Suggested Music
In times of grief and sorrow, we often turn to music as an expression of our faith — of those beliefs and hopes we sometimes cannot express in words. Whether planning the Funeral Liturgy of a loved one or pre-planning your own, the music you select can say a lot about what you, your family and loved ones believe. It can be a great source of comfort and consolation to the living. The music you select can even inspire new faith or renewed faith in the lives of your family and friends. We hope the musical choices below will help you select music that is both comforting and uplifting.
Opportunities for hymns in the funeral liturgy
The Gathering Song [when we enter the church]
The Song at the Presentation of the Gifts
The Song at Communion
Communion Reflection
Song of Farewell [just before we leave the church]
The Closing Song
We offer the following suggestions for your consideration. The placement of the music is usually best left to the discretion and experience of our Director of Music Ministry.
Most Commonly Selected Hymns for Funeral Masses:
Amazing Grace
Be Not Afraid
Here I Am, Lord
How Great Thou Art
I Am the Bread of Life
On Eagle’s Wings
Prayer of St. Francis
You Are Mine
Other Frequently Selected Hymns:
Blest Are They
Behold the Lamb
City of God
Eye Has Not Seen
Gift of Finest Wheat
Hosea
I Have Loved You
I Know that My Redeemer Lives
Joyful, Joyful
Like a Shepherd
Lord, You Have Come (to the Seashore) / Pescador des hombres
One Bread, One Body
We Remember
Marian Hymns (if desired, one of the following should be chosen for Communion Meditation or Presentation of Gifts)
Ave Maria (there are several versions to choose from)
Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
Other Marian hymns may be found in the Hymnal
Song of Farewell (Final Commendation – sung when the priest incenses the casket, before the Closing Hymn)
Song of Farewell (May the choir of angels come to greet you . . . ) (there are several versions to choose from)
Jesus Remember Me
O Loving God (words of the final commendation set to the “Danny Boy” tune)
Responsorial Psalm (sung between the First and Second Readings by the cantor and congregation)
The following are the most well known settings
Ps. 19 Lord, You have the words of everlasting life
Ps. 23 Shepherd Me, O God (Haugen)
Ps. 23 The Lord Is My Shepherd
Ps. 27 The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation
Ps. 34 Taste and See
Ps. 103 The Lord is Kind and Merciful