The Prayer for the Dead and the Dying, the Prayer for the Departed Soul, and the Prayer for the Loss of a Loved One are heartfelt expressions of comfort, solace, and support during times of grief and loss.
These prayers hold deep significance in various religious traditions and serve as a way to seek God’s mercy, grace, and guidance for those who have died or are nearing the end of their earthly journey.
They provide a space to honor and remember the departed, express feelings of sorrow and longing, and offer prayers for their eternal rest and peace.
These prayers also offer solace and strength to those grieving the loss of a loved one, providing a sense of connection to the divine and a source of healing during the grieving process.
Prayer for the Dying and Before Death
This prayer may be said before the time of death of a person approaches.
Oh, Christian soul, go forth, from this world in the name of God the almighty Father, who created you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who suffered for you, in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you, go forth, Oh faithful Christian.
May you live in peace this day, may your home be with God in Zion, with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, with Joseph, and all the Angels and Saints. Amen.
Prayer for the Dead and after Death
In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters.
In this life you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil and bid them eternal rest.
The old order has passed away, welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but the fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
Prayers Immediately After Dying
V. Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her.
V. May he/she rest in peace. Amen.
V. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Catholic Prayer for the Dead
Loving and compassionate God, our Heavenly Father, It is by Your divine power that we are given life, and Your loving guidance that directs our earthly journey, yet it is Your command that returns us to the dust from which we were formed.
Father, we believe that those who have passed away are still in Your presence, their lives transformed but not extinguished. With hope and trust, I implore You on behalf of my family, relatives, friends, and all the departed known only to You.
May they experience boundless joy in Your eternal kingdom, in the blessed company of Christ who conquered death and lives forever.
May their sorrows be replaced by everlasting happiness, where every tear is wiped away. Gather us all together once more as a united family, to offer eternal praise and worship to You. Amen.
Prayer for Condolence After the Death of a Loved One
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, In the wake of our beloved’s passing, our hearts are filled with sorrow and emptiness. We come before you, seeking solace and comfort in our grief.
We implore you to be our source of consolation, granting us inner peace, restoring our hope, and showering us with love, the warmth of family, and a sense of belonging. In the depths of our loss, may your presence meet us, providing the solace we so desperately need.
We mourn not only the physical departure of our loved one but also the profound impact they had on the world around them.
We acknowledge the ways in which their presence made a difference, and we cherish the memories that now hold both beauty and pain.
We pray that the legacy they left behind, the work you accomplished through their remarkable life, will continue to flourish and grow deeper, broader, and stronger in the days to come. May death’s feeble power be no obstacle to the ongoing impact of their life’s purpose.
In the name of Jesus, we offer this prayer, seeking your comfort, peace, and the assurance that our loved one’s legacy will endure. Amen.
Prayer for a Peaceful Death
Almighty God, I humbly pray for (name) on this day. His/her life is drawing to a close, and medical professionals have conveyed that no further interventions are possible for His/her condition, except for ensuring he/she is not in pain.
Though it feels unconventional to utter such words, I beseech you to bestow upon him/her a serene death.
May he/she find solace in approaching your divine presence and experience complete restoration. I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Short Prayer for the Dead
“Grant, we beg You, O Lord our God, that the souls of Your servants and handmaidens. The memory of whom we keep with special appreciation, and for whom we are tied and are bound to pray, and the souls of all our patrons, relatives and connections, and all the faithful, may rest in the bosom of Your saints; and hereafter, in the resurrection from death, may they please You in the land of the living. Through Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.”
Novena Prayer for the Dead
Day 1
Lord Jesus, my Savior I have very often deserved to be cast into hell. How great would my suffering be if I were now cast away and compelled to think that I myself had caused my doom. I thank You for the patience with which You have tolerated me. My God, I love You above all things and I am humbly sorry for having offended You because You are infinite goodness. I will rather die than offend You again. Give me the grace of perseverance. Take pity on me and at the same time on those blessed souls suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .
