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. To be safe, consider the following: If the hymn or song is in the hymnal, it is generally acceptable. If a secular song is meaningful to the family, consider including it at the wake or gathering after the mass.

Please feel free to contact Michael Cooney for help in planning the music for the Funeral Mass. We have a volunteer 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.  See suggested funeral music listed below to get started. Additionally, any hymn in the hymnal is approved for use in the funeral mass (excepting hymns with the word “alleluia” during Lent).

You may also wish to simply let our music director make the decisions for you – the selections marked with an asterisk will likely be chosen.

The traditional and timeless Gregorian chants/antiphons can be sung at the mass if requested.

Guest musicians, familiar with the responsibilities of music ministry, are welcome to participate, but they must contact our music director for approval.

Michael Cooney, Director of Music
[email protected]

Funeral Music

Gathering

*I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say – KINGSFOLD

*Alleluia, Sing To Jesus – HYFRYDOL

Lord of All Hopefulness – SLANE

Praise My Soul the King of Heaven – LAUDA ANIMA

All Creatures of Our God and King – LAST UNS ERFREUEN

Presentation of Gifts

*I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say – KINGSFOLD

*The King of Love My Shepherd Is – Trad. Irish Melody

Amazing Grace – Early American

Ave Maria – Chant/Schubert/Various

Communion

*The King of Love My Shepherd Is – Trad. Irish Melody

*Quietly, Peacefully – Dvorak

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Bach (instrumental)

Panis Angelicus – Cesar Frank

Recessional

*For All The Saints – Williams

Praise My Soul, The King of Heaven – LAUDA ANIMA

Joyful, Joyful We Adore You – Hymn