Rite of Committal

The Rite of Committal (OCF 319) is used at the cemetery when the final commendation is celebrated within the funeral liturgy

The Rite of Committal with Final Commendation (OCF 327) is used at the cemetery if the final commendation is not celebrated as part of the funeral liturgy.

While both the above committal rights are options, the Rite of Final Commendation for an Infant starting on OCF 337 (and also included within the above-mentioned Order of Naming and Commendation ) is particularly appropriate in the case of a stillborn baby or of an infant who dies shortly after birth. Especially if the body is not present or a burial is not possible, this short rite can be adapted according to the circumstances and may be used in the home, hospital, or at the cemetery. If a formal burial is also to take place, the act of committal could be done immediately after the prayer of commendation.

Additional Collect Prayers from the Order of Christian Funerals

OCF 399,13 A child who died before baptism

O Lord, whose ways are beyond understanding, listen to the prayers of your faithful people: that those weighed down by grief at the loss of this [little] child may find reassurance in your infinite goodness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

OCF 399,14 A child who died before baptism

God of all consolation, searcher of mind and heart, the faith of these parents [N. and N.] is known to you. Comfort them with the knowledge that the child for whom they grieve is entrusted now to your loving care. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

OCF 399,15 A stillborn child or miscarriage (substitute this child for him/her if gender unknown)

Lord God, ever caring and gentle, we commit to your love this little one, quickened to life for so short a time. Enfold him/her in eternal life. We pray for his/her parents who are saddened by the loss of their child. Give them courage and help them in their pain and grief. May they all meet one day in the joy and peace of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

RITE OF COMMITTAL WITH FINAL COMMENDATION

INVITATION

327 When the funeral procession arrives at the place of committal, the minister says the following or a similar invitation.

The life which this child N. received from his/her parents is not destroyed by death. God has taken him/her into eternal life.

As we commend N. to God and commit his/her body to the earth/elements, let us express in [song and] prayer our common faith in the resurrection. As Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, we too are called to follow him through death to the glory where God will be all in all.

SCRIPTURE VERSE

328 One of the following verses or another brief Scripture verse is read.

The minister first says:

We read in sacred Scripture:

A Matthew 25:34

Come, you who are blessed by my Father, says the Lord, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

B John 6:39

This is the will of the one who sent me, says the Lord, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day.

C Philippians 3:20

Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

D Revelation 1:5-6

Jesus Christ is the firstborn of the dead; to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE PLACE OF COMMITTAL

329 The minister says one of the following prayers or one of those provided in no. 405, p. 370.

A If the place of committal is to be blessed:

O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, bless this grave, and send your holy angel to watch over it.

As we bury here the body of N., welcome him/her into your presence, that he/she may rejoice in you with your saints for ever. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

B If the place of committal has already been blessed:

All praise to you, Lord of all creation.

Praise to you, holy and living God.

We praise and bless you for your mercy,

we praise and bless you for your kindness.

Blessed is the Lord, our God.

R. Blessed is the Lord, our God.

You sanctify the homes of the living

and make holy the places of the dead.

You alone open the gates of righteousness

and lead us to the dwellings of the saints.

Blessed is the Lord, our God.

R. Blessed is the Lord, our God.

We praise you, our refuge and strength.

We bless you, our God and Redeemer.

Your praise is always in our hearts and on our lips.

We remember the mighty deeds of the covenant.

Blessed is the Lord, our God.

R. Blessed is the Lord, our God.

Almighty and ever-living God, remember the love with which you graced your child N. in life. Receive him/her, we pray, into the mansions of the saints. As we make ready this resting place, look also with favor on those who mourn and comfort them in their loss. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

C When the final disposition of the body is to take place at a later time:

Almighty and ever-living God, in you we place our trust and hope, in you the dead, whose bodies were temples of the Spirit, find everlasting peace. As we take leave of N., give our hearts peace in the firm hope that one day he/she will live in the mansion you have prepared for him/her in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

INVITATION TO PRAYER

330 Using one of the following invitations, or one of those provided in no. 402, p. 365, or in similar words, the minister faces the people and begins the final commendation.

