Catholic Prayers for the Dead

Catholics believe that after someone has died, we can help their soul get to heaven by praying for them. Here are some prayers for the dead you can use.

prayers for the dead

Catholic Prayer Library, On by CTS Staff

Eternal rest grant unto him (her), O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon him (her). May he (she) rest in peace.
R. Amen.

May his (her) soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.

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

V. Do not remember my sins, O Lord,
R. When you come to judge the world by fire.
V. Direct my way in your sight, O Lord, my God,
R. When you come to judge the world by fire.
V. Give him (her) eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on him (her) for ever,
R. When you come to judge the world by fire,
V. Lord, have mercy.
R. Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
All:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
V. And lead us not into temptation,
R. But deliver us from evil.
V. From the gates of hell,
R. Deliver his (her) soul, O Lord.
V. May he (she) rest in peace.
R. Amen.
V. Lord, hear my prayer,
R. And let my cry come to you.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
Lord, 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. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

For a parent:

Let us pray.
Almighty God, you command us to honour father and mother. In your mercy forgive the sins of my (our) parents and let me (us) one day see him (her) again in the radiance of eternal joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen

For a brother or sister:

Let us pray.
God, our Maker and Redeemer, in your mercy hear my (our) prayer. Grant forgiveness and peace to my (our) brother (sister) N. and N., who longed for your mercy. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

Handbook of PrayersThis blog is extracted from Handbook of Prayers. Beautifully illustrated, divided into 20 sections, featuring hundreds of prayers, the Handbook sets out practical ways to grow in your faith, alongside the basic tenets of the Catholic faith.

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