Irish Funeral Prayers and the Rosary at the Wake

Prayers Are Woven Through Every Stage

In an Irish Catholic funeral, prayer is not confined to the church. It begins at the wake, structures the Removal, carries through the Funeral Mass, and concludes at the graveside. Families are expected to select specific readings and psalms — and the parish will have rules about what is permitted.

Knowing the structure in advance helps you make these selections calmly rather than scrambling under time pressure.

The Rosary at the Wake

The Rosary is the signature prayer of the Irish wake. It is typically recited near midnight, marking the transition from public visiting to the private family vigil.

The parish priest, a deacon, or a respected elder leads the prayers. In some families, a neighbour known for leading the Rosary in the community takes this role. The format varies by parish and family preference:

• A full five decades of the Rosary (the Sorrowful Mysteries are traditional for funerals)
• A single decade followed by prayers for the deceased
• A Vigil for the Deceased — a more structured service from the Order of Christian Funerals, combining scripture readings, intercessions, and a portion of the Rosary

If you are asked to lead and are unsure of the prayers, the basic sequence for one decade is: the Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and the Glory Be. Between decades, the leader announces the Mystery being contemplated. The Sorrowful Mysteries — the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging, the Crowning with Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross, and the Crucifixion — are the traditional choice for a funeral context.

After the Rosary, it is customary to recite the Eternal Rest prayer: "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen."

Approved Readings for the Funeral Mass

The Funeral Mass follows the Order of Christian Funerals, and the readings must come from approved scripture. The family selects:

First Reading (Old Testament) Common choices include:

• Wisdom 3:1-6, 9 — "The souls of the just are in the hand of God"
• Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11 — "There is a time for everything"
• Isaiah 25:6-9 — "He will destroy death forever"

Responsorial Psalm The psalm is sung or recited between the readings. Frequently chosen psalms:

• Psalm 22 (often numbered Psalm 23 in other English translations) — "The Lord is my shepherd"
• Psalm 27 — "The Lord is my light and my salvation"
• Psalm 103 — "The Lord is compassionate and gracious"

Second Reading (New Testament)

• Romans 8:31-39 — "Nothing can separate us from the love of God"
• 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 — "Death, where is your sting?"
• Revelation 21:1-7 — "He will wipe every tear from their eyes"

Gospel

• John 14:1-6 — "In my Father's house are many rooms"
• John 11:21-27 — The raising of Lazarus
• Matthew 5:1-12 — The Beatitudes

Your parish may provide a printed list of approved options. The Dublin Diocesan Liturgical Resource Centre publishes a Parish Funeral Guide with the full approved selection. Ask the priest early — ideally within 24 hours of the death — so readings can be confirmed before printing any Mass booklets.

The Prayer of the Faithful

Family members typically read the Prayer of the Faithful (bidding prayers) during the Mass. These are short petitions — usually four to six — read by different family representatives. They follow a set structure:

1. A prayer for the deceased
2. A prayer for the bereaved family
3. A prayer for the wider community
4. A prayer for those who cared for the deceased (medical staff, carers)
5. A prayer for all the faithful departed

The prayers are written in advance and reviewed by the presiding priest. Keep each petition to two or three sentences.

Prayers at the Graveside

The Rite of Committal at the cemetery is brief but significant. The priest offers prayers of farewell, blesses the ground, and sprinkles holy water or earth onto the lowered coffin. The traditional closing is:

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

In Irish-speaking areas, the graveside prayer is often rendered in Gaeilge: "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam" (May his soul be at the right hand of God) or "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam" for a woman.

Navigating Parish Requirements

Each parish has its own expectations about how the liturgy is structured. Some are flexible; others are strict. The key variable is the presiding priest's interpretation of diocesan guidelines. Before finalising any readings, hymns, or prayers, confirm directly with the parish office.

The Catholic Funeral Ireland guide includes the full approved reading list, decade-by-decade Rosary instructions for non-practising family members, and a planning worksheet for coordinating your liturgical selections with the parish.