Funeral Music

Music is integral to the funeral rites. It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that words alone may fail to convey. It has the power to console and uplift the mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith and love. The texts of the songs chosen for a particular celebration should express the paschal mystery of the Lord’s suffering, death and triumph over death and should be related to the readings from Scripture.

Since music can evoke strong feelings, the music for the celebration of the funeral rites should be chosen with great care. The music at funerals should support, console, and uplift the participants and should help to create in them a spirit of hope in Christ’s victory over death and in the Christian’s share in that victory.

Secular music (including Broadway music), or music played from a CD or phone, is not permitted at the funeral mass.

If you so wish, please feel free to contact me for help in planning the music for the Funeral Mass. We have a volunteer “Resurrection Choir” that sings at all of our funerals at Assumption, and they greatly add to the reverence and solemnity of the celebration. If you wish to be involved in the music selection process, we ask that you choose four (4) hymns that are meaningful to you and the family. See suggested funeral music listed below.

You may also request that the traditional Gregorian chants be sung at the mass.

Michael Cooney, Director of Music
203.572.2213
music@olaffld.org