Readings for the Liturgy of the Word for the Rite of Christian Burial are divided into three parts: a selection from the Old Testament; a selection from the New Testament; and a Gospel.

Suggested Scripture readings follow. You may click on the reading to review it and, if you wish, to print it. Make one selection each from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and Gospel. Enter each selection on your Funeral Planning Sheet where indicated.

Other Scripture passages may be presented to the pastor for approval. However, non-Scripture readings may not be read in place of these readings.

First Reading (Old Testament)

1-1: 2 Maccabees 12:43-46  "He had the resurrection of the dead in view" 
1-2: Job 19:1, 23-27a  "I know that my Vindicator lives"
1-3L: Wisdom 3:1-9  "The souls of the just are in the hand of God"  (Long)
1-3S: Wisdom 3:1-6,9  "The souls of the just are in the hand of God"  (Short)
1-4: Wisdom 4:7-14  "The just man ... shall be at rest" 
1-5: Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9  "The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces" 
1-6: Lamentations 3:17-26  "My portion is the Lord, says my soul"
1-7: Daniel 12:1-3  "The wise shall shine brightly"
 

Second Reading (New Testament)

2-1L: Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43  "Everyone who believes ... will receive forgiveness" (Long)
2-1S: Acts of the Apostles 10:34-36,42-43  "Everyone who believes ..." (Short)
2-2L: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28  "In Christ, all shall be brought to life" (Long)
2-2S: 1 Corinthians 15:20-23  "In Christ, all shall be brought to life" (Short)
2-3:  1 Corinthians 15:51-57  "We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed"
2-4:  2 Corinthians 4:14--5:1  "The one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also"
2-5: 2 Corinthians 5:1,6-10  "We would rather leave the body and go home"
2-6: 1 John 3:1-2  "Beloved, we are God's children now"
2-7: 1 John 3:14-16   "We know that we have passed from death to life"
2-8: Philippians 3:20-21   "He will change our lowly body to conform with His glorified Body"
2-9:  Revelation 14:13  "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord"
2-10: Revelation 20:11-12:1  "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth"
2-11: Revelation 21:1-5a,6b-7  "Behold, I make all things new"
2-12:  Romans 5:1,5-11  "We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son" 
2-13:  Romans 5:17-21  "Through one righteous act, acquittal and life came to all" 
2-14L:  Romans 6:3-9  "Death no longer has power over him" (Long)
2-14S:  Romans 6:3-4,8-9  "Death no longer has power over him" (Short)
2-15:  Romans 8:14-23  "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God"
2-16:  Romans 8:31b-35,37-39  "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
2-17:  Romans 14:7-9,10c-12  "This is why Christ died and came to life"
2-18: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18   "We shall always be with the Lord"
2-19: 2 Timothy 2:8-13  "If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him" 

Gospel

G-1:  Matthew 5:1-12a  "Blessed are they who mourn"
G-2:  Matthew 11:25-30  "Come to me, all you who labor..."
G-3:  Matthew 25:1-13  "You know neither the day nor the hour" 
G-4:  Matthew 25:31-46  "Whatever you did for one of the least of these..."
G-5:  Mark 15:33-39;16:1-6  "Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last"  (Long)
G-5:  Mark 15:33-39  "Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last"  (Short)
G-6:  Luke 7:11-17  "Young man, I tell you, arise" 
G-7:  Luke 12:35-40  "Be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect..." 
G-8:  Luke 23:33, 39-43  "Today, you will be with me in paradise"
G-9:  Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a  "Father, into Your hands, I commend my spirit" (Long)
G-9:  Luke 23:44-46,50,52-53  "Father, into Your hands, I commend my spirit" (Short)
G-10: Luke 24:13-35  "The Lord has truly been raised..."  (Long)
G-10: Luke 24:13-16,28-35  "The Lord has truly been raised..."  (Short)
G-11: John 5:24-29  "Whoever hears my word and believes ... has eternal life"
G-12: John 6:37-40  "I shall raise him on the last day" 
G-13: John 6:51-59  "Whoever eats this bread will live forever" 
G-14: John 11:17-27  "I am the resurrection and the life"  (Long)
G-14: John 11:21-27  "I am the resurrection and the life"  (Short)
G-15: John 11:32-45  "Lazarus, come out" 
G-16: John 12:23-28  "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies..."  (Long)
G-16: John 12:23-26  "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies..."  (Short)
G-17: John 14:1-6  "In my Father's house, there are many dwelling places"
G-18: John 17:24-26  "Where I am they also may be..." 
G-19: John 19:17-18,25-39  "Bowing His head, He handed over His spirit"