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Veterans

Military Funeral Honors Frequently Asked Questions

Information on Military Honors, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, and answers to frequently asked questions are at the Military Funeral Honors web site:militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil/. The web site contains up-to-date information and direct links to other related web sites.

1. What is Military Funeral Honors?

The basic Military Funeral Honors ceremony consists of the folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veteran's family and the playing of Taps. The ceremony is performed by a funeral honors detail consisting of at least two members of the Armed Forces. At least one of the funeral honors detail will be from the Armed Force in which the deceased veteran served. Taps may be played by a bugler or, if a bugler is not available, by using a quality recorded version. This basic ceremony will be provided to every eligible veteran, when requested. Depending upon the culture and traditions of the Military Service, additional personnel or other elements of funeral honors may be added.

In addition, local Veterans Service Organizations (VSO), who have historically performed Military Funeral Honors, and other authorized organization may complement the Military Funeral Honors detail. For example, the VSOs might augment the ceremony by providing a firing party. This voluntary assistance would be in addition to the services provided by the Military Funeral Honors detail. If there is a VSO or authorized organization in the area that might have an interest in assisting in the Military Funeral Honors ceremony, and if desired by the family, the funeral director should notify the Military Service point of contact.

2. How do I establish veteran eligibility?

The preferred method is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing other than dishonorable service can be used. The DD 214 may be obtained by filling out a Standard Form 180 and sending it to:

National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132

The standard Form 180 may be obtained from the National Records Center or via the Internet at:
www.nara.gov

3. Who is eligible for a burial flag

The VA establishes eligibility. Your funeral director will assist you in obtaining a flag. More information is available at: www.cem.va.gov

4. What is a Presidential Memorial Certificate? Who is eligible to receive this certificate? How does the family obtain this certificate?

This is a parchment certificate with a calligraphic inscription expressing the nation s grateful recognition of an honorably discharged, deceased veteran's service in the Armed Forces. The veteran's name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the President.

All veterans are eligible to receive this certificate. The family may request a Presidential Memorial Certificate either in person at any VA regional office or by U.S. mail. Requests cannot be sent via email. There is no form to fill out when requesting this certificate. If requesting by mail, a return address and a copy of the veterans's discharge documents must be enclosed. Send requests to:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
National Cemetery Administration (403A)
810 Vermont Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20420
More information is available at:
www.cem.va.gov
5. How do I request a grave marker?

South Coast Funeral Service will assist you or if you have questions about grave markers, family members can write to the VA at:

Memorial Programs Service (403)
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20420
More information is available at:
www.cem.va.gov
6. To whom can I write to express comments or concerns about the Military Funeral Honors program?

You may write to:

Military Funeral Honors
9504 IH 35 North, Suite 320
San Antonio, TX 78233-663

Veterans Services Site

Social Security Information

A Message from Social Security

Your funeral director is helping the Social Security office by giving you this information about Social Security benefits. If the deceased was receiving benefits, you need to contact us to report the death. If you think you may be eligible for survivors benefits, you should contact us to apply.

How Social Security helps families

Social Security survivors benefits help ease the financial burden that follows a worker's death. Almost all children under age 18 will get monthly benefits if a working parent dies. Other family members may be eligible for benefits, too. Anyone who has worked and paid Social Security (FICA) taxes has been earning Social Security benefits for his or her family. The amount of work needed to pay survivors benefits depends on the worker's age at the time of death. It may be as little as 1-1/2 years for a young worker. No one needs more than 10 years.

Who can get survivors benefits?

Here is a list of family members who usually can get benefits:

  • Widows and widowers age 60 or older.
  • Widows and widowers at any age if caring for the deceased s children who are under age 16 or disabled.
  • Divorced wives and husbands age 60 or older, if married to the deceased 10 years or more.
  • Widows, Widowers, Divorced wives and divorced husbands age 50 or older, if they are disabled.
  • Children up to age 18.
  • Children age 18-19, if the attend elementary or high school full time.
  • Children over age 18, if they become disabled before age 22.
  • The deceased worker s parents age 62 or older,if they were being supported by the worker.
A special one-time payment

In addition to the monthly benefits for family members, a one-time payment of $255 can be paid to a spouse who was living with the worker at the time of death. If there is none, it can be paid to:

  • A spouse who is eligible for benefits.
  • A child or children eligible for benefits.
  • This payment cannot be made if there is no eligible spouse or child.
How to apply for benefits

You can apply for benefits by telephone or by going to any Social Security office.

You may need some of the documents shown on the list below. But don t delay your application because you don t have all the information. If you don t have a document you need, Social Security can help you get it.

Information Needed
  • Your Social Security number and the deceased worker s Social Security number.
  • A death certificate. (Generally, the funeral director provides a statement that can be used for this purpose.
  • Proof of the deceased worker s earnings for last year (W-2 forms or self-employment tax return).
  • Your birth certificate.
  • A marriage certificate, if you are applying for benefits as a widow, widower, divorced wife, or divorced husband.
  • A divorce decree, if you are applying for benefits as a divorced wife or husband.
  • Children s birth certificates and Social Security numbers, if applying for children s benefits.
  • Your checking or savings account information, if you want direct deposit of your benefits.
  • You will need to submit original documents or copies certified by the issuing office.