A A baptized child

God in his wisdom knows the span of our days; he has chosen to call to himself this child, whom he adopted as his own in baptism. The body we must now bury will one day rise again to a new and radiant life that will never end.

Our firm belief is that N., because he/she was baptized, has already entered this new life; our firm hope is that we shall do the same. Let us ask God to comfort his/her family and friends and to increase our desire for the joys of heaven.

B A baptized child

With faith in Christ, we must reverently bury the body of N.

Let us pray with confidence to God, in whose sight all creation lives, that he will raise up in holiness and power the mortal body of this [little] child, for God has chosen to number his/her soul among the blessed.

C A child who died before baptism

Let us commend this child to the Lord’s merciful keeping; and let us pray with all our hearts for N. and N. Even as they grieve at the loss of their [little] child, they entrust him/her to the loving embrace of God.

SILENCE

331 All pray in silence.

SIGNS OF FAREWELL

332 The coffin of a baptized child may now be sprinkled with holy water and incensed, or this may take place during or after the song of farewell.

SONG OF FAREWELL

333 The song of farewell is then sung. The following or other responsories chosen from no. 403, p. 366, may be used or some other song may be sung.

A I know that my Redeemer lives:

on the last day I shall rise again.

R. And in my flesh I shall see God.

Or:

R. On the last day I shall rise again.

I shall see him myself, face to face;

and my own eyes shall behold my Savior. R.

Within my heart this hope I cherish:

that in my flesh I shall see God. R.

B Saints of God, come to his/her aid!

Hasten to meet him/her, angels of the Lord!

R. Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.

May Christ, who called you, take you to himself;

may angels lead you to the bosom of Abraham. R.

Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon him/her. R.

PRAYER OF COMMENDATION

334 The minister then says one of the following prayers or one of those provided in no. 404, p. 368.

A A baptized child

You are author and sustainer of our lives, O God.

You are our final home.

We commend to you N., our child.

In baptism he/she began his/her journey toward you.

Take him/her now to yourself

and give him/her the life

promised to those born again of water and the Spirit.

Turn also to us who have suffered this loss.

Strengthen the bonds of this family and our community.

Confirm us in faith, in hope, and in love,

so that we may bear your peace to one another

and one day stand together with all the saints

who praise you for your saving help.

We ask this in the name of your Son,

whom you raised from among the dead,

Jesus Christ, our Lord.

R. Amen.

B A child who died before baptism

You are the author and sustainer of our lives, O God,

you are our final home.

We commend to you N., our child.

Trusting in your mercy

and in your all-embracing love,

we pray that you give him/her happiness for ever.

Turn also to us who have suffered this loss.

Strengthen the bonds of this family and our community.

Confirm us in faith, in hope, and in love,

so that we may bear your peace to one another

and one day stand together with all the saints

who praise you for your saving help.

We ask this in the name of your Son,

Jesus Christ, our Lord.

R. Amen.

COMMITTAL

335 The act of committal takes place at this time or at the conclusion of the rite.

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

336 The assisting minister says:

Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing.

All pray silently. The minister, with hands extended, prays over the people:

Most merciful God,

whose wisdom is beyond our understanding,

surround the family of N. with your love,

that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss,

but have confidence in your goodness,

and strength to meet the days to come.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

The minister then says the following:

Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her.

May he/she rest in peace.

R. Amen.

May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

A minister who is a priest or deacon says:

May the peace of God,

which is beyond all understanding,

keep your hearts and minds

in the knowledge and love of God

and of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

R. Amen.

May almighty God bless you,

the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

A lay minister invokes God’s blessing and signs himself or herself with the sign of the cross, saying:

May the love of God and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ

bless and console us

and gently wipe every tear from our eyes:

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

The minister then concludes:

Go in the peace of Christ.

R. Thanks be to God.

A song may conclude the rite. Where it is the custom, some sign or gesture of leave-taking may be made.