Eternal Rest

The Church’s prayer for the dead, in Latin.

Said at gravesides, at the end of the Rosary for the dead, whenever a hearse passes, and at the close of every Office of the Dead. It is the shortest complete prayer for the departed the Church has.

In Latin

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Requiescant in pace. Amen.

In English

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

The Versicle Form

V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
V. Requiescant in pace.
R. Amen.

About This Prayer

Two things are asked for and they are not the same: rest, and light. Rest from what is finished; light for what comes next. The prayer is worth learning by heart in either language — you will need it more often than you expect.