You can mail or bring them to the office. Social Security will make photocopies and return your documents.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

If you are 65 or older, disabled, or blind, ask the Social Security representative about supplemental security Income (SSI) checks for people with limited income and resources. If you receive SSI, you may also qualify for Medicaid, food stamps, and other social services.

For More Information
Social Security Online
Social Security Site

For more information, write or visit any Social Security office, or phone the toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. You can speak to a representative weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

A reminder

If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, any checks which arrive after death will need to be returned to the Social Security office. If Social Security checks were being directly deposited into a bank account, the bank needs to be notified of the death, too.

Grieving

When A Loved One Dies
Preparing yourself for the inevitable

Grief is a normal response to any loss and affects the grieving person physically, emotionally, and spiritually often causing the person to think and act in ways different from their previous "normal" behavior.

You may have heard something to the effect of "just give it time and you will eventually feel better. Time is necessary to the healing process, but it is only one aspect of effective grieving.

In addition to taking time, grief requires intentional "work" by the bereaved in order to achieve a healthy outcome from the process. Similar to someone taking action to seek medical help to set a broken leg so that it might heal properly, the bereaved must take action to move through grief.

The intentional "work" of grief can be summarized in five basic tasks, which involve specific behaviors (things to do to help yourself work through grief). These five basic tasks facing a bereaved person are:

  • Recognize and accept that your loved one has died and is unable to return.
  • Although this task may sound obvious, many bereaved have a difficult time accepting the reality of a loved one’s death and facing the harsh fact that the person is not coming back.
  • Experience all the emotions associated with the death of your loved one.
  • Rather than attempting to suppress emotions only to have them come to expression later in more detrimental ways, a bereaved person achieves a healthier state more quickly by giving full expression to all the emotions they are experiencing (as long as they do not express themselves in destructive ways).
  • Identify, summarize, and find a place to store memories of the deceased person which will honor the memories of that person and make room for the bereaved to eventually move on to a new volume in their life. Resolution of grief never means forgetting the loved one. Memories are precious possessions, but appropriate memories do not control our emotions on a daily basis. We are free to live life fully again in the present and remember the deceased when we chose to.
  • Identify who you are now, independent of your prior connection with the deceased person. Basically we are all individuals – that is how we were born and that is how we die. In order to truly live a full and complete life, especially following the death of a loved one, we must once again (re)discover who we are individually and independent of the relationship we had with the deceased.
  • Reinvest in life as an individual without the deceased person. We must learn to accept that all of life is marked by change. Each day calls for a new form of investment. A bereaved person has experienced a deep trauma, but eventually this can be seen as an opportunity to "begin again" in a new and fresh way.

The grieving process usually takes at least one year in order to experience all the "firsts". The grief process may take as long as two or three years, but the intensity of the emotional pain should decrease during that period of time. It is important not to make important decisions too quickly because you will feel differently about things as you move through the grief process.

A sudden or unexpected death may cause significant initial shock or numbness and may also lengthen the grieving process.

Knowing in some way that a person is going to die (anticipating the death) does not reduce the intensity of the grief or pain. Anticipating the death may help motivate you to engage in some planning (e.g., concerning financial, funeral, and relationships matters) which might make the grief process less cumbersome.

The grieving process is also affected by many other factors, including the personalities of the people involved, the type of relationship someone had with the deceased, and the present circumstances of one s life (e.g., age, family structures, finances, health, employment, children, etc.).

A person can "resolve" their grief and move again into a happy, healthy and satisfying life. "Resolution" means that the emotional pain of the death no longer controls your day to day activities and that you are once again able to develop a perspective on your life which is positive and future-oriented. Moments may arise which trigger a temporary emotional response to the death in the same way that emotions are associated with other past events in our lives, but resolved grief means that you have been able to (re)construct a new "normal" lifestyle which is fulfilling and purposeful without holding on to the deceased person.

©Susan J. Zonnebelt-Smeenge and Robert C. DeVries, 2000. Authors of Getting to the Other Side of Grief: Overcoming the Loss of a Spouse (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Company, 1998) ISBN: 0-8010-5821-X

Florists

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Scripture Readings

OT-1 - A reading from the book of Job

Job answered and said:
Oh, would that my words were written down!
Would that they were inscribed in a record:
That with an iron chisel and with lead
they were cut in the rock forever!
But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives,
and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;
Whom I myself shall see:
my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him,
And from my flesh I shall see God;
my inmost being is consumed with longing.
The Word of the Lord.

OT-2,Long - A reading from the book of Wisdom

The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
The Word of the Lord.

OT-2,Short - A reading from the book of Wisdom

The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
The Word of the Lord.

OT-3 - A reading from the book of Wisdom

The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest.
For the age that is honorable
comes not with the passing of time,
nor can it be measured in terms of years.
Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men,
and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age.
He who pleased God was loved;
he who lived among sinners was transported--
Snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind
or deceit beguile his soul;
For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right
and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind.
Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the
fullness of a long career;
for his soul was pleasing to the Lord,
therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness.
But the people saw and did not understand,
nor did they take this into account.
The Word of the Lord.

