Infants and Children

GREETING 

Priest: 

In the name of the Father (+) 

and of the Son 

and of the Holy Spirit.

All : Amen.

Priest: 

Let the little children 

come to me, 

and do not stop them.

All : 

For it is to such as these 

that the kingdom of heaven 

belongs.

Priest: 

We are gathered here today 

as a family 

to inter the remains of 

our son/daughter (N...) 

at his/her final resting place. 

Although we feel the pain 

of separation intensely, 

let us find courage 

in the love of the Lord God

who will care 

for this child 

in His kingdom.

OPENING PRAYER

Priest: 

Lord, 

whose ways are 

beyond understanding, 

listen to the prayers 

of Your faithful people. 

May we who are weighed down 

by grief at the loss 

of this child (N...), 

find reassurance 

in the strength of Your love.

We ask this 

through Christ our Lord.

All : Amen.

GOSPEL READING

A reading from

the holy gospel 

according to John

(John 14:1-6)

"Do not let your hearts 

be troubled. 

You have faith in God; 

have faith also in me. 

In my Father's house 

there are many dwelling places. 

If there were not, 

would I have told you 

that I am going 

to prepare a place for you? 

And if I go 

and prepare a place for you, 

I will come back again 

and take you to myself, 

so that where I am 

you also may be. 

Where I am going, 

you know the way.

I am the way

and the truth

and the life.

No one comes 

to the Father

except through me."

The Gospel of the Lord.

All : All praise to You,

Lord Jesus Christ.

BLESSING OF THE NICHE 

AND INTERMENT

Priest:

Bless those who mourn, 

eternal God, 

with the comfort 

of Your love, 

that they may face 

each new day 

with hope and the certainty 

that nothing can destroy 

the good that has been given. 

May their memories 

become joyful, 

their days enriched 

with friendship 

and their lives 

encircled by your love.

Bless this niche, O Lord, 

for You are the father 

of all children, 

and Your love 

reaches to the heavens.

May Your child (N...), 

who will be interred 

in this sacred sanctuary, 

be received 

into Your open arms 

in everlasting happiness.

May we and all those 

whom we have known 

and loved in this lifetime, 

be one day reunited 

with You and Your saints, 

in the eternal blessedness 

of Your kingdom.

We ask this 

through Christ our Lord.

All : Amen.

WORDS OF COMFORT

Love is stronger than death.

So l must be content 

to know that love 

is not affected by death-

it doesn't end, 

it doesn't diminish, 

it doesn't change. 

Instead, love is immortalised 

and eternalised

through death. 

And the possibility 

of that love ever being 

damaged or broken, 

is eliminated forever. 

I'll put my trust in love.

PRAYER FOR THE 

PARENTS OF THE DECEASED

Loving God,

Jesus our Lord 

died and rose, 

so that we and 

our children would rise

above physical death. 

We know that 

You grieved 

when Your own Son Jesus 

suffered and died 

on the cross. 

You know and 

understand grief 

as You know and 

understand all things. 

You know best 

how to comfort 

these parents.

Lift their hearts 

up to You 

and fill them 

with Your peace.

Although Your understanding 

is beyond 

our human comprehension,

give them the knowledge

and faith to endure 

even that which 

they cannot understand.

Let them be aware 

of Your presence always, God, 

and help them 

to remember that Your love, 

strength and peace 

for them can 

never be taken away.

We ask this 

through Christ our Lord

All: Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER &

THE ANGELIC SALUTATION

Priest:

As we await the promise

of God's kingdom,

let us pray...

All: 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 

hallowed be thy name; 

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done on earth 

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day 

our daily bread; 

and forgive us our trespasses, 

as we forgive those 

who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you amongst women

and blessed is the 

fruit of your womb, Jesus. 

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners now,

and at the hour of our death. 

Amen.

Glory be to the Father,

and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

CONCLUSION

Priest:

Eternal rest grant unto (N...) 

O Lord.

All : 

And let perpetual light 

shine upon him/her.

Priest: 

May he/ she rest in peace.

All : Amen.

Priest:

May the souls of all 

the faithful departed, 

through the mercy of God, 

rest in peace.

All : Amen.

BLESSING

Priest: 

May the Lord 

bless you and keep you.

All : Amen.

Priest: 

May He show his face to you 

and have mercy on you.

All : Amen.

Priest:

May He turn His countenance 

to you and give you peace.

All : Amen.

Priest: 

May Almighty God bless you, 

the Father (+) and the Son 

and the Holy Spirit.

All : Amen.