O God, Whose property is always to have mercy and to spare, we humbly beseech Thee for the soul of Thy servant N…, which Thou hast this day commanded to depart out of this world, that Thou wouldst not deliver it into the hands of the enemy, nor forget it unto the end, but wouldst command it to be received by the Holy Angels, and conducted to Paradise, its true country; that as in Thee it hath hoped and believed, it may not suffer the pains of hell, but may take possession of eternal joys.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The background story of A Prayer to Say On the Day of a Person’s Death or Burial
The “Prayer to Say on the Day of a Person’s Death or Burial” is a Catholic prayer that is recited in memory of the deceased. Its origins are unclear, but it has been used by Catholics for many centuries as a way of expressing faith in God’s mercy and the hope of eternal life.
The prayer is typically recited at the funeral or burial of a loved one and asks for God’s mercy and forgiveness for the deceased. It also expresses the belief that the soul of the departed will be received into heaven.
Many variations of the prayer exist in different languages and cultures, but they all share a common message of faith, hope, and love for the departed.
One version of the prayer that is commonly used in English reads, “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
For centuries, Catholics have found comfort in the praying for the souls of the departed and in the belief that death is not the end but rather the beginning of eternal life. The Prayer to Say on the Day of a Person’s Death or Burial remains a powerful reminder of this faith and hope.