Prayer Of Commendation

I am nearly finished with my first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, where I have had the opportunity to serve as a Hospital Chaplain Intern.

The other day, I was called to perform “Last Rites” for a patient. Upon arriving to the room, I discovered that the patient was already deceased. After informing the family that 01: The Roman Catholic tradition only performs rites for the living, and, quite relevant, 02: I am not Roman Catholic and couldn’t do it even if it were such a thing. They said neither were they; they just wanted someone to perform a prayer.

I looked for a non-Roman Catholic Prayer of Commendation and couldn’t quite find what I was looking for, so I wrote one. It’s a little long for what I’d like to use it for and I will probably make some edits, or rewrite it completely, but I thought I’d pass it along in its current form if anyone’s interested (feel free to use and edit as helps you).

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Saving and Sustaining Creator; 
hear us as we gather
in the quiet remembrance of death.
From dust we came
and to dust we shall return. 
As our dear one has departed this realm,
some day, so shall we.

Creator who saves, and sustains,
help us make the most our days. 
May we carry your blessing of Love to all we meet,
for our days our few and the needs are many
Show us that Your Love sustains.

We commend our dear sister/brother ____________ to the journey ahead,
To them we say:

may you return to the God who formed you, 
may the angels and the saints; 
all those who have gone ahead
guide you as you go forth from this life to the next. 

Dear sister/brother ____________
May the God who created, saves, and sustains,
bring you freedom from your suffering, 
and peace of spirit,
welcome you with open arms 
into the garden of paradise, 

and may you hear those words we all long to hear:
“Well done, my good and faithful servant,”
Find your rest in that heavenly home
where there is no more disease,
no more sickness,
no more sadness,
no more tears,
and no more suffering; 
remember us as you take your place in the eternal.”

Creating, Saving, and Sustaining God, 
guide this dear one and us to our eternal home,
Give us the courage to continue our lives in sacrifice for others,
following the path of peace,
guided by Love. 

We pray with humble confidence
knowing our shortcomings
and your abundant mercies. 

Hear our prayers, 
guide our hands, 
heal our hearts. 
Amen.