A Final Commendation of the Dying

Depart, Christian soul, out of this world,
in the name of God the Father almighty who created you,
in the name of Jesus + Christ his Son, who suffered for you,
in the name of the Holy Spirit, who has been poured out into you.

May you depart this day in peace,
and your home be in the heavenly Jerusalem.

Source: Sarum

Source of this version: Modified from Ancient Collects and Other Prayers, Ed. by W. Bright: J.H. & Jas. Parker, London, 1902, p. 120 #1

“May you depart this day…” original has “May thy place be this day in peace,”

A longer version reads thus:

Depart in peace, ransomed soul,
in the name of God the Father almighty who created you,
in the name of Jesus + Christ, the Son of the living God, who redeemed you,
in the name of the Holy Spirit, who sanctified you.

Come now to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven.

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 121:8) Amen.

Source of this version: The Lutheran Hymnal, p. 119

Graphic: Page from an English Psalter, from Flickr, Walters Art Museum, Public Domain.

“Enter now Mount Zion…” is a reference to Hebrews 12:22-23

prayer for the dead in middle ages

prayers for the dead