F U N E R A L M A S S M U S I C
W H O
Standard practice is to work with the funeral home to hire an organ/piano player, with the option of a vocalist or instrumentalist (violin, for example)..
W H A T
The family usually selects four songs (antiphons, congregational hymns or solos pieces) to be sung during Mass. The other sung Mass parts are usually determined by the celebrating priest.
M U S I C O P T I O N S
Funeral Antiphons
My personal favorites.
The words of these antiphons (which are sung during entrance, offertory, and communion) are beautiful and faithful expressions of our Catholic prayers for the deceased.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.
Let my prayer enter into your presence; incline your ear to my supplication, O Lord.
Lord, if you were to take into account our iniquities, who would withstand the test? But forgiveness abides with you, O God of Israel.
O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the departed faithful from the sufferings of hell and from the deep pit; deliver them from the mouth of the lion, may they not be swallowed up by hell, may they not fall into darkness, but may St. Michael, the standardbearer, present them in holy light as you promised long ago to Abraham and his descendants.
May eternal light shine upon them, O Lord, in the company of your saints for eternity, for you are full of goodness.
Listen to excerpts below.
*Note, in actual performance, extended verses make the antiphons longer than the samples.
Singing by Lillian Johnson
Common Hymns
These can be used for entrance, offertory, communion, and closing.
Abide With Me
All You Who Seek a Comfort Sure
Amazing Grace
Be Not Afraid
Be Still My Soul
Be Thou My Vision
Christian Do You Hear the Lord
Hail Holy Queen
How Firm A Foundation
How Great Thou Art
Humbly We Adore Thee
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Immaculate Mary
Jerusalem, My Happy Home
Jesus My Lord, My God, My All
Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
Nearer My God, to Thee
On Eagle's Wings
O God Our Help In Ages Past
O Jesus, Gentle Shepherd
O Mary Our Mother
Panis Angelicus
Praise My Soul the King of Heaven
The King of Love
There's a Wideness in God's Mercy
Thou Art the Way
To You I Lift My Soul
What Wondrous Love is This
Solo Options
Solos not in the hymnal but suitable for instrumentalists or solo singers.
Ave Maria
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone
Even Unto Death
It Is Well With My Soul
Lord I Need You
Nearer My God to Thee
O Come to the Altar
Pie Jesu
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
What Wondrous Love