OT-4 - A reading from the book of Isaiah

On this mountain the Lord of hosts
will provide for all peoples.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
The web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever.
The Lord God will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken.
On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the Lord for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
The Word of the Lord.

OT-5 - A reading from the book of Lamentations

My soul is deprived of peace,
I have forgotten what happiness is,
I tell myself my future is lost,
all that I hoped for from the Lord.
The thought of my homeless poverty
is wormwood and gall;
Remembering it over and over
leaves my soul downcast within me.
But I will call this to mind,
as my reason to have hope:
The favors of the Lord are not exhausted,
his mercies are not spent;
They are renewed each morning,
so great is his faithfulness.
My portion is the Lord, says my soul;
therefore will I hope in him.
Good is the Lord to one who waits for him,
to the soul that seeks him;
It is good to hope in silence
for the saving help of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord.

OT-6 - A reading from the book of the prophet Daniel

[I, Daniel, mourned and I heard this word of the Lord:]
“At that time there shall arise
Michael, the great prince,
guardian of your people;
It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress
since nations began until that time.
At that time your people shall excape,
everyone who is found written in the book.
Many of those who sleep
in the dust of the earth shall awake;
Some shall live forever,
others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.
But the wise shall shine brightly
like the splendor of the firmament,
And those who lead the many to justice
shall be like the stars forever,”
The Word of the Lord.

OT-7 - A reading from the second book of Maccabees

Judas [the ruler of Israel] then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice.
In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought.
Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.
The Word of the Lord.

OT-8 - A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes

There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What advantage has the worker from his toil? I have considered the task which God has appointed for men to be busied about. He has made everything appropriate to its time, and has put the timeless into their hearts, without men’s ever discovering, from the beginning to end, the work which God had done.
The Word of the Lord.

New Testament Readings

NT-1,Long - A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Peter proceeded to address the people in these words:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who are and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge for he living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Word of the Lord.

NT-1,Short - A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Peter proceeded to address the people in these words:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Word of the Lord.

NT-2 - A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans

Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-3 - A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans

If, by the transgression of one person, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through on righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous. The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin is increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-4,Long - A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans:

Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-4,Short - A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans

Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-5 - A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans

Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, Abba, “Father!” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed to us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-6 - A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, of famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-7 - A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans

None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written.

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-8,Long - A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians

Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet.” But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the One who subjected everything to him. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the One who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-8,Short - A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians

Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-9 - A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when that which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptilibity and that which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-10 - A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians

We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.

For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-11 - A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians

We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-12 - A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians

Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-13 - A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers (and sisters), about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-14 - A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Timothy

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy:
If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him.
But is we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-15 - A reading from the first letter of John

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-16 - A reading from the first letter of John

We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers (and sisters). Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers (and sisters).
The Word of the Lord.

NT-17 - A reading from the book of Revelation

I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” said the Spirit, “let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them.”
The Word of the Lord.

NT-18 - A reading from the book of Revelation

I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them. I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. Then another scroll was opened, the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, by what was written in the scrolls. The sea gave up its dead; then Death and Hades gave up their dead. All the dead were judged according to their deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.) Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
The Word of the Lord.

NT-19 - A reading from the book of Revelation

I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.”
The Word of the Lord.

NT-20 - A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and Sisters:
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
But I shall show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues
but do not have love,
I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;
if I have all faith so as to move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give away everything I own,
and if I hand my body over so that I may boast
but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous,
It is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

The Word of the Lord.

NT - 21 - A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy

I want you to keep your head no matter what happens. Don’t give up when times are hard. Work to spread the good news. Do everything God has given you to do.
I am already being poured out like a libation. The time has come for me to leave.
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is a crown waiting for me. It is given to those who are right with God. The Lord, who judges fairly, will give it to me on the day he returns. He will not give it only to me. He will also give it to all those who are longing for him to return.
The Word of the Lord.

Scripture Readings - Portuguese

OT-1 Job 19:1, 23-27
Leitura do Livro de Job

Job tomou a palavra e disse:
«Quem dera que as minhas palavras fossem escritas num livro,
ou gravadas em bronze com estilete de ferro,
ou esculpidas em pedra para sempre!
Eu sei que o meu Redentor está vivo
e no último dia Se levantará sobre a terra.
Revestido da minha pele, estarei de pé;
na minha carne verei a Deus.
Eu próprio O verei,
meus olhos O hão-de contemplar».

Palavra do Senhor.

OT-2,Long Wisdom 3: 1-9
Leitura do Livro da Sabedoria

As almas dos justos estão na mão de Deus,
e nenhum tormento os atingirá.
Aos olhos dos insensatos parecem ter morrido;
a sua saída deste mundo foi considerada uma desgraça,
e a sua partida do meio de nós um aniquilamento.
Mas eles estão em paz.
Aos olhos dos homens eles sofreram um castigo,
mas a sua esperança estava cheia de imortalidade.
Depois de leve pena, terão grandes benefícios,
porque Deus os pôs à prova e os achou dignos de Si.
Experimentou-os como ouro no crisol
e aceitou-os como sacrifício de holocausto.
No tempo da sua recompensa hão-de resplandecer,
correndo como centelhas através da palha.
Hão-de governar as nações e dominar os povos,
e o Senhor reinará sobre eles eternamente.
Os que n’Ele confiam compreenderão a verdade
e os que Lhe são fiéis permanecerão com Ele no amor,
pois a graça e a misericórdia são para os seus santos
e a sua vinda será benéfica para os seus eleitos.

