Catholic Funeral Mass Selections

Funerals - General Intercessions

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,

         and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

         for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

         for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

         for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

         for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

         for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

         for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

         for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

         for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

         and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad,

         for your reward will be great in heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Funerals - General Intercessions

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 

At that time Jesus answered:

         “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

         for although you have hidden these things

         from the wise and the learned

         you have revealed them to the childlike.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

No one knows the Son except the Father,

         and no one knows the Father except the Son

         and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,

         and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

         for I am meek and humble of heart;

         and you will find rest for yourselves.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Funerals - General Intercessions

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus told his disciples this parable:

"The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins

who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,

brought no oil with them,

but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.

Since the bridegroom was long delayed,

they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight, there was a cry,

'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.

The foolish ones said to the wise,

'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

But the wise ones replied,

'No, for there may not be enough for us and you.

Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.'

While they went off to buy it,

the bridegroom came

and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.

Then the door was locked.

Afterwards the other virgins came and said,

'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!'

But he said in reply,

'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'

Therefore, stay awake,

for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Funerals - General Intercessions