Prayer Immediately after Death

When a Catholic individual has just passed away, there are several prayers that can be recited immediately after death to commend their soul to God and offer comfort to the bereaved. These prayers often focus on seeking eternal rest for the deceased and invoking divine mercy and peace for both the departed and those mourning them.

One common prayer recited immediately after death is the "Saints of God, come to his/her aid!" prayer. This prayer calls upon the saints and angels to receive the soul of the deceased and present them to God. It includes petitions such as, "May Christ, who called you, take you to himself; may Angels lead you to Abraham's side," and "Give him/her eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on him/her forever" This prayer is often followed by an "Our Father" and a prayer of commendation, entrusting the deceased to God's tender love and mercy.

Another significant prayer is the "Prayer for the Dead," which asks God to deliver the departed from every evil and grant them eternal rest in paradise, where there is no sorrow, weeping, or pain, but fullness of peace and joy. Additionally, short scriptural texts can be recited, such as "Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's" (Rom 14:8) or "Into your hands I commend my spirit" (Ps 31:6a)

The "Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord" (Requiem aeternam) is also frequently used, often with the response, "And let perpetual light shine upon him/her." This is typically followed by "May he/she rest in peace. Amen," and "May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen" These verses are deeply ingrained in Catholic tradition and are a common expression of hope for the deceased's peaceful repose.

For the mourners, prayers are offered to find comfort in their sadness, certainty in their doubt, and courage to live through their grief, strengthening their faith through Christ. There are also specific prayers for those mourning the death of a child, asking for reassurance in God's infinite goodness.

The presence of a minister, such as a priest or deacon, can provide significant comfort to the family during this time. They can lead these prayers, offer blessings, and help the family begin to plan the funeral rites. The act of praying together, even in silence, can be a powerful source of solace and support.

PRAYER : " After the death of the beloved one, the family gathers around the body, and the following prayers are recited. Header: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

Leader: Jesus says: "Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light."

The body is sprinkled with holy water.

Leader: The Lord God lives in his holy temple and yet abides in our midst. Since in baptism N. became God's temple and the Spirit of God lived in him, with reverence we bless his mortal body. With God there is mercy and fullness of redemption; let us pray as Jesus taught us:

All: Our Father, who art in Heaven...

Leader: Into your hands, O Lord we humble entrust our brother N. In this life you embraced him with your tender love; deliver him now from every evil and bid him enter eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome him then into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain, but the fullness of and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

All sign the forehead of the deceased with the sign of the cross.

Leader: Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for good deeds go with them. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

R. And your let perpetual light shine upon him.

B. May he rest in

R. Amen.

B. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

Leader: May the love of God and the peace the Lord Jesus Christ bless and console us and gently wipe every tear from our eyes: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the. Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.