Palavra do Senhor.

OT-2,Short Wisdom 3: 1-6, 9
Leitura do Livro da Sabedoria

As almas dos justos estão na mão de Deus,
e nenhum tormento os atingirá.
Aos olhos dos insensatos parecem ter morrido;
a sua saída deste mundo foi considerada uma desgraça,
e a sua partida do meio de nós um aniquilamento.
Mas eles estão em paz.
Aos olhos dos homens eles sofreram um castigo,
mas a sua esperança estava cheia de imortalidade.
Depois de leve pena, terão grandes benefícios,
porque Deus os pôs à prova e os achou dignos de Si.
Experimentou-os como ouro no crisol
e aceitou-os como sacrifício de holocausto.
Os que n’Ele confiam compreenderão a verdade
e os que Lhe são fiéis permanecerão com Ele no amor,
pois a graça e a misericórdia são para os seus santos
e a sua vinda será benéfica para os seus eleitos.

Palavra do Senhor.

OT-3 Wisdom 4: 7-15
Leitura do Livro da Sabedoria

O justo, ainda que morra prematuramente, terá repouso.
A velhice respeitável não consiste numa vida longa,
nem se mede pelo número dos anos.
Para o homem, o valor dos cabelos brancos está na prudência,
e a verdadeira longevidade é a vida sem mancha.
O justo agradou a Deus e foi por Ele amado;
e, porque vivia no meio dos pecadores,
Deus levou-o deste mundo.
Arrebatou-o, para que a malícia não lhe mudasse os sentimentos
e a astúcia não lhe seduzisse a alma.
Porque a fascinação do mal obscurece o bem,
e a vertigem das paixões corrompe um espírito inocente.
Chegado à perfeição em pouco tempo,
o justo completou uma longa carreira.
A sua alma era agradável ao Senhor;
por isso Ele Se apressou a tirá-lo do meio da iniquidade.
Os povos viram, mas não compreenderam,
nem reflectiram neste facto:
a graça e a misericórdia de Deus são para os seus eleitos,
a protecção de Deus é para os seus

Palavra do Senhor.

OT-4 Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9
Leitura do Livro de Isaías

Sobre este monte,
o Senhor do Universo há-de preparar para todos os povos,
um banquete de manjares suculentos.
Sobre este monte,
há-de tirar o véu que cobria todos os povos, o pano que envolvia todas as nações;

Ele destruirá a morte para sempre.
O Senhor Deus enxugará as lágrimas de todas as faces
e fará desaparecer da terra inteira
o opróbrio que pesa sobre o seu povo.
Porque o Senhor falou.
Dir-se-á naquele dia:
«Eis o nosso Deus, de quem esperávamos a salvação;
é o Senhor, em quem pusemos a nossa confiança.
Alegremo-nos e exultemos,
porque nos salvou».

Palavra do Senhor.

OT-5 Lamentations 3:17-26
Leitura do Livro das Lamentações

A minha alma não conhece a paz,
não sei o que seja a felicidade.
Eu disse: «Desapareceu a minha força
e a esperança que me vinha do Senhor».
A recordação da minha miséria e da minha vida errante
é absinto e veneno.
A pensar nisto constantemente,
a minha alma desfalece dentro de mim.
Eis o que vou recordar em meu coração
para reavivar a esperança:
A misericórdia do Senhor não tem fim,
não tem limites a sua compaixão,
mas renova-se todas as manhãs;
é grande a sua fidelidade.
«O Senhor é a minha herança» — diz a minha alma;
por isso, eu espero n’Ele.
O Senhor é bom para quem n’Ele confia,
para a alma que O procura.
É bom esperar em silêncio a salvação do Senhor.

Palavra do Senhor.

OT-6 Daniel 12:1-3
Leitura da Profecia de Daniel

Naquele tempo, surgirá Miguel, o grande chefe dos Anjos,
que protege os filhos do teu povo.
Será um tempo de angústia,
como não terá havido até então, desde que existem nações.
Mas, nesse tempo, virá a salvação para o teu povo,
para aqueles que estiverem inscritos no livro de Deus.
Muitos dos que dormem no pó da terra acordarão,
uns para a vida eterna,
outros para a vergonha e o horror eterno.
Os sábios resplandecerão como a luz do firmamento,
e os que tiverem ensinado a muitos o caminho da justiça
brilharão como estrelas por toda a eternidade.

Palavra do Senhor.

