Either the Sorrowful Mysteries (Christ's own death) or the Glorious Mysteries (the hope of resurrection) are traditionally chosen, and both are correct; the Church has no single rule here. Pray the Eternal Rest prayer at the start, name the deceased, and pray the Rosary you would pray on any other day.
Mystery set: Sorrowful or Glorious, both traditional, neither mandatory
Add: The Eternal Rest prayer, said for the deceased by name
Season: The Church sets aside all of November for this, closing with All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2
Pray for them now.
Begin with the Eternal Rest prayer, then let Orabimus guide the full Rosary, in English or Latin.
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Why does the Church ask us to pray for the dead at all?
The Catechism teaches that those who die in God's friendship but are not yet fully purified undergo a final purification before entering the joy of heaven, traditionally called Purgatory. Because the souls being purified cannot pray for themselves, the Church holds that our prayers genuinely help them, and that, in turn, their eventual prayers for us in heaven are made more effective by our having interceded for them first (Catechism 958).
The practice has scriptural roots older than Christianity itself: 2 Maccabees 12 describes Judas Maccabeus making atonement for fallen soldiers specifically so they could be freed from sin after death. The Catechism cites this passage directly when explaining why the Church has prayed for the dead from her earliest days (Catechism 1032).
Sorrowful or Glorious: which Mysteries are correct?
Both, honestly, and the choice usually follows what the moment calls for rather than a rule. The Sorrowful Mysteries meditate on Christ's own death, which gives grief somewhere to stand: He, too, was mourned. The Glorious Mysteries open with the Resurrection, which is the entire reason Christian death is not the end of the story. Many people pray the Sorrowful Mysteries in the days immediately after a death, when grief is raw, and move toward the Glorious Mysteries as the weeks pass and the focus shifts from loss toward hope. There is no wrong choice between them.
The Eternal Rest prayer, in full
This short prayer, also called the Requiem aeternam, is traditionally said for the deceased at the start of a Rosary offered for them, and again at the end:
English: Eternal rest grant unto him (her), O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him (her). May he (she) rest in peace. Amen.
Latin (Requiem aeternam): Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.
A second, broader version is often added for all the faithful departed, not only the one person you are praying for: May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
What about November and All Souls' Day?
The Catholic Church sets aside the entire month of November for prayer for the dead, closing the liturgical year with this theme before Advent begins. November 2, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls' Day), is the specific day of intercession for everyone who has died marked with the sign of faith, though prayer for the deceased is appropriate at any time of year, not only in November.
Related intentions: Rosary for the Sick · Rosary for Peace. The Mysteries: Sorrowful Mysteries · Glorious Mysteries · The Resurrection.
Sources: Catechism 1030 to 1032 (Vatican) · Catechism 958 · 2 Maccabees 12 (USCCB)
Frequently asked questions about praying the Rosary for the dead
Do I have to choose between the Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries?
No. Both are traditional choices for the dead, and the Church has not assigned one over the other. Many people choose based on how recent the death is and how their own grief feels that day; either is appropriate.
What is the Eternal Rest prayer, and when do I say it?
It is a short traditional prayer ("Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord...") said at the start and end of a Rosary offered for someone who has died. The full text is above. It can also be said on its own, outside of a Rosary, any time you think of the deceased.
Why does the Catholic Church believe prayer can still help someone after they have died?
The Church teaches that souls being purified before entering heaven, traditionally called Purgatory, cannot pray for themselves but genuinely benefit from the prayers of the living. This belief is rooted in 2 Maccabees 12 and is explained in the Catechism, paragraphs 958 and 1030 to 1032.
Is it okay to pray for someone if I don't know whether they were Catholic or believed at all?
Yes. Prayer for the dead is an act of charity and hope offered to God on behalf of the person, regardless of their beliefs in life. The Church entrusts the judgment to God's mercy and encourages prayer for all the deceased.
Can I offer a whole Rosary, or is one decade enough?
A single decade (one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, one Glory Be) offered with the Eternal Rest prayer is a complete and real act of prayer for the dead. A full five-decade Rosary is not required.
What is All Souls' Day?
November 2 is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, the day the Church sets aside specifically for praying for everyone who has died. It follows All Saints' Day (November 1) and opens the Church's traditional month of remembrance for the dead.
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