FUNERALS
At St. J’s collaborative, we provide a full range of vigil and funeral services, including Mass at the church, and graveside services prior to interment. Our staff are available to assist you with planning the funeral liturgy.
For funeral inquiries, contact:
617-773-1021
CATHOLIC FUNERAL MASS READINGS
Part of planning a funeral Mass involves selecting the readings. Below you will find a list of the main options to consider:
*Important: The exact permissible readings depend on the funeral rite, liturgical season, and circumstances
First Reading — Old Testament
Job 19:1, 23–27a — “I know that my Redeemer lives.”
Wisdom 3:1–9 — “The souls of the just are in the hand of God.”
Isaiah 25:6a, 7–9 — “He will destroy death forever.”
Lamentations 3:17–26 — “The Lord is good to those who hope in him.”
Daniel 12:1–3 — “Those who sleep in the dust shall awake.”
*During Easter Time, the first reading is normally from the New Testament rather than the Old Testament.
Second Reading — New Testament
Acts 10:34–43 — Jesus is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.
Romans 5:5–11 — “While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
Romans 6:3–9 — Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection.
Romans 8:14–23 — Hope of redemption and resurrection.
Romans 8:31b–35, 37–39 — Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:20–28 — Christ has been raised from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:51–57 — “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
2 Corinthians 4:14–5:1 — The earthly dwelling is replaced by an eternal dwelling.
2 Corinthians 5:1, 6–10 — “We have a building from God, eternal in heaven.”
Philippians 3:20–21 — Christ will transform our mortal bodies.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 — “The dead in Christ will rise.”
2 Timothy 2:8–13 — If we have died with Christ, we shall also live with him.
1 John 3:1–2 — “We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
1 John 3:14–16 — We have passed from death to life because of love.
Gospel
Matthew 5:1–12a — The Beatitudes.
Matthew 11:25–30 — “Come to me... and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 25:31–46 — The judgment of the nations; “Whatever you did for one of the least...”
Luke 7:11–17 — Jesus raises the widow’s son at Nain.
Luke 12:35–40 — “Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming.”
Luke 23:33, 39–43 — The Good Thief: “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
John 5:24–29 — Those who hear Christ’s word will have eternal life.
John 6:37–40 — “Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life.”
John 6:51–58 — “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.”
John 11:17–27 — Jesus and Martha; “I am the resurrection and the life.”
John 11:32–45 — Jesus raises Lazarus.
John 12:23–28 — “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies...”
John 14:1–6 — “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.”
John 17:24–26 — Jesus prays that his disciples may be with him.
John 19:17–30 — The Passion and death of Jesus.
John 19:38–42 — Jesus is laid in the tomb.
*Important: The exact permissible readings depend on the funeral rite, liturgical season, and circumstances