Free example
Funeral Mass Booklet: Order of Service Example
An Irish Catholic funeral Mass follows a settled shape. Here it is set out page by page, so you can see what goes in a Mass booklet before you write a word of your own. Confirm the final order with your own parish.
Page by page
What goes in the booklet
Most funeral Mass booklets run to eight, twelve or sixteen pages in this order.
- Page 1
Front cover
The photograph, the full name, the dates of birth and death, and the parish and date of the funeral Mass. Families often add a single line of a verse under the photograph.
- Page 2
Introductory rites
The greeting at the door of the church, the sprinkling with holy water, the placing of the pall or the Christian symbols, and the opening hymn. The booklet usually prints the hymn words in full so the congregation can join in.
- Page 3
Symbols of life
Where a family brings up symbols — a photograph, a football jersey, a set of rosary beads, a garden trowel, a favourite book — the booklet lists each symbol with the short line that will be read as it is placed.
- Page 4
Liturgy of the Word
The first reading, the responsorial psalm, the second reading where there is one, the Gospel acclamation and the Gospel. Naming the readers, and printing the psalm response, is what keeps a congregation together.
- Page 5
Prayers of the faithful
Usually five or six petitions written by the family, each ending with the response the congregation gives. This is the page families spend the most time on, and the one people keep.
- Page 6
Liturgy of the Eucharist
The offertory procession and hymn, the Eucharistic prayer, the Our Father, the sign of peace, the communion hymn and a reflection or a piece of music after communion.
- Page 7
Final commendation and farewell
The prayers of commendation, the sprinkling and incensing, any words of thanks or a short eulogy from the family, and the recessional hymn as the coffin leaves the church.
- Page 8
Back cover
A closing verse or prayer, a line of thanks from the family to everyone who called and sent their sympathy, and often a second photograph.
The readings families choose most often
- First reading — often from Wisdom, Isaiah, Lamentations or the Book of Revelation.
- Responsorial psalm — Psalm 22 (The Lord is my shepherd) is the one most Irish families choose.
- Second reading — commonly from Romans, Corinthians or Thessalonians.
- Gospel — John 14 (Do not let your hearts be troubled) and the Beatitudes from Matthew 5 are both very often read.
Your parish will have its own list of approved readings and hymns, and the priest may suggest changes. Nothing here is a substitute for that conversation — it is simply so you know what you are being asked about.
Printing
We print the booklets and the cards
Mass booklets are quoted individually. Memorial cards, bookmarks, wallet cards and acknowledgement cards have set prices.
Send us your wording — or a rough version of it — and we will set the booklet, email a proof, and quote for the quantity you need. If the funeral is in the next day or two, ring us on 053 94 22900 first.
After the funeral, most families come back for folding memorial cards and acknowledgement cards. For the wording on those, see our memorial card wording guides and memorial verses.
More on the booklets themselves is on our Mass booklets page.
Questions about Mass booklets
- Who decides the order of service for a funeral Mass?
- The priest or the parish sacristan does, working with the family and usually with the funeral director. The outline on this page is the shape a Catholic funeral Mass in Ireland almost always follows, but always confirm the readings, hymns and any local custom with your own parish before the booklet is printed.
- How many Mass booklets should we order?
- One per household attending is the usual guide, plus a few dozen spare for people who could not travel. Families ordering memorial cards from us regularly order booklets in the same quantity band.
- How much do Mass booklets cost?
- Mass booklets are quoted job by job, because the price depends on the number of pages, the finish and the quantity. Send us the wording and the quantity and we will come back with a price — there is no charge for the quote.
- How quickly can a Mass booklet be printed?
- Funeral booklets are usually needed within a day or two, so ring us on 053 94 22900 rather than ordering online and we will tell you honestly what we can do for your date. Memorial cards, which are ordered after the funeral, are printed and posted within 2–3 business days.
- Can the booklet match the memorial card?
- Yes. We keep your artwork on file, so the photograph, border and verse used in the booklet can carry through to the memorial cards, bookmarks and acknowledgement cards afterwards.
Need a Mass booklet printed?
Our design team will guide you through photographs, wording and layout. Call us or send an email and we will look after the rest — anywhere in Ireland.
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