Day 2
Woe unto me, unhappy being, so many years have I already spent on earth and have earned nothing but hell! I give You thanks, O Lord, for giving me time even now to repent my sins. My loving God, I am humbly sorry for having offended You. Send me Your assistance, that I may spend the time yet remaining to me for Your love and service. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with Your powerful intercession.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .
Day 3
My Heavenly Father! because You are infinite goodness, I love You above all things, and repent with my whole heart my transgressions against You. Give me the grace of holy perseverance. Take pity on me, and, at the same, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. Also, Mary, Mother of God, come to their aid with thy powerful intercession.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .
Day 4
My loving God! because You are infinite goodness, I am sorry with my whole heart for having wronged You. I promise to die rather than ever offend You again. Give me holy perseverance; have pity on me, and have pity on those holy souls that burn in the cleansing fire and love You with all their hearts. O Mary, Mother of God, assist them by thy powerful prayers.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .
Day 5
Woe unto me, unhappy being, if You, O Lord, had cast me into hell; for from that dungeon of infinite pain there is no salvation. I love You above all things, O infinite God and I am sincerely sorry for having offended You again. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with Your powerful intercession.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .
Day 6
My Divine Redeemer, You did die for me on the Cross, and have so often united Yourself with me in Holy Communion, and I have repaid You only with ingratitude. Now, however, I love You above all things, O supreme God; and I am more upset at my offences against You than at any other evil. I would rather die than offend You again. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their aid with Your powerful intercession.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .
Day 7
Loving God, Father of Mercy, satisfy this their passionate desire! Send them Your holy Angel to announce to them that You, their Father, are now reconciled with them through the suffering and death of Jesus, and that the moment of their deliverance has arrived.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .
Day 8
Oh my Lord! I also am one of these ungrateful beings, having received so much grace, and yet despised Your love and deserved to be cast by You into hell. But Your infinite kindness has spared me until now. Therefore, I now love You above all things, and I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I will rather die than ever offend You. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their aid with thy powerful intercession.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .
Day 9
My Holy God! How was it possible that I, for so many years, have borne tranquilly the separation from You and Your holy grace! O infinite Goodness, how through long-suffering have You shown Yourself to me! Henceforth, I shall love You above all things. I am deeply sorry for having offended You; I promise I would rather die than to again offend You. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance, and do not allow that I should ever again fall into sin. Have compassion on the holy souls in Purgatory. I pray to You, moderate their sufferings; shorten the time of their misery; call them soon unto You in heaven, that they may behold You face to face, and forever love You. Mary, Mother of Mercy, come to their aid with Your powerful intercession, and pray for us also who are still in danger of eternal damnation.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory .
Christian Prayer for the Dead
“I love our Heavenly Father, because He has heard
My voice and my pleas.
Because He has lent His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
The pains of death embrace me,
and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
I stumbled into trouble and sorrow.
Then I called upon the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!”
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
Yes, our God is merciful.
The Lord preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt generously with you.
For You have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
I will walk before the Lord
In the land of the living.
I believed, therefore spoke,
“I am greatly afflicted.”
Also in my haste I said,
“All men are liars.”
What shall I surrender to the Lord
For all His benefits toward me?
I will pick up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His saints.
Heavenly Father, truly I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid;
You have loosened my bonds.
I will give to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people,
In the courts of the Lord’s house,
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!”
Prayer for the Souls of the Dead
“Heavenly Father,
today, we are called to remember those who have passed.
Particularly those who have died in the past year,
And pray for their joyful reunion with you, their loving creator.
As your Son taught us to call the stranger
neighbor, our fallen are numerous.
Names we will never know,
Voices we have not heard,
In locations we may never visit,
Yet brothers and sisters they are all.
So we pray.
For victims of war, caught in the crossfires of
conflicts we could not prevent,
for soldiers and civilians,
adults and children, we pray.
Give eternal rest to their souls, O Lord.
For those immigrants who have died seeking a
haven where they wished to find safety
and opportunity for themselves and for their families, we pray.
