Funeral Readings
The list of approved funeral readings are below. It can be helpful to choose these before choosing the music. Typically, one Old Testament Reading, one New Testament Reading, and one Gospel Reading are needed for the Funeral Rite. To view the reading, simply click on it to open the link. You may need to scroll to find the specific reading you are looking for.
Old Testament Readings
"He acted in an excellent and noble way as
he had the resurrection of the dead in view."
"I know that my Vindicator lives."
"As sacrificial offerings he took them to himself."
"An unsullied life, the attainment of old age."
"He will destroy death forever."
"It is good to hope in silence for the saving help
of the Lord."
"Many of those who sleep in the dust of the
earth shall awake."
New Testament Readings that can be used as the first reading during the Season of Easter.
Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43 or 10:34-36, 42-43
"He is the one appointed by God as judge of the
living and the dead."
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."
"The dead were judged according to their
deeds."
"There shall be no more death."
* = Recommended for Funerals for Children
New Testament Readings
"Since we are now justified by his Blood,
we will be saved through him from the
wrath."
"Where sin increased, grace overflowed
all the more."
"We too might live in newness of life."
"We also groan within ourselves as we
wait for adoption, the redemption of our
bodies."
"What will separate us from the love of
Christ?"
"Whether we live or die, we are the
Lord's."
1 Corinthians 15:20-28 or 15:20-23*
"So too in Christ shall all be brought to
life."
"Death is swallowed up in victory."
"What is seen is transitory, but what is
unseen is eternal."
"We have a building from God, eternal
in heaven."
"He will change our lowly bodies to
conform to his glory."
"Thus we shall always be with the Lord."
"If we have died with himj we shall also
live with him."
"We shall see him as he is."
"We know that we have passed from
death to life because we love our
brothers."
Gospel Readings
"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward
will be great in heaven."
"Come to me and I will give you rest."
"Behold the bridegroom! Come out to
him!"
"Come, you who are blessed by my
Father."
Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6 or 15:33-39*
"Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed
his last."
"Young man, I tell you, arise!"
"You also must be prepared."
"Today you will be with me in Paradise."
Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a or
"Father, into your hands I commend my
spirit."
Luke 24:13-35 or 24:13-16, 28-35
"Was it not necessary that the Christ
should suffer these things and enter
into his glory?"
"Whoever hears my word and believes
has passed from death to life."
"Everyone who sees the Son and
believes in him may have eternal life
and I shall raise him on the last day."
"Whoever eats this bread will live
forever, and I will raise them up on the
last day."
"I am the resurrection and the life."
"Lazarus, come out!"
"If it dies, it produces much fruit."
"In my Father's house there are many
dwellings."
"I wish that where I am they also may
be with me."
"And bowing his head he handed over
his Spirit."