OT-7 Maccabees 12:43-46
Leitura do Segundo Livro dos Macabeus

Naqueles dias,
Judas Macabeu fez uma colecta entre os seus homens
de cerca de duas mil dracmas de prata
e enviou-as a Jerusalém,
para que se oferecesse um sacrifício de expiação
pelos pecados dos que tinham morrido,
praticando assim uma acção muito digna e nobre,
inspirada na esperança da ressurreição.
Porque, se ele não esperasse
que os que tinham morrido haviam de ressuscitar,
teria sido em vão e supérfluo orar pelos mortos.
Além disso, pensava na magnífica recompensa
que está reservada àqueles que morrem piedosamente.
Era um santo e piedoso pensamento.
Por isso mandou oferecer
um sacrifício de expiação pelos mortos,
para que fossem libertos do seu pecado.

Palavra do Senhor.

New Testament
NT-1,Long Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43
Leitura dos Actos dos Apóstolos

Naqueles dias,
Pedro tomou a palavra e disse:
«Na verdade,
eu reconheço que Deus não faz acepção de pessoas,
mas, em qualquer nação,
aquele que O teme e pratica a justiça é-Lhe agradável.
Ele enviou a sua palavra aos filhos de Israel,
anunciando a paz por Jesus Cristo, que é o Senhor de todos.
Vós sabeis o que sucedeu em toda a Judeia,
a começar pela Galileia,
depois do baptismo que João pregou:
Deus ungiu com a força do Espírito Santo a Jesus de Nazaré,
que passou fazendo o bem
e curando todos os que eram oprimidos pelo Demónio,
porque Deus estava com Ele.
Nós somos testemunhas de tudo o que Ele fez
no país dos judeus e em Jerusalém;
e eles mataram-n’O, suspendendo-O na cruz.
Deus ressuscitou-O ao terceiro dia
e permitiu-Lhe manifestar-Se, não a todo o povo,
mas às testemunhas de antemão designadas por Deus,
a nós que comemos e bebemos com Ele,
depois de ter ressuscitado dos mortos.
Jesus mandou-nos pregar ao povo
e testemunhar que Ele foi constituído por Deus
juiz dos vivos e dos mortos.
É d’Ele que todos os Profetas dão o seguinte testemunho:
quem acredita n’Ele
recebe pelo seu nome a remissão dos pecados».

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-1,Short Acts of the Apostles 10:34-36, 42-43
Leitura dos Actos dos Apóstolos

Naqueles dias,
Pedro tomou a palavra e disse:
«Na verdade,
eu reconheço que Deus não faz acepção de pessoas,
mas, em qualquer nação,
aquele que O teme e pratica a justiça é-Lhe agradável.
Ele enviou a sua palavra aos filhos de Israel,
anunciando a paz por Jesus Cristo, que é o Senhor de todos.
Jesus mandou-nos pregar ao povo
e testemunhar que Ele foi constituído por Deus
juiz dos vivos e dos mortos.
É d’Ele que todos os Profetas dão o seguinte testemunho:
quem acredita n’Ele
recebe pelo seu nome a remissão dos pecados».
Palavra do Senhor.

NT-2 Paul to the Romans 5:5-11
Leitura da Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Romanos

Irmãos:
A esperança não engana,
porque o amor de Deus foi derramado em nossos corações
pelo Espírito Santo que nos foi dado.
Quando ainda éramos fracos,
Cristo morreu pelos ímpios no tempo determinado.
Dificilmente alguém morre por um justo;
por um homem bom,
talvez alguém tivesse a coragem de morrer.
Mas Deus prova assim o seu amor para connosco:
Cristo morreu por nós, quando éramos ainda pecadores.
E agora, que fomos justificados pelo seu Sangue,
com muito maior razão
seremos por Ele salvos da ira divina.
Se, na verdade, quando éramos inimigos,
fomos reconciliados com Deus pela morte de seu Filho,
com muito mais razão, depois de reconciliados,
seremos salvos pela sua vida.
Mais ainda: também nos gloriamos em Deus,
por Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo,
por quem alcançámos agora a reconciliação.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-3 Paul to the Romans 5:17-21
Leitura da Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Romanos

Irmãos:
Se a morte reinou pelo pecado de um só homem,
com muito mais razão, aqueles que recebem com abundância
a graça e o dom da justiça
reinarão na vida por meio de um só, Jesus Cristo.
Porque assim como pelo pecado de um só
veio para todos os homens a condenação,
assim também, pela obra de justiça de um só,
virá para todos a justificação que dá a vida.
De facto, como pela desobediência de um só homem
todos se tornaram pecadores,
assim também, pela obediência de um só,
todos se tornarão justos.
Veio a Lei e multiplicaram-se as faltas;
Mas onde abundou o pecado superabundou a graça,
para que, assim como o pecado reinou pela morte,
também a graça reine pela justiça,
para nos dar a vida eterna,
por Jesus Cristo, nosso Senhor.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-4,Long Paul to the Romans 6:3-9
Leitura da Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Romanos