Grant eternal rest to their souls, O Lord.
Father for victims of hunger, denied their share in the
bounty you have placed before us, we pray.
Grant eternal rest, O Lord.
Lord for the victims of AIDS, Malaria, Ebola, and other infectious diseases.
Who perished before adequate care could reach them, we pray.
Grant eternal rest, O Lord.
For those refugees looking for asylum from war,
who died in a land that was not their home, we pray.
Grant eternal rest to their souls, O Lord.
God, for the victims of emergencies and calamities everywhere.
Who died amidst chaos and confusion, we pray.
Grant eternal rest, O Lord.
Father, as you command, we reach out to the fallen.
We call upon you on behalf of those we could not help this year.
You raised your Son from the dead
that all may share in his joyful resurrection.
In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.”
Prayer for the Family of the Dead
“Heavenly Father,
You control time within your hands, and see it all, from beginning to end. Please help and carry these precious people in their sadness and grief. Shelter them with your great wings of love, give their weary hearts rest and their minds peaceful sleep. Lord, lift their eyes so that they may get a glimpse of eternity, and be comforted by the promise of heaven.
We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.”
Prayer for the Dead Father
“Loving Jesus,
Come wait here, come live here with me. I hide in your presence, and relax in the grief.
I lost so much when dad passed away, his comforting arm around my shoulder, his generous love of me. Lord, raise up in me these wonderful memories and help me to soak in that warmth when I am chilled by his absence. Please cover me with your love and surround me with your arms.
Father, fill up my dreams with the hope of Heaven, my mind with the assurance of truth. Give me the vision to trust that my father is safe now with you. Lead me to new springs of life to enjoy, until I too come home to you Lord.
Amen.”
Prayer of Remembrance for the Dead
“You can shed tears that they are gone, or you
can smile because they have lived. you can
close your eyes and pray that they’ll come
back, or you can open your eyes and
see they have left. Your heart can be empty
because you can’t see them, or you can be
full of the love you shared. You can turn
your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because
of yesterday. You can remember them and
only that they’re gone, or you can cherish their
memory and let it live on. You can cry and
close your mind, be empty and turn your
back, or you can do what they’d want,
smile, open your eyes, love and go on. Amen”
Prayer for the Dead – for Those that Died on Active Service
“O Loving Father of truth and justice,
we bring before you those men and women
who have lost their lives in active service:
in Iraq, in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
As we honor their courage and cherish their memory,
may we place our faith in your future;
for you are the source of life and hope,
now and for ever.
Amen.”
Prayer for the Dead –
PSALM 23
“For the Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
Leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.”
Prayer for the Dead – A Child of Mine
“I’ll give you for a little while, a child of
mine, ‘Christ said. For you to love the time
they live, and mourn for when they pass on. It
may be for seven or eight years, or twenty-two
or four, but will you, until I call them back,
take care of them for me? they’ll bring their
charms to please you, and should their stay
be brief, you’ll have their lovely memories
of comfort in your time of grief. I cannot promise
they will stay since all from earth return,
but there are lessons taught down there I
want this child to learn.
I looked the wide world over, searching for teachers true, and
from the multitude that crowd life’s lane, I
have selected you. Now will you give them
all your love, not think the labor vain nor
hate Me when I come to you and take them
home again. I expect that I heard them say,
“Dear Lord, Your will be done.” For all the many
joys they’ll bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.
We’ll shelter them with tenderness, we’ll love them
while we may, and for the happiness we’ve
known, forever grateful we’ll stay. But should
the angels call for them, much sooner than
we planned, we’ll brave the bitter grief
that comes and try to understand. Amen.”
Prayer for the Dead –
For the Recently Deceased
In your loving hands, O Lord,
we humbly offer our brothers and sisters.
In this life you covered them with your tender love;
save them now from every evil
and grant them eternal rest.
The old order has faded away:
welcome them into paradise,
where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain,
but fullness of peace and joy
with your Son and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever.
Amen.”
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