12 Catholic Prayers and Readings for Funeral Cards, With Wording and Examples

A Catholic funeral card can use a traditional prayer, a Scripture reference, or a brief petition asking God to receive and care for the deceased.

Eternal Rest is one of the most familiar choices, but the right wording also depends on the person’s devotion, the tone of the service, and the space available on the card.

The prayer card does not need to summarize an entire life or explain every belief. Its purpose is quieter: to honor the person, invite prayer, and give family and friends words they can return to after the funeral.

“A Catholic funeral prayer card can serve as both a memorial keepsake and a lasting invitation to pray for the deceased.”

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Quick Guide to Catholic Funeral Prayer Card Choices

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12 Catholic Prayers and Readings for Funeral Cards

1. Eternal Rest

The Eternal Rest prayer is a concise, traditional choice for a Catholic funeral prayer card. It asks God to grant rest and perpetual light to the deceased.

Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him/her.
May he/she rest in peace. Amen.
May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Replace the pronouns with the deceased’s name if preferred.

For example:

Eternal rest grant unto Maria, O Lord.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops also provides prayers for death and dying that families may review when choosing language.

2. Hail Mary

The Hail Mary is a fitting choice for someone who prayed the Rosary, had a devotion to the Blessed Mother, or found comfort in Marian prayer.

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

3. Our Father

The Our Father is widely recognized, including by guests who may not know other Catholic devotions.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

In Catholic private prayer, the Our Father typically ends after “deliver us from evil.”

During Mass, the priest then says the embolism, after which the congregation responds with the doxology.

4. Glory Be

The Glory Be is brief, recognizably Catholic, and centered on the Trinity.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Its short length leaves room for:

• A photograph
• The deceased’s name
• Birth and death dates
• A short remembrance line

5. Memorare

The Memorare asks for Mary’s intercession and may suit someone with a strong Marian devotion.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Because the Memorare is longer, a folded prayer card may be easier to read than a standard small card.

6. Prayer of St. Francis

The prayer commonly known as the Prayer of St. Francis begins with a petition to become an instrument of peace.

Its themes include:

• Forgiveness
• Hope
• Light
• Consolation
• Self-giving

Although closely associated with St. Francis of Assisi, the text was composed much later and is not found in his writings.

English versions also vary.

For a prayer card, use a version supplied or approved by the parish, or obtain permission for the exact modern translation being printed.

The complete prayer usually works better in a folded format. It can be especially appropriate for someone remembered for peacemaking, service, generosity, or care for others.

7. Divine Mercy Aspiration

A short Divine Mercy prayer can be particularly appropriate for someone who practiced the Divine Mercy devotion.

Jesus, I trust in You.

This aspiration may stand alone beneath the person’s name and dates or accompany a Divine Mercy image.

Check wording and permissions before printing a longer modern devotional passage.

8. A Short Prayer Invoking Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

A compact prayer can invoke the Holy Family while praying for the deceased.

The following is original wording and may be personalized:

Lord Jesus, grant [Name] eternal rest.
Mary and Joseph, pray for us.
Comfort all who mourn,
and keep our family close to Christ. Amen.

Because this is original wording rather than a fixed liturgical prayer, a family may adapt it carefully.

For example:

Keep her children close to Christ.

may be used when remembering a mother.

9. Psalm 23

Psalm 23 presents God as shepherd and guide through the darkest valley.

For a small prayer card, cite:

Psalm 23

and use a brief permitted selection from an approved Bible translation rather than shrinking the complete psalm.

The USCCB’s list of responsorial psalms for Christian funerals can also help families understand which psalms are commonly used in Catholic funeral liturgies.

10. John 14:1-3

In John 14:1-3, Jesus consoles his disciples and speaks of preparing a place in the Father’s house.

A card might display:

John 14:1-3
Christ’s promise of a place prepared in the Father’s house.

The explanatory line above is original wording.

Verify the translation and reprint terms before printing biblical text. A longer passage may require a folded card.

11. Wisdom 3:1-9

Wisdom 3:1-9 reflects on the souls of the righteous in God’s care.

