Prayers for a Dead Friend

14th Century Fresco, Chora Church, Istanbul

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 Elsie, being raised with Him, 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.

For our sister Elsie, let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who said, "I am Resurrection and I am Life."

Lord, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for Elsie, and dry the tears of those who weep.
Hear us, Lord.

You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow.
Hear us, Lord.

You raised the dead to life; give to our sister eternal life.
Hear us, Lord.
You promised paradise to the thief who repented; bring our sister to the joys of heaven.
Hear us, Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to you our sister Elsie, who was reborn by water and the Spirit in Holy Baptism. Grant that her death may recall to us your victory over death, and be an occasion for us to renew our trust in your Father's love. Give us, we pray, the faith to follow where you have led the way; and where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to the ages of ages. Amen.

Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, 

where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
You only are immortal, the creator and maker of mankind; 

and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return. 

For so did you ordain when you created me, saying, 

"You are dust, and to dust you shall return." 

All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

(From the Book of Common Prayer 1979)