Below you will find the approved First Readings (Old Testament) for planning a funeral liturgy for use at any time of the year.

Please select one reading from below.

Each scripture reference is followed by a summary theme of that reading.

Click on the blue text for the entire First Reading (Old Testament).

Bring a copy of each of your four selections  (First Reading, Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel)  to your meeting with the presider. 

Please print your selected  readings in their entirety.  

First Reading (Old Testament)

For use at any time of the year

C1 - 2 Maccabees 12: 43-46  “he acted in an excellent and noble way..."

C2 - Job 19: 1, 23-27a  "I know that my vindicator lives...."

C3 - Wisdom 3: 1-9 (long version)  "The souls of the just are in the hand of God..." OR  Wisdom 3: 1-6, 9 (short version)

C4 - Wisdom 4: 7-15  "The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest..."

C5 - Isaiah 25: 6a, 7-9  "he will destroy death forever..."

C6 - Lamentations 3: 17-26  "My portion is the Lord, says my soul..."

C7 - Daniel 12: 1-3  "many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake..."

FIRST READING EASTER SEASON ONLY (EASTER SUNDAY-PENTECOST)

C8 - Acts 10: 34-43 (long version)  “He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead…”  OR Acts 10: 34-36, 42-43 (short version)

C9 - Revelation 14:13  “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord…”

C10 - Revelation 20:11 - 21:1  “The dead were judged according to their deeds…”

C11 - Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7  “there shall be no more death or mourning …”