How to Recite the Rosary for Funerals
Catholics pray the rosary as a means of meditating upon the life of Christ and as a devotional in honor of the Virgin Mary. During funeral services, the rosary is prayed as an intercessory prayer for the deceased. The rosary is commonly prayed during the wake portion of funeral services, but not during the funeral Mass. The rosary may be led by a priest, deacon, family member or friend of the deceased. The prayer leader will pray the first half of each prayer alone, and the congregation will respond out loud together with the second half of each prayer.
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Instructions
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Listen for the prayer leader to announce that the prayers of the rosary are beginning. At funerals, the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary are prayed. The leader will begin by holding the crucifix of the rosary and signing himself with the Sign of the Cross. Do the same with your rosary. If you do not have a rosary, use your right hand to make the sign of the cross, and then fold your hands in prayer.
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Pray the second half of each of the introductory prayers along with the leader. These are the Apostles' Creed, Our Father, 3 Hail Marys and a Glory Be.
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Pray the first decade of the Glorious Mysteries, The Resurrection. Pray the second half of 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, a Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
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Pray the second decade of the Glorious Mysteries, The Ascension. Pray the second half of 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, a Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
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Pray the third decade of the Glorious Mysteries, The Descent of the Holy Spirit. Pray the second half of 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, a Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
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Pray the fourth decade of the Glorious Mysteries, The Assumption. Pray the second half of 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, a Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
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Pray the fifth decade of the Glorious Mysteries, The Coronation. Pray the second half of 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, a Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
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Close with the Hail Holy Queen prayer.
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References
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