Because it is a longer passage, consider using:

• The Scripture reference only
• A permitted excerpt
• Selected verses
• A folded prayer card

12. Revelation 21:4

Revelation 21:4 offers a vision in which death, mourning, and pain have passed away and God wipes away every tear.

A simple treatment is:

Revelation 21:4
God’s promise that sorrow, pain, and death will not have the final word.

The explanatory line is original wording.

Confirm permissions before reproducing a modern Bible translation.

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How to Choose the Right Catholic Prayer

Begin with the deceased’s spiritual life.

A:

• Rosary devotion
• Divine Mercy devotion
• Patron saint
• Favorite Bible passage
• Frequently used family prayer

can point to wording that feels personal.

Then consider the tone.

Eternal Rest is traditional. The Hail Mary is distinctly Marian. Psalm 23 and John 14 offer scriptural consolation. An original prayer can provide accessible wording for mixed-faith guests.

Consider the Available Card Space

Card size matters.

Use a folded format for:

• The Memorare
• The full Prayer of St. Francis
• Long Scripture passages
• Long personalized prayers

rather than shrinking the type until it becomes difficult to read.

Ask the Parish When You Are Unsure

For Catholic funerals in the United States, ask the parish or funeral liturgy coordinator to review the selection when there is uncertainty.

Parish guidance can be especially useful when the card:

• Reproduces liturgical text
• Uses a modern Bible translation
• Includes unfamiliar devotional wording
• Will be distributed during a Funeral Mass

Copyright and permission requirements depend on the exact prayer, translation, and source.

Verify the selected wording and any required acknowledgment before printing.

Choose the prayer for meaning first and layout second. If the right prayer is too long for a small card, change the format rather than making the text difficult to read.

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What to Include on the Front and Back

Front of the Prayer Card

The front commonly includes:

• A portrait or religious image
• The deceased’s full name
• Birth and death dates
• A brief phrase such as “In Loving Memory”
• An optional cross or other restrained Catholic symbol

Back of the Prayer Card

The back commonly includes:

• The selected prayer or Scripture reference
• A short remembrance line
• The person’s relationship or family role
• An optional request to pray for the deceased
• An optional funeral date or parish name

Let the person’s name, image, and prayer carry the design.

Families can also review these funeral prayer card examples and prayer card design tips.

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Catholic Prayer Card, Memorial Card, Holy Card, or Mass Card?

These terms overlap, but they are not always identical.

A Mass card should not imply that a Mass offering, enrollment, or scheduled intention exists unless that arrangement has actually been made through a parish, religious community, or authorized organization.

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Four Customizable Catholic Funeral Prayer Card Templates

Replace every bracketed field with the correct:

• Name
• Dates
• Relationship
• Image
• Pronouns

before printing.

Traditional Eternal Rest Card

Marian Prayer Card

Scripture-Led Prayer Card

Gentle Original Family Prayer

More wording options are available in Honor You’s collection of poems and prayers for memorial prayer cards.

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How to Personalize the Card Respectfully

Connect the wording to the person through:

• A family relationship
• A patron saint
• A practiced devotion
• A favorite Scripture passage
• A restrained remembrance line

For a mother, father, or grandparent, the card might include:

With gratitude for her faithful love and care.

Remembered for his steady faith and devotion to family.

Her prayers and example remain with us.

These are remembrance statements rather than declarations about the person’s spiritual state.

Catholic funeral prayer is rooted in hope and trust in God’s mercy, so wording such as “now an angel” or absolute claims about sainthood may be inappropriate.

If the deceased’s faith was uncertain or they were not Catholic, ask God for:

• Mercy
• Comfort
• Peace
• Strength for the family

without assigning beliefs to the deceased.

For mixed-faith guests, a heading such as:

Please pray for [Name].

and a familiar prayer such as the Our Father may be easier to understand than an unexplained devotional reference.

Families navigating a difficult loss may also find support in Honor You’s grief and loss resources.

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Catholic Prayer Card Design and Print Checklist

A typical funeral prayer card is approximately 2.5 by 4.25 inches.

