Funeral prayers are words spoken during a service to commend the person who has died to God’s care, to give thanks for their life, and to comfort the people who are grieving. Most Christian funerals include a few: the Lord’s Prayer, a prayer of commendation, a prayer for the family, and a blessing at the end.
If you are planning a service and are not sure which prayers to choose, or where they belong, this guide will help. You do not need to get it perfect. The minister, priest or celebrant leading the service will guide you, and the prayers you choose only need to feel right for your family.
What do prayers do at a funeral?
Prayers give the service a shape. They mark the moments when everyone in the room pauses together: to give thanks, to say goodbye, and to ask for comfort. Even people who do not usually pray often find these moments steadying.
For a person of faith, prayers are also a way of saying that their life matters beyond this room, and that they are held in something larger than our grief. For families, they can be a place to rest when there are no other words.
Which prayers are usually said at a Christian funeral?
Every church and every minister does things a little differently, but most services follow a familiar pattern. This table shows the prayers you are most likely to meet, and when each one is used.
| Prayer | When it is used | Who usually says it |
|---|---|---|
| Opening prayer | At the start, after the welcome | Minister, priest or celebrant |
| The Lord’s Prayer | Mid-service, said together by everyone | The whole congregation |
| Prayer of thanksgiving | Alongside the tribute or eulogy | Minister or a family member |
| Prayer for the family | After the readings, or before the committal | Minister or priest |
| Prayer of commendation | Near the end, as the person is entrusted to God’s care | Minister or priest |
| Committal | At the graveside or crematorium | Minister, priest or celebrant |
| Closing blessing | The final words before everyone leaves | Minister or priest |
You do not need to include every one. Two to four prayers, alongside the readings and hymns, is usual for a service of around 30 to 40 minutes.
What are the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23, and why are they so common?
The Lord’s Prayer, which begins “Our Father, who art in heaven”, is the one prayer almost every congregation knows by heart. It is usually said together, and many people find it a comfort simply because it is so familiar.
Psalm 23, which begins “The Lord is my shepherd”, is one of the most widely chosen readings at funerals. It is often read, or sung as a hymn, rather than prayed, but it sits naturally beside the prayers.
If you think some guests may not know the words, print them in the order of service. Everyone can then join in, and nobody has to worry about getting it wrong.
What prayers could I use at a funeral?
These short prayers were written for this page. You are welcome to use or adapt them. Replace [Name] with the name of the person who has died, and ask the person leading your service whether they would like to use them or suggest their own.
An opening prayer
Gracious God, we gather today to remember [Name], to give thanks for their life, and to bring our sadness to you. Be with us in this service. Comfort those who grieve, and help us to remember with love and honesty. Amen.
A prayer of thanksgiving
God of all life, we thank you for [Name]: for the people they loved, for the kindness and laughter they gave, and for the ordinary days that made them who they were. Help us to hold these memories gently, and with gratitude. Amen.
A prayer for the family
Loving God, be close to everyone who feels this loss. Where there are tears, bring comfort. Where there is silence, bring peace. Where there are questions that cannot be answered today, give us patience, and the courage to carry on, supported by one another. Amen.
A prayer of commendation
Into your hands, merciful God, we commend [Name]. Receive them in your love, and bring them to rest in your peace, where there is no more sorrow and no more pain, but life everlasting. Amen.
A closing blessing
May the God of peace go with us as we leave this place. May we be held by love, strengthened by memory, and given courage for the days ahead. Amen.
What is a prayer for someone who is dying?
A prayer for the dying is a short, gentle prayer said at the bedside, asking for comfort, peace and freedom from fear for the person who is nearing the end of their life. It can be said aloud, quietly, or simply held in your mind while you sit with them.
There is no right way to do this. Holding a hand, speaking softly, or reading something familiar, such as the Lord’s Prayer or Psalm 23, can mean a great deal. Here are two short prayers you might use.
Gentle God, be with [Name] now. Let them feel safe and loved. Ease any pain or fear, and surround them with your peace. Thank you for the life they have lived and for all they mean to us. Amen.
God, give me the words, or the silence, that [Name] needs from me. Help me to be present, and to let go when the time comes. Amen.
If the person is a Catholic, a priest can offer the Sacrament of the Sick and other prayers at the bedside, so it is worth asking your parish priest as early as you can. Hospital and hospice chaplains are also there for patients and families of every faith, or none, and can usually be reached through the ward or hospice staff.
Are the prayers different in Catholic, Anglican and other churches?
Yes. A Catholic funeral usually includes prayers of the faithful and a prayer for the soul of the person who has died. Anglican, Methodist and other Protestant services follow their own set forms, with some flexibility for personal prayers. The wording and order differ, but the purpose is the same: to give thanks, to commend the person to God, and to comfort those who mourn.
The minister or priest will usually bring the main prayers and ask whether you would like to add any of your own. Our guide to the Catholic funeral service explains that order in more detail.
Who leads the prayers, and can a family member say one?
The minister, priest or celebrant usually leads them. Most are happy for a family member or close friend to read one prayer or say the opening words, if that feels right. If you would like to, ask when you meet to plan the service.
If you are nervous about speaking, choose something short and read it slowly from a printed card. Nobody expects it to be perfect, and people are very forgiving at funerals.
How do I put prayers in an order of service?
Most families print the prayers they would like everyone to join in with, such as the Lord’s Prayer, and give only the title for those the minister will say alone. A simple running order might look like this:
- Entrance music and welcome
- Opening prayer
- Hymn
- Reading and tribute
- The Lord’s Prayer (printed in full)
- Prayer for the family and prayer of commendation
- Committal and closing blessing
Your designer at Fitting Farewell can set the prayers out clearly beside your photographs and the other parts of the service, so guests know when to stand, sit or join in. Our guide to what to put in a funeral order of service explains the rest of the running order.
If it helps, our free Funeral Prayers Booklet (PDF) has more examples to look through.
Can I include a prayer at a non-religious funeral?
Yes, if it matters to the family. Many non-religious and humanist services include a quiet pause for reflection, or a reading that does not mention God, and some families choose to include a single familiar prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer. A celebrant can help you decide what feels right for the people in the room.
Our guides to funeral readings, humanist funerals and non-religious funerals give more ideas, and our guide to funeral hymns and music can help you choose what is sung.
When you are ready to talk about the order of service, call us free on 0800 612 6484 or send us a message. You will speak directly to your designer.