Irmãos:
Todos nós que fomos baptizados em Jesus Cristo,
fomos baptizados na sua morte.
Fomos sepultados com Ele pelo Baptismo na sua morte,
para que, assim como Cristo ressuscitou dos mortos
pela glória do Pai,
também nós vivamos uma vida nova.
Se, na verdade, estamos totalmente unidos a Cristo
pela semelhança da sua morte,
também o estaremos pela semelhança da sua ressurreição.
Bem sabemos que o nosso homem velho
foi crucificado com Cristo,
para que fosse destruído o corpo do pecado
e não mais fôssemos escravos dele.
Quem morreu está livre do pecado.
Se morremos com Cristo,
acreditamos que também com Ele viveremos,
sabendo que, uma vez ressuscitado dos mortos,
Cristo já não pode morrer;
a morte já não tem domínio sobre Ele.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-4,Short Paul to the Romans 6:3-4, 8-9
Leitura da Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Romanos

Irmãos:
Todos nós que fomos baptizados em Jesus Cristo,
fomos baptizados na sua morte.
Fomos sepultados com Ele pelo Baptismo na sua morte,
para que, assim como Cristo ressuscitou dos mortos
pela glória do Pai,
também nós vivamos uma vida nova.
Se morremos com Cristo,
acreditamos que também com Ele viveremos,
sabendo que, uma vez ressuscitado dos mortos,
Cristo já não pode morrer;
a morte já não tem domínio sobre Ele.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-5 Paul to the Romans 8:14-23
Leitura da Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Romanos

Irmãos:
Todos aqueles que são movidos pelo Espírito de Deus
são filhos de Deus.
Vós não recebestes um espírito de escravidão
para recair no temor,
mas o Espírito de adopção filial,
pelo qual exclamamos: «Aba. Pai!».
O próprio Espírito Santo dá testemunho,
em união com o nosso espírito,
de que somos filhos de Deus.
Se somos filhos, também somos herdeiros,
herdeiros de Deus e herdeiros com Cristo;
se sofrermos com Ele,
também com Ele seremos glorificados.
Eu penso que os sofrimentos do tempo presente
não têm comparação com a glória
que se há-de manifestar em nós.
Na verdade, as criaturas esperam ansiosamente
a revelação dos filhos de Deus.
Elas estão sujeitas à vã situação do mundo,
não por sua vontade,
mas por vontade d’Aquele que as submeteu,
com a esperança de que as mesmas criaturas
sejam também libertadas da corrupção que escraviza,
para receberem a gloriosa liberdade dos filhos de Deus.
Sabemos que toda a criatura geme ainda agora
e sofre as dores da maternidade.
E não só ela, mas também nós
que possuímos as primícias do Espírito,
gememos interiormente,
esperando a adopção filial e a libertação do nosso corpo.
Palavra do Senhor.

NT-6 Paul to the Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39
Leitura da Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Romanos

Irmãos:
Se Deus está por nós, quem estará contra nós?
Deus, que não poupou seu próprio Filho,
mas O entregou à morte por todos nós,
como não havia de nos dar, com Ele, todas as coisas?
Quem acusará os eleitos de Deus, se Deus os justifica?
E quem os condenará,
se Cristo Jesus morreu e, mais ainda, ressuscitou,
está à direita de Deus e intercede por nós?
Quem poderá separar-nos do amor de Cristo?
A tribulação, a angústia, a perseguição,
a fome, a nudez, o perigo ou a espada?
Mas em tudo isto somos vencedores,
graças Àquele que nos amou.
Na verdade, eu estou certo de que nem a morte nem a vida,
nem os Anjos nem os Principados,
nem o presente nem o futuro,
nem as Potestades, nem a altura nem a profundidade
nem qualquer outra criatura
poderá separar-nos do amor de Deus,
que se manifestou em Cristo Jesus, nosso Senhor.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-7 Paul to the Romans 14:7-12
Leitura da Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Romanos

Irmãos:
Nenhum de nós vive para si mesmo
e nenhum de nós morre para si mesmo.
Se vivemos, vivemos para o Senhor;
E se morremos, morremos para o Senhor.
Portanto, quer vivamos quer morramos,
pertencemos ao Senhor.
Na verdade, Cristo morreu e ressuscitou
para ser o Senhor dos mortos e dos vivos.
Todos havemos de comparecer diante do tribunal de Deus,
como está escrito:
«Por minha vida, diz o Senhor,
todo o joelho se dobrará diante de Mim
e toda a língua dará glória a Deus».
Portanto, cada um de nós dará contas de si mesmo a Deus.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-8,Long Paul to the Corinthians 15: 20-28
Leitura da Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Romanos

Irmãos:
Nenhum de nós vive para si mesmo
e nenhum de nós morre para si mesmo.
Se vivemos, vivemos para o Senhor;
E se morremos, morremos para o Senhor.
Portanto, quer vivamos quer morramos,
pertencemos ao Senhor.
Na verdade, Cristo morreu e ressuscitou
para ser o Senhor dos mortos e dos vivos.
Todos havemos de comparecer diante do tribunal de Deus,
como está escrito:
«Por minha vida, diz o Senhor,
todo o joelho se dobrará diante de Mim
e toda a língua dará glória a Deus».
Portanto, cada um de nós dará contas de si mesmo a Deus.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-8,Short Paul to the Corinthians 15: 20-23
Leitura da Primeira Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Coríntios

