Prayers for the Departed

Prayers for those who have fallen asleep in the Lord.

Words with a dotted underline have a short explanation: hover, tap, or tab to them. For Thee, Thou and other older English, see Words of Prayer.

For one person, say “Thy servant N.” and “his” or “her” in place of “Thy servants” and “their.”

For the Departed

O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who hast trampled down death and overthrown the Devil, and given life to Thy world, do Thou, the same Lord, give rest to the souls of Thy departed servants in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose, where all sickness, sighing, and sorrow have fled away. Pardon every transgression which they have committed, whether by word or deed or thought. For Thou art a good God and lovest mankind; because there is no man who lives yet does not sin, for Thou only art without sin, Thy righteousness is to all eternity, and Thy word is truth.

For Thou art the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Thy servants who have fallen asleep, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever unto ages of ages. Amen.

Troparion for the Departed

With the souls of the righteous departed, give rest, O Saviour, to the souls of Thy servants, preserving them unto the life of blessedness which is with Thee, O Thou who lovest mankind.

Kontakion for the Departed

With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.

Memory Eternal

Grant, O Lord, rest eternal to the souls of Thy servants who have fallen asleep, and make their memory to be eternal. Memory eternal!

For the memorial days and how to comfort the grieving, see Departing and Remembrance.