When it comes to selecting a resting place for your deceased loved one, some families prefer to bury the ashes rather than disperse them.
Burial of ashes is the ceremony of keeping the departed’s cremated remains in a permanent site, such as a grave or a columbarium.
The graveside prayers for the burial of ashes are usually similar to those made when burying a body. The aim is to pay your final respects to the deceased and release their soul to the afterlife.
The stages that follow a loved one’s death and cremation might be overwhelming for the bereaved.
But these graveside prayers will offer comfort as you lay your deceased’s ashes to rest.
1) Short Graveside Prayer for Burial of Ashes
“Loving Christ,
In three days in the tomb, You opened the graves of those who died in You, making the grave a symbol of hope that promises resurrection even though death conquers our mortal bodies.
Allow Your beloved child to rest in peace as You call them to Your glory because You are the resurrection and the source of immortal life.
Let (say their name) see Your glorious face and experience Your Heavenly splendor, for You reign forever. I pray and believe in Christ Jesus, Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
Graveside prayers for the burial of ashes accompanied with appropriate Bible Scriptures can bring hope and comfort to bereaved family members and friends.
The graveside service offers a formal ceremony at the time you are ready to bury the ashes.
Many believers find it hard to pray in public, for instance, through reciting a graveside prayer.
However, realizing that prayer is a personal way of communing with the Almighty, public prayers can channel you to the thoughts of others, bringing about comfort and peace.
Also pray these prayers for a friend who lost a loved one.
2) Catholic Graveside Prayer for Burial of Ashes
“Oh God, You give perfect peace to the faithful departed through Your grace. Bless the grave of Your servant and send Your Holy angels and Heavenly saints to watch over it.
As we bury the ashes of our loved ones here, liberate their soul from every ungodly tie so that they may delight in the blessed realms with the old saints forever.
Look upon the grave of Your child with mercy, so that they may sleep soundly in You. Raise them on Judgement Day to dwell with You in paradise. Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
The Catholic significance of death is illustrated in the light of the Paschal Mystery of the Death and Resurrection of Christ, in whom we hope in.
The book of 2 Corinthians 5:8 assures us that the Christian who dies in salvation is away from their body and at home with the Heavenly Father.
“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
Though you can recite the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be at the graveside, this prayer catholic graveside prayer helps to guarantee that your deceased is with the Lord.
Do not be dismayed but instead rejoice that your departed’s soul is in a place with no suffering, unlike the world we live in.
Read these beautiful prayers for a mother in heaven.
3) Beautiful Catholic Prayer for Intermittent of Ashes
“Eternal God,
Giver of life and overcomer of death. We stand in Your presence now in this Holy ground commending (say their name) to Your eternal love.
After committing their body to be cremated, we now bury their ashes in this site in steadfast hope of resurrection and everlasting life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
We thank You for the promise of the safekeeping of our souls in peace forever. Though our loved one is no longer with us, they are with You, sheltered by Your love.
We give our departed a final resting place. In our memories, we will always treasure them. And in Your eternal love and mercy, they shall be at peace. Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
The Church recommends the burial of the bodies or ashes of the deceased in sacred places as per conventional Christian traditions. Prayer for intermittent ashes is the most fitting way to express faith and hope in the resurrection.
According to 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, the dead shall resurrect with an imperishable body from the perishable one.
They are laid in dishonor and raised in glory, sown in weakness and raised in power. They are laid to rest as mortal bodies and raised as spiritual beings.
By commemorating the ashes of Christian believers, we affirm their faith in the resurrection and honor their great works in their lives on Earth.
Also read these prayers for a deceased husband in heaven.
4) Scripture to Read While Scattering Ashes
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow.”
Psalm 116:1-3
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2
The Bible contains Scriptures that touch every area of life. The use of certain Scriptures at a burial ceremony continues the tradition and breeds assurance and comfort.
At a Christian funeral, the grieving congregation expects the use of comforting Scripture verses.
If you are looking to incorporate Scripture into your burial prayer, the following are essential facets to follow, acknowledging the Lord’s majesty and faithfulness.
Confess the emotion of grief caused by the uncertainty of circumstance. Express an expectation of hope for the future and the love for God.
Finally, confess a reliance on God’s grace through His Son Jesus.
5) Bible Verse for Scattering Ashes Ceremony
“Lord of Heaven and Earth,
We can’t help but have troubled hearts today as we scatter the ashes of our dearly departed. But Your Word encourages us in John 14:1-3 not to be troubled but to trust in You. For in Your house are many rooms prepared for us, for when we depart this world.
Thank You for the promise of a beautiful afterlife and that You will one day come back and take us to be with You in Heaven.
In Your precious name, I pray, Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
The time of saying goodbye to a deceased loved one leaves many confused and in a state of disbelief.
Using verses from the Bible will add emphasis to the words of the prayer when scattering the ashes.
The ceremonial tradition will later serve as a mnemonic instrument for the bereaved, enabling them to remember meaningful quotations and feelings from the service.
Thoughtfully crafted graveside prayers depend on hopeful Bible verses alongside the traditional mourning services to assure comfort and encourage the bereaved in their grief.
The prayers accompanied by Bible quotes express the reality of feeling to the Almighty in the hope of one day meeting the loved one again in paradise.
Before you leave, try these prayers for a grieving family.
Can I Also Read a Psalm during the Ceremony?
Yes, you can. The most popular Psalm recited during a burial ceremony is Psalm 23. You can even create a personalized graveside prayer from the chapter.
Here is an example:
“Eternal Father, the uncertainty of life and chilling nature of death leave us as lost sheep. Our shepherd, lead and comfort us as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Provide us with green pasture and guide us through still waters.
Restore our souls and offer us a bright hope for tomorrow by directing us in the path of righteousness. Though we encounter the shadow of death, let us fear no evil because You comfort us with Your rod and staff.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives. And we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
If you’re looking for new Psalms to inspire your prayers, the following are some ideas:
Can I Pray More Than One Prayer?
Yes. The church recommends saying several prayers for the faithful departed to accompany their souls and strengthen the faith of the bereaved.
The prayers also minister to the mourning and console them with the Word of the Lord.
Final Thoughts
Funeral prayers are an essential way for Christians to show their trust in God during their lowest moments. In life and death, our hope should be in the Lord and the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
So it is right to say graveside prayers for the burial of ashes. Such prayers are profoundly encouraging and create a wonderful testimony of the departed’s faith in the Lord.
Because the Bible is our guide, it is okay to recite Scriptures and verses during the burial ceremony. The above beautiful graveside prayers for the burial of ashes will inspire you and comfort the mourners.