Irmãos:
Cristo ressuscitou dos mortos,
como primícias dos que morreram.
Uma vez que a morte veio por um homem,
também por um homem veio a ressurreição dos mortos;
porque, do mesmo modo que em Adão todos morreram,
assim também em Cristo serão todos restituídos à vida.
Cada qual, porém, na sua ordem:
primeiro, Cristo, como primícias;
a seguir, os que pertencem a Cristo, por ocasião da sua vinda.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-9 Paul to the Corinthians 15:51-57
Leitura da Primeira Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Coríntios

Irmãos:
Vou dar-vos a conhecer um mistério:
nem todos morreremos,
mas todos seremos transformados.
Num momento, num abrir e fechar de olhos,
ao som da trombeta final
– porque a trombeta soará –,
os mortos ressuscitarão incorruptíveis,
e nós seremos transformados.
É necessário que este nosso corpo corruptível
se torne incorruptível
e que este nosso corpo mortal se torne imortal.
Quando este nosso corpo corruptível se tornar incorruptível
e este nosso corpo mortal se tornar imortal,
então se realizará a palavra da Escritura:
«A morte foi absorvida na vitória.
Ó morte, onde está a tua vitória?
Ó morte, onde está o teu aguilhão?».
O aguilhão da morte é o pecado,
e a força do pecado é a Lei.
Mas dêmos graças a Deus,
que nos dá a vitória por Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-10 Paul to the Corinthians 4:14-5:1
Leitura da Segunda Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Coríntios

Como sabemos, irmãos,
Aquele que ressuscitou o Senhor Jesus
também nos há-de ressuscitar com Jesus
e nos levará convosco para junto d’Ele.
Tudo é por vossa causa,
para que uma graça mais abundante
multiplique as acções de graças de um maior número de cristãos,
para glória de Deus.
Por isso não desanimamos.
Ainda que em nós o homem exterior se vá arruinando,
o homem interior vai-se renovando de dia para dia.
Porque a ligeira aflição dum momento
prepara-nos, para além de toda e qualquer medida,
um peso eterno de glória.
Não olhamos para as coisas visíveis,
olhamos para as invisíveis;
as coisas visíveis são passageiras,
ao passo que as invisíveis são eternas.
Bem sabemos
que, se esta tenda, que é a nossa morada terrestre, for desfeita,
recebemos nos Céus uma habitação eterna,
que é obra de Deus
e não é feita pela mão dos homens.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-11 second letter of Paul to the Corinthians 5:1-10
Leitura da Segunda Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Coríntios

Irmãos:
Nós sabemos
que, se esta tenda, que é a nossa morada terrestre, for desfeita,
recebemos nos Céus uma habitação eterna,
que é obra de Deus e não é feita pela mão dos homens.
Por isso estamos sempre cheios de confiança,
sabendo que, enquanto habitarmos neste corpo,
vivemos como exilados, longe do Senhor,
pois caminhamos à luz da fé e não da visão clara.
E com esta confiança preferíamos exilar-nos do corpo,
para irmos habitar junto do Senhor.
Por isso nos empenhamos em ser-Lhe agradáveis,
quer continuemos a habitar no corpo,
quer tenhamos de sair dele.
Todos nós devemos comparecer perante o tribunal de Cristo,
para que receba cada qual o que tiver merecido
enquanto esteve no corpo,
quer o bem quer o mal.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-12 Paul to the Philippians 3:20-21
Leitura da Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Filipenses

Irmãos:
A nossa pátria está nos Céus,
donde esperamos, como Salvador, o Senhor Jesus Cristo,
que transformará o nosso corpo miserável,
para o tornar semelhante ao seu corpo glorioso,
pelo poder que Ele tem
de sujeitar a Si todo o universo.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-13 first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians  4:13-18
Leitura da Primeira Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo aos Tessalonicenses

Não queremos, irmãos, deixar-vos na ignorância
a respeito dos defuntos,
para não vos contristardes como os outros,
que não têm esperança.
Se acreditamos que Jesus morreu e ressuscitou,
do mesmo modo, Deus levará com Jesus
os que em Jesus tiverem morrido.
Eis o que temos para vos dizer,
segundo a palavra do Senhor:
Nós, os vivos,
os que ficarmos para a vinda do Senhor,
não precederemos os que tiverem morrido.
Ao sinal dado, à voz do Arcanjo e ao som da trombeta divina,
o próprio Senhor descerá do Céu,
e os mortos em Cristo ressuscitarão primeiro.
Em seguida, nós, os vivos, os que tivermos ficado,
seremos arrebatados juntamente com eles sobre as nuvens,
para irmos ao encontro do Senhor nos ares,
e assim estaremos sempre com o Senhor.
Consolai-vos uns aos outros com estas palavras.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-14 second letter of Paul to Timothy 2:8-13
Leitura da Segunda Epístola do apóstolo São Paulo a Timóteo

