Book of the Dead

Praying for the dead is a spiritual work of mercy. To intercede on their behalf is an act of love that helps them enter into God's presence.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1030–1032:

1030. All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1031. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. the tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire cf. 1 Cor 3:15; 1 Pet 1:7): 'As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come' (St. Gregory the Great, Dial. 4, 39; cf. Mt 12:31).

1032. This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: 'Therefore Judas Maccabeus made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin' (2 Macc 12:46). From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: 'Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them' (St. John Chrysostom, Hom. in 1 Cor 41, 5; cf. Job 1:5).

Requiem Aeternam

Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon him/her.
May he/she rest in peace. Amen.
May his/her soul and the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

In Manus Tuas

Into your hands, O Lord,
we humbly entrust our brother/sister N.
In this life you embraced him/her with your tender love;
deliver him/her now from every evil
and bid him/her enter eternal rest.
 
The old order has passed away:
welcome him/her 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
forever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 130

R/. My soul hopes in the Lord.
Out of the depths I call to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication.
I trust in the Lord, my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
For with the Lord is kindness, with him is plenteous redemption,
And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.
R/. My soul hopes in the Lord.

Let us pray.
God of love,
welcome into your presence
your son/daughter N., whom you have called from this life.
Release him/her from all his/her sins
bless him/her with eternal light and peace,
raise him/her up to live for ever with all your saints
in the glory of the resurrection.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Subvenite

Saints of God, come to his/her aid!
Come to meet him/her, angels of the Lord!
Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.
May Christ, who called him/her, take him/her to himself;
may angels lead him/her to Abraham’s side.
Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.