 130:1-4,5-6ab,6c-7,8 R: Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord. or I hope in the Lord, I trust his word.

Px 143:1-2,5-6,7ab and 8ab,10 R: O Lord, hear my prayer.

Second Reading (New Testament)

Romans 5:5-11
Romans 5: 17-21
Romans 6:3-9 or Romans 6:3-4, 8-9
Romans 8:14-23
Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39
Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12
I Corinthians 15:20-28 or I Corinthians 15:20-23
I Corinthians 15:51-57
II Corinthians 4:14-5:1
II Corinthians 5:1, 6-10
Philippians 3:20-21
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
II Timothy 2:8-13
I John 3:1-2
I John 3:14-16

Gospel

Matthew 5:1-12a
Matthew 11:25-30
Matthew 25:1-13
Matthew 25:31-46
Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6 or Mark 15:33-39
Luke 7:11-17
Luke 12:35-40
Luke 23:33, 39-43
Luke 23:44-46,50,52-53; 24:1-6a or Luke 23:44-46,50,52-53
Luke 24:13-35 or Luke 24:13-16,28-35
John 5:24-29
John 6:37-40
John 6: 51-59
John 11:17-27 or John aa:21-27
John 11:32-45
John 12:23-28 or John 12:23-26
John 14:1-6
John 17:24-26
John 19:17-18, 25-39