Exact finished sizes vary, so check the selected template before finalizing the text.

Before approving the card:

• Use a larger or folded format for long prayers.
• Keep the type large enough to read without strain.
• Proof the full name carefully.
• Check birth and death dates.
• Verify places and relationship labels.
• Check every pronoun in a personalized prayer.
• Confirm Scripture references.
• Confirm the Bible translation being used.
• Review permissions for modern translations or devotional texts.
• Choose a clear portrait, crucifix, saint image, Marian image, or other meaningful artwork.
• Make sure the image supports the prayer rather than crowding it.
• Order enough extras for relatives, friends, and later memorial use based on the family’s needs.
• Compare the prayer card with any accompanying funeral program so names, dates, and design details remain consistent.

Read the final proof aloud.

This often reveals:

• Duplicated words
• Awkward line breaks
• Missing words
• Incorrect pronouns
• A misspelled name

A prayer card should be easy to hold, easy to read, and simple enough that the person’s name, image, and prayer remain the focus.

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Create a Catholic Funeral Prayer Card With Honor You

Honor You’s prayer card collection offers prepared designs that families can personalize.

A typical process may include:

1. Choose a prayer card template.
2. Upload a portrait or select a religious image.
3. Add the deceased’s full name.
4. Add birth and death dates.
5. Choose the prayer or Scripture wording.
6. Review names, dates, pronouns, and line breaks.
7. Confirm the prayer source and any required permissions.
8. Approve the final proof before printing.

The finished card can then serve as a lasting invitation to pray and remember.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good Catholic prayer for a funeral card?

Eternal Rest is a concise and traditional Catholic choice.

The Hail Mary, Our Father, Glory Be, Psalm 23, and John 14:1-3 are also familiar options.

Choose a prayer connected to the deceased’s faith and short enough to remain readable on the selected card.

Are funeral prayer cards Catholic?

Prayer cards are strongly associated with Catholic devotion, but memorial cards are used across many religious and cultural traditions.

Catholic funeral prayer cards often include:

• A sacred image
• The deceased’s name
• Birth and death dates
• A prayer for the deceased

What belongs on a Catholic funeral prayer card?

Include the name, dates, image, and selected prayer or Scripture reference.

A relationship line, parish name, funeral date, or brief remembrance message may also be added if space allows.

Can I use a Bible verse on a funeral prayer card?

Yes.

Choose an appropriate passage, use an approved translation when parish guidance applies, and check the reprint terms for the exact translation being used.

How long should the prayer be?

The best test is readability.

Use a folded card or a Scripture reference with a short permitted selection when the full text would require very small type.

Is a prayer card the same as a Mass card?

No.

A prayer card is a devotional memorial keepsake that invites prayer for the deceased.

A Mass card generally records that a Mass intention or spiritual enrollment has been arranged.

Do not call a card a Mass card unless that intention or enrollment is genuine.

Should a priest review the prayer card?

Review can be helpful when the card includes:

• Liturgical wording
• A modern Scripture translation
• Unfamiliar devotional language
• A theological statement about death or eternal life

A parish may also have preferences for materials distributed during the Funeral Mass.

Can I personalize a traditional prayer?

You can usually substitute the deceased’s name for a pronoun or add a separate dedication.

Avoid rewriting a traditional prayer in a way that changes its meaning while still presenting it as the original.

Clearly identify substantially changed or newly written language as an adaptation or original prayer.

Can I use the deceased’s patron saint on the card?

Yes. A patron saint image, saint name, or appropriate devotional reference can help personalize the card when it reflects the person’s faith.

Can a Catholic funeral prayer card include a photograph?

Yes. Many prayer cards pair a portrait of the deceased with a cross, Marian image, saint image, or another Catholic symbol.

What size is a Catholic funeral prayer card?

The supplied article notes that a typical prayer card is approximately 2.5 by 4.25 inches, although finished sizes vary by printer and template.

What should I put on the back of a Catholic prayer card?

The back commonly includes the prayer or Scripture reference, a remembrance line, an optional request for prayer, and sometimes the funeral date or parish name.