Few moments in a family’s life feel as heavy as watching someone you love grow seriously ill. For Catholics, one of the greatest sources of comfort in that season is the Catholic last rites: the sacraments and prayers the Church offers to prepare a soul to meet God. They bring forgiveness, strength, and peace, both to the person who is dying and to everyone gathered at the bedside.
If you have never requested the last rites before, it’s natural to feel unsure. What happens during the visit? When is the right time to call? What if the priest can’t get there? This guide walks you through each of those questions so you can make calm, confident decisions when it matters most.
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Understanding the Catholic Last Rites
The phrase “last rites” isn’t the name of one single sacrament. It’s a traditional term for the group of sacraments and prayers given to Catholics who are in danger because of serious illness, frailty, or advancing age. Together, they reconcile the person with God, strengthen them spiritually, and accompany them in faith toward eternal life.
The Church’s official book for these celebrations is Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum. When death appears close, a priest will often use the continuous rite, which combines confession, anointing, and Holy Communion into one visit so the person receives every grace the Church can offer.
The Three Sacraments at a Glance
| Sacrament | Spiritual Gift | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Penance (Confession) | Pardon for sins and restored friendship with God | Offered first, while the person can still communicate |
| Anointing of the Sick | Courage, peace, and grace to bear suffering; forgiveness of sins when confession isn’t possible; healing if God wills it | During serious illness, advanced age, or before a dangerous surgery |
| Eucharist (Viaticum) | Christ’s presence as nourishment for the passage to eternal life | Given last, as death draws near, if the person can swallow |
Confession: Laying Down Life’s Burdens
When the person is awake and able to speak, the priest begins by offering private confession, and loved ones step out of the room briefly. This can be an enormously freeing moment, a chance to let go of regrets that may have weighed on a heart for decades. Even if speech is no longer possible, a priest can grant absolution when the person shows signs of repentance, such as a nod, a glance, or the press of a hand.
Anointing of the Sick: Grace in Weakness
Next, the priest silently lays his hands on the sick person, then anoints the forehead and palms with the Oil of the Sick, praying that the Lord will grant comfort and healing. Older generations knew this sacrament as “Extreme Unction,” which made it sound reserved for the final breath. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church has made clear it is intended for anyone whose life is seriously threatened by illness or age, and it may be repeated if the condition worsens or returns.
Viaticum: Christ as Companion on the Road
The word viaticum comes from Latin and means “supplies for a journey.” Receiving Holy Communion near death is the Church’s way of saying the dying person does not travel alone; Christ goes with them. When swallowing is difficult, the priest may give just a tiny fragment of the Host or a few drops of the Precious Blood.
Additional Prayers and Blessings
- Apostolic Pardon: Following confession, the priest may give this special blessing, which grants a plenary indulgence at the moment of death.
- Commendation of the Dying: A collection of short prayers, litanies, and Scripture passages entrusting the person to God’s mercy. Families are welcome to pray these at the bedside, with or without a priest.
- Prayers for the Dead: After a loved one passes, the priest leads prayers for their soul and for consolation of the grieving family.
Why the Last Rites Matter
For the one who is dying, the last rites bring reassurance that sins are forgiven and that God is near. Chaplains and hospice workers frequently notice that patients grow calmer and more at peace after receiving the sacraments.
For those left behind, the last rites provide a different kind of gift: the knowledge that their loved one was spiritually ready. That certainty can ease guilt, soften grief, and help a family say goodbye with hope. The last rites are ultimately a celebration of God’s mercy and the promise of resurrection, not simply a ritual of death.
What Happens During the Visit
- Reach out for a priest. Call your parish, or ask the hospital or hospice chaplain. Many parishes have an after-hours emergency line. Share the person’s name, where they are, how they’re doing, and whether they’re conscious.
- Opening greeting. The priest welcomes those present and may sprinkle holy water as a sign of baptism.
- Private confession. If the person is able, they confess and receive absolution, possibly along with the Apostolic Pardon.
- Word of God. A brief Scripture reading followed by prayers in which family members can participate.
- The anointing. Laying on of hands, then anointing of the forehead and hands with the Oil of the Sick.
- Our Father and Communion. All pray the Lord’s Prayer together, and the person receives Viaticum if able.
- Closing blessing. The priest blesses the sick person and everyone present.
A typical visit lasts about 15 to 30 minutes and can take place anywhere: at home, in a hospital room, in a care facility, or in hospice.
Who May Receive the Last Rites?
The Anointing of the Sick may be received by any baptized Catholic who has reached the age of reason and whose health is seriously at risk from illness or old age. There’s no need to wait for the final hours. The Church actually encourages calling a priest early, while the person can still participate fully by making a confession and receiving Communion.
Consider calling a priest:
- Soon after a terminal diagnosis or when hospice care begins
- Ahead of a serious or risky operation
- When an older relative becomes noticeably weaker
- When a long-term illness suddenly worsens
- Any time death seems to be approaching
How Families Can Prepare
- Keep your parish’s emergency number saved in your phone.
- Inform hospital or hospice staff that your loved one is Catholic and wishes to see a priest.
- Set up a small table near the bed with a crucifix, a candle if allowed, and a glass of water.
- Invite family members who would like to pray together.
- Have a rosary or prayer cards on hand for the hours ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are non-Catholics able to receive the last rites?
Normally the sacraments are reserved for Catholics. Church law does permit Orthodox Christians to receive them on request. Other baptized Christians in danger of death may receive them if they can’t reach their own minister, request them freely, share the Catholic belief in these sacraments, and are properly disposed. A priest can always pray with and bless a person of any faith.
What should we do if no priest can come?
Confession and anointing require a priest, but a deacon or an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion can bring Viaticum. Family members can also pray the prayers for the dying, the Rosary, or the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The Church teaches that a person who is truly sorry for their sins out of love for God, intending to confess when possible, is not beyond the reach of God’s mercy.
Can a priest give the last rites after someone has died?
The sacraments are meant for the living, so a priest won’t anoint someone who has clearly passed away. He will pray for the deceased and support the family instead. When it’s unclear whether death has occurred, he may anoint conditionally, so it’s always worth calling, even if you worry it’s too late.
Are there particular prayers families can say?
The priest follows the Church’s official rite. Families can add their own devotions, such as the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Psalm 23, or the short prayer, “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.”
Is there a fee for the last rites?
No. The sacraments are always free. Some families give an optional donation to the parish afterward as a gesture of thanks.
Quick Tips (Short Videos)
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Listen to the Podcast Episode
If you’d rather listen, this episode of The Funeral Channel Podcast explains the meaning of the last rites and how families can get ready. https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=xu8n7-1b7a5ec-pb
A Closing Word
The Catholic last rites are one of the most tender gifts the Church gives her children. They surround the dying with forgiveness, strength, and the presence of Christ, and they assure families that their loved one was cared for in body and soul. If someone dear to you is seriously ill, please don’t wait for a perfect moment. Call your parish priest now. Asking for the sacraments is never premature; it is always an act of love.
And when it’s time to honor your loved one’s life, The Funeral Program Site is here to help you create a beautiful, faith-centered tribute.
About the Author: Christi Anderson is the founder of The Funeral Program Site and The Funeral Channel Network, and a published author dedicated to helping families navigate funeral planning and end-of-life traditions with compassion and clarity.