The passing of a loved one is never easy. In times of grief and sorrow, we often turn to prayer to find comfort, hope, and healing. Funeral prayer cards are a beautiful way to honor the memory of the deceased and share meaningful prayers with family and friends. These small keepsakes feature carefully chosen funeral prayers, favorite Bible verses, or inspiring quotes that capture the essence of your loved one's life and legacy.
Why Use Funeral Prayer Cards?
Funeral cards prayers serve several important purposes:
• They provide a tangible reminder of the loved one who has passed, which can be cherished for years to come.
• The prayers and verses offer words of consolation and encouragement to those who are grieving.
• Prayer cards can be easily shared with a wide circle of family, friends, and acquaintances as a way of including them in the memorial.
• The act of choosing and customizing the card with personally meaningful prayers is itself a therapeutic and healing process.
When faced with the daunting task of planning a funeral, selecting the right prayers for the prayer cards is one small way to infuse the service with your loved one's unique spirit. It's an opportunity to reflect on what mattered most to them - their faith, their values, their favorite passages of scripture or literature. The care and thought you put into the funeral prayers will shine through and be deeply appreciated by all who receive them.
Choosing the Right Prayers and Bible Verses
Many beautiful and uplifting prayers, poems, and Bible verses can bring light in the darkness of grief. Here are some popular choices to consider for your funeral prayer cards:
Catholic Funeral Prayers:
• Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
• Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
• Saints of God, come to his/her aid! Come to meet him/her, angels of the Lord! Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.
• Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
• O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, send your holy Angel to watch over this grave. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Protestant Funeral Prayers:
• Almighty God, our Father in heaven, before whom live all who die in the Lord: Receive our brother/sister [name] into the courts of your heavenly dwelling place. Let his/her heart and soul now ring out in joy to you, O Lord, the living God, and the God of those who live. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
• O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant [name], being raised with Christ, may know the strength of his presence and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
• Almighty God, look on this your servant, lying in great weakness, and comfort him/her with the promise of life everlasting, given in the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
• Into your hands, O Lord, we commend our brother/sister [name]. In the sight of this world he/she is now dead; in your sight may he/she live for ever. Forgive whatever sins he/she committed through human weakness and in your goodness grant him/her everlasting peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Non-Denominational Prayers & Poems:
• Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, so loved, so missed, so very dear.
• God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
• What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. - Helen Keller
• Death is not extinguishing the light, it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come. - Rabindranath Tagore
• Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. I am the thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die. - Mary Elizabeth Frye
Comforting Bible Verses:
• "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4
• "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." - Revelation 21:4
• "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." - Matthew 5:4
• "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." - John 11:25-26
• "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27
• "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39
• "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
These are just a sampling of the many moving prayers, poems and verses available. Let the faith and personality of your loved one guide you to the selections that will bring the most comfort and capture their memory most beautifully. Don't be afraid to look beyond traditional sources for inspiration as well - you may find the perfect passage in a beloved novel, a favorite song, or a personal letter or journal entry. Trust your heart.
Designing and Personalizing Your Funeral Prayer Cards
Once you have chosen the prayers and verses for your funeral cards, the next step is designing the layout and personalizing them with special touches. FuneralFolio offers a variety of templates, color schemes, and customization options to help you create the perfect keepsake.
Some key elements to consider:
• A photo of your loved one - either a recent picture or one from a special moment like a wedding or graduation
• Their full name and dates - date of birth, date of passing, or years of life (e.g. "John Smith, 1945-2023")
• A short epitaph, quote, or phrase that encapsulates their spirit - "Forever in our Hearts", "Loving Father & Friend", "In God's Care"
• Carefully chosen imagery - crosses, doves, landscapes, or other graphics that were meaningful to them
• Quality cardstock and professional printing to create an enduring memento
Work with your chosen provider to explore the possibilities and design funeral prayer cards that will do justice to your loved one's memory. Don't feel rushed to make a decision - give yourself time to collect the elements and fine-tune the details until it feels right to you. These small tributes will bring comfort to many, so pour your heart into them.
Frequently Asked Questions
As you go through the process of selecting and designing your prayer cards, a few common questions may arise:
How many prayer cards should I order?
This will depend on the size of your circle, but it's generally a good idea to order more than you think you'll need - around 50-150 for a typical funeral. It's better to have extras than to run out.
Can I include a personal note or thank you message on the prayer card?
Absolutely - many templates include space on the back for a longer message. This is a perfect place to share a special memory or express your gratitude for the love and support you've received.
What if I can't find a pre-written prayer that feels right?
You can always write your own personal prayer or message - simply speak from the heart. If you get stuck, try focusing on a favorite memory of your loved one and the impact they had on others.
How can I involve other family members in selecting the prayers?
Choosing the prayers for a funeral card can be a very healing group activity. Share some options with siblings, children, or close friends and get their input. You may be surprised at the meaningful suggestions they have.
What is the typical size of a funeral prayer card?
Most cards are roughly the size of a business card (2x3.5 inches), though larger sizes are also available. Consider what will fit best in a wallet, purse, or pocket as these are meant to be kept close at hand.
Can I have different prayers or designs printed on either side?
Yes, most providers will allow you to customize both the front and back of the card with different prayers, images, or design elements so you can share multiple meaningful messages.
Is it okay to laminate the prayer cards?
Lamination is a great option to increase the durability of the cards, especially if you'll be sharing them with a lot of people. Many retailers offer this as an add-on service.
*What if I notice a mistake on the cards after ordering? *
As long as you catch it quickly, most printers will allow you to review a digital proof and request changes before the cards go to print. Don't hesitate to ask for a revision if something doesn't look quite right.
Key Takeaways
• Funeral prayer cards are a heartfelt way to honor a loved one and bring comfort to those who are grieving.
• Carefully choose prayers, Bible verses, and quotes that reflect your loved one's spirit and provide consolation.
• Involve other close family and friends in selecting the prayers to make it a healing group activity.
• Personalize the cards with special photos, meaningful imagery, and a short epigraph about your loved one.
• Order enough cards to share generously with your entire circle, and consider including a personal note on the back.
• Work with your chosen provider to design and print cards that will serve as beautiful, enduring reminders of the one you've lost.
Losing someone dear is one of the most profound experiences we go through in this life. While nothing can take away the pain of that loss, celebrating their legacy and finding comfort in prayer can soothe even the deepest grief. Funeral prayer cards are a simple yet powerful way to do just that.
So take heart, have courage, and use this opportunity to create something that will touch many lives. Honor your loved one in this special way and let the prayers you choose be a balm for broken hearts. Let them be a reminder of the love, joy, and light that your loved one brought to this world - a love that will never die.
Order your personalized funeral prayer cards today and share a piece of your loved one's legacy with all who mourn them. Let these treasured keepsakes be a source of healing, hope, and remembrance for years to come.