The Irish know how to give a fitting send-off when it comes to death. From the customary wake to a moving eulogy, the Irish pray for the dead and celebrate their lives through storytelling and remembering. Irish funerals can be a jovial affair as people gather to celebrate the deceased’s life and pay their respects. Side by side with the painful aspects of death, you will also find comical Irish funeral toasts, Irish death blessings, and Irish prayers for the dead that can provide comic relief to any solemn event.
IrishCentral is pleased to provide 11 of the most heartfelt and humorous Irish toasts at funerals, Irish death blessings, and Irish prayer for the dead. People are often at a loss for words when it comes to death, but the Irish always have a saying or some advice to fill the hole. From the customary wake to a moving eulogy, the Irish pray for the dead and celebrate their lives through storytelling and remembering.
We’ve compiled a list of 11 Irish prayers for the dead that you might hear throughout most or all of the significant components of a funeral, Irish wake, or vigil. In awake or vigil, it is customary to recite the rosary or a collection of prayers. The rosary is a collection of five sets or decades of repeated prayers. Catholics can pray the rosary alone, but you may choose to engage in a group prayer at funerals. The prayers might be led by a priest, a layperson, or people present at the vigil. So raise a glass, smile, and honor the dead for the beautiful life they led!
- “It is better to buy a tiny bouquet and present it to your buddy today than a bushel of white and red roses to lay on his coffin after he has died.”
- “Do not lament the fact that you are getting older. Many people are denied the opportunity.”
- “When we drink, we become inebriated. We fall asleep when we are inebriated, and we do not sin when we sleep. We go to paradise when we do not sin. So, let us all get drunk and head to heaven!”
- “May you have food and clothing, as well as a comfy pillow for your head.” May you spend forty years in heaven before the devil realizes you’re no longer alive.”
- “Here’s to a long and happy life, a quick and easy death, a gorgeous girl and an honest girl, a cold beer, and another one.”
- “Death leaves a pain that no one can repair; love leaves a memory that no one can take.”
- “I wish you good health and a long life.” You have land that is not rented to you, and every year, a child is given to you. “And if you can’t go to paradise, may you die in Ireland.”
- “To beefsteak when you’re hungry, Whiskey when you’re thirsty, all the women you’ll ever want, and heaven when you die,”
Litany to The Virgin Mary in its Simplest Form
The Virgin Mary is a central figure in Catholicism. This prayer both praises her and requests that she intercede for sinners. At an Irish prayer for the dead, it is said in groups of five or 10.
- 9. “Hail, full of grace, Mary.” The Lord is on your side. Blessed are you among women, Jesus, and blessed is the offspring of thy womb. Please, Holy Mary, Mother of God, intercede for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
The Creed of The Apostles
This prayer validates every aspect of the Christian religion. At most Irish funerals, it is a well-known group prayer.
- 10. “I believe in God, the almighty Father, creator of heaven and world; and in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried…”
The Lord's Supplication
When Jesus’ disciples asked him how to pray, he offered this prayer. It is intended to provide you with comfort and strength.
- 11. “Hallowed be thy name, Our Father in heaven.” Come, thy kingdom. Do Your will on earth as it is in heaven…”
All Praise To The Father.
This brief prayer thanks God and reaffirms faith in response to other petitions.
- “All glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” As it was in the beginning, it is now, and will always be, a world without end. Amen.”
Fatima's Prayer
In 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. She said the following prayer to three shepherd children:
- “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, deliver us from the wrath of hell, and lead all souls to paradise, especially those who are most in need of your kindness.”
Holy Queen, Hail!
This traditional prayer honors and praises the Virgin Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mary is to be a merciful champion in this situation.
- “Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears….”
A Youngster has Died.
This prayer requests that the Lord Jesus take a child into his arms. It comes from the Church of Ireland Book of Common Prayer and includes a spot for the child’s name who has died.
- “O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst take little children into thine arms and bless them; open thou our eyes, we beseech thee, that we may perceive that thou hast taken this child [name] into the arms of thy love, and blessed [name] with the blessings of thy gracious favor; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.”
Conclusion
Prayers at a funeral give healing, remembering, and strength. Prayers memorialize the departed while also assisting those present. All individuals who wish to offer their respects are invited to say prayers in unison. They are a strong tradition as well as a meaningful medium for believers.
