Be merciful and pray for the dead

"Be merciful; pray for the departed."

--St. John of San Francisco


Among the saints give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Your departed servants, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.

You only are immortal, Who has created and fashioned us, for out of the earth were we mortals made, and to the same shall be returned again, as You did command when you made me saying unto me, "For you are dust and unto dust shall you return," whither we mortals all shall go, making our lamentation the song, "Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!"

--Eastern Orthodox prayers for the dead, Troparion and Ikos of the Funeral Service, Tone 8.


Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them.

I believe that my Redeemer liveth, and that in the last day I shall rise from the earth, and in my flesh I shall see my Savior. Whom I myself shall see, and not another, and my eyes shall behold.

Thou Who didst raise Lazarus fetid from the grave, Thou, O Lord, give them rest, and a place of pardon. Who art to come to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire. Thou, O Lord, give them rest, and a place of pardon.

O Lord, when Thou shalt come to judge the earth, where shall I hide myself from the face of Thy wrath? For I have sinned exceedingly in my life. I dread my misdeeds, and blush before Thee: do not condemn me, when Thou shalt come to judge. For I have sinned exceedingly in my life.

--Western Orthodox prayers for the dead, Matins Antiphons of the First Nocturn from the Benedictine Office of the Dead