Caríssimo:
Lembra-te que Jesus Cristo, descendente de David,
ressuscitou dos mortos, segundo o meu Evangelho,
pelo qual eu sofro,
até ao ponto de estar preso a estas cadeias como um malfeitor.
Mas a palavra de Deus não está encadeada.
Por isso, tudo suporto por causa dos eleitos,
para que obtenham a salvação que está em Cristo Jesus,
com a glória eterna.
É digna de fé esta palavra:
Se morremos com Cristo, também com Ele viveremos;
se sofremos com Cristo, também com Ele reinaremos;
se O negarmos, também Ele nos negará;
se Lhe formos infiéis, Ele permanecerá fiel,
porque não pode negar-Se a Si mesmo.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-15 first letter of John 3:1-2
Leitura da Primeira Epístola de São João

Caríssimos:
Vede que admirável amor o Pai nos consagrou
em nos chamarmos filhos de Deus.
E somo-lo de facto.
Se o mundo não nos conhece,
é porque não O conheceu a Ele.
Caríssimos, agora somos filhos de Deus
e ainda não se manifestou o que havemos de ser.
Mas sabemos que, na altura em que se manifestar,
seremos semelhantes a Deus,
porque O veremos tal como Ele é.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-16 first letter of John 3:14-16
Leitura da Primeira Epístola de São João

Caríssimos:
Nós sabemos que passámos da morte para a vida,
porque amamos os nossos irmãos.
Quem não ama permanece na morte.
Todo aquele que odeia seu irmão é homicida,
e vós sabeis que nenhum homicida
tem a vida eterna permanecendo em si.
Nisto conhecemos o amor:
Ele deu a sua vida por nós,
e nós devemos também dar a vida pelos nossos irmãos.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-17 Revelation 14:13
Leitura do Livro do Apocalipse

Eu, João, ouvi uma voz vinda do Céu, que me dizia:
«Felizes os que morreram no Senhor.
Sim – diz o Espírito de Deus –
desde agora, descansem dos seus trabalhos,
porque as suas obras os acompanham».

Palavra do Senhor

NT-18 Revelation 22:11-21:1
Leitura do Livro do Apocalipse

Eu, João, vi um grande trono branco
e Aquele que estava nele sentado.
Da sua presença fugiram a terra e o céu,
sem deixarem vestígios.
Vi também os mortos, grandes e pequenos,
de pé diante do trono.
E abriram-se os livros.
Abriu-se também um livro, que era o livro da vida.
Os mortos foram julgados segundo as suas obras,
conforme o que estava escrito nos livros.
O mar restituiu os mortos que nele estavam,
a morte e a sua morada devolveram os mortos que tinham;
e cada um foi julgado segundo as suas obras.
A morte e a sua morada foram lançadas no lago de fogo.
Esta é a segunda morte: o lago de fogo.
E quem não estava escrito no livro da vida
foi lançado no lago de fogo.
Vi então um novo céu e uma nova terra,
porque o primeiro céu e a primeira terra tinham desaparecido
e o mar já não existia.
E vi a cidade santa, a nova Jerusalém,
que descia do Céu, da presença de Deus,
bela como noiva adornada para o seu esposo.

Palavra do Senhor.

NT-19 Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7
Leitura do Livro do Apocalipse

Eu, João, vi um novo céu e uma nova terra,
porque o primeiro céu e a primeira terra tinham desaparecido
e o mar já não existia.
Vi depois a cidade santa, a nova Jerusalém,
que descia do Céu, da presença de Deus,
bela como noiva adornada para o seu esposo.
Do trono ouvi uma voz forte que dizia:
«Eis a morada de Deus com os homens.
Deus habitará com os homens:
eles serão o seu povo,
e o próprio Deus, no meio deles, será o seu Deus.
Ele enxugará todas as lágrimas dos seus olhos;
nunca mais haverá morte nem luto, nem gemidos nem dor,
porque desapareceu o mundo antigo».
Disse então Aquele que estava sentado no trono:
«Vou renovar todas as coisas.
Eu sou o Alfa e o Ómega, o Princípio e o Fim.
Àquele que tem sede darei a beber gratuitamente
da fonte da água viva.
O vencedor receberá esta herança:
Eu serei seu Deus, e ele será meu filho».

Palavra do Senhor.

Music Suggestions

Music suggestions for a Roman Catholic Funeral Mass
The selections for entrance hymns, offertory hymns and recessional hymns are interchangeable
Entrance Hymns
  • Be Not Afraid
  • Here I am, Lord
  • Amazing Grace
  • Faith Of Our Fathers
  • I Heard The Voice O Jesus Say
  • Lift High The Cross
  • Morning Has Broken
Offertory Hymns
  • Ave Maria
  • Precious Lord, Take My Hand
  • Gentle Women
  • Softly and Tenderly
Communion Hymns
  • Be Not Afraid
  • Here I Am, Lord
  • Let There Be Peace On Earth
  • Prayer of St. Francis
  • Panis Angelicus
  • I Am the Bread of Life
  • Eat This Bread
  • One Bread, One Body
  • You Are Mine
  • Gift of Finest Wheat
  • You Are Near
  • O Lord I Am Not Worthy
  • Unless a Grain of Wheat
Recessional Hymns
  • On Eagle's Wings
  • How Great Thou Art
  • Amazing Grace
  • All I Ask of You
  • Let There Be Peace on Earth
  • Soon and Very Soon
  • I Know That My Redeemer
  • Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory

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