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Prayers at (or immediately after) the Time of Death

Pastoral Note

Those called to lead prayers at the time of death will hope to make every effort to prepare the dying person. If possible and appropriate, Holy Communion may be shared with friends and family as part of this preparation. A short order may be used immediately after the opening sentences. Normally, this should follow the forms authorized by the appropriate Christian tradition.

Friends and members of the family may want to stay a while after these prayers, and can be encouraged to do so if this is their wish. When death has not occurred at home, the minister may speak to nurses or other care staff about arrangements for privacy and quiet. Chapels or quiet rooms are often available.

Words and actions which are appropriate before death will differ from what is appropriate at the time of death or in the period of grief after death has occurred.

As one example of this, a prayer or other proclamation that releases or surrenders a person to their maker and redeemer is often a help both to the dying and to those who watch at their side.

Shape of the Rite

 Opening Scriptures

 [Holy Communion]

 Simeon’s Song – Nunc Dimittis

 The Lord’s Prayer

 Prayers of Offering and Farewell

 Blessing

Opening Scriptures

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has the human heart imagined those things which God has prepared for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 2.91

From the ends of the earth I call to you

when my heart faints:

O set me on the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 61.22

[Holy Communion]

Holy Communion may be offered at this point.

Simeon’s Song

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Nunc Dimittis3

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those

who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and for ever.

Amen.

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.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Prayers of Offering and Farewell

Any or all of the following prayers may be said. Or the minister may use other prayers which enable those present to entrust themselves to God’s mercy and keeping.

Loving God, giver of life,

all that we are and hold

have been on trust from you.

What you have given to us

we return to you.

When you bring us to judgement,

bless all that has been good,

put right and forgive all that is wrong.

Receive N into your eternal presence

where you are the light and joy of all your saints.

Make death the gateway to life,

and raise us to the fullness of salvation.

Give us grace to let go of those things

to which we must no longer cling;

and teach us in releasing each other

to know ourselves held by you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Go forth N (Christian soul) on your journey from this world,

in the love of God the Father who created you,

in the mercy of Jesus the Redeemer who suffered for you,

in the power of the Holy Spirit who keeps you in life eternal.

May you dwell this day in peace,

and rest in the presence of God.

Amen.

A New Zealand Prayer Book4

God of all ages,

of all that is – seen and unseen,

in our darkness let your light blaze

that in our loss we may yet be found.

Your Son promised

that he would lose nothing that you had given him.

You hold N, as you hold us,

in the love of our Saviour Jesus Christ

who draws us now to you

and in whose name we pray.

Amen.

Blessing

The Lord bless you and watch over you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you,

and be gracious to you;

the Lord look kindly upon you, and give you peace.

Celebrating Common Prayer5