FINAL COMMENDATION INVITATION TO PRAYER C:
Before we go our separate ways, let us take our leave of our sister Mary Rose. May our farewell express our affection for her; may it ease our sadness and strengthen our hope. One day we shall joyfully greet her again when the love of Christ, which conquers all things, destroys even death itself.
SONG OF FAREWELL Sprinkling and incensing of the coffin.
C: Saints of God, come to her aid!
Hasten to meet her angels of the Lord! A: Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.
C: May Christ, who called you, take you to himself; may angels lead you to the bosom of Abraham. A: Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.
C: Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. A: Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.
PRAYER OF COMMENDATION
C: Into your hands, Father of mercies, we commend our sister Mary Rose in the sure and certain hope that, together with all who have died in Christ, she will rise with Him on the last day. We give you thanks for the blessings which you have bestowed upon Mary Rose in this life: they are signs to us of your goodness and of our fellowship with the saints in Christ. Merciful Lord, turn toward us and listen to our prayers: open the gates of paradise to your servant and help us who remain to comfort one another with assurances of faith, until we all meet in Christ and are with you and with our sister for ever.
A: Amen.