Music Planning‎ > ‎

Funeral

Music isn't just a pleasure, a transient satisfaction. It's a need, a deep hunger; and when the music is right, it's joy. Love. A foretaste of heaven. A comfort in grief.  (Orson Scott Card, novelist)
Music brings back memories and evokes emotions. In times of grief, it induces tears and smiles, and then surrounds us with a comforting embrace.

It's been sung at funerals for centuries, way before Christianity. In ancient times, it was hoped chanting would appease the spirits. Nowadays, you have choice over the musical styles; traditional, contemporary, Gospel, etc. By Celtic tradition, bagpipes are often played at the funerals of firefighters or police personnel. In New Orleans, the liturgy frequently concludes with a jazz rendition of a hymn.

The funeral liturgy is designed to evolve from sadness and grief to the joy of resurrection. So make choices that will inspire guests to mourn your loved one's passing, give thanks for their life here on earth, and celebrate their eternal life. If your loved one has left no specific wishes, pick music that reflects their personality and tastes.

You may choose up to four selections; though feel free to pick fewer if you wish. Or, just let us know what musical style you prefer and the Director of Music Ministry will fill in the rest and put them in the most appropriate order.

Here are some for you to consider; with links provided whenever possible so you can listen to them. Of course, this isn’t a definitive list, so if some other song has special meaning to you, please contact the rectory as soon as possible to determine if there's enough time to prepare it. Though if it’s not liturgically appropriate according to the principles explained on our Music Planning page, perhaps it may be best enjoyed at the Funeral Home or at a luncheon reception following.

Attached below is a Funeral Music Planning aid you can print out to assist family members in selecting music.

If you are printing a program, the selections here appear as they should be printed, with titles in italics. And we’re happy to proofread it in advance, to ensure your lasting memento is appropriately accurate. So if we can be of further assistance in helping you prepare this liturgy, please contact the rectory at (718) 871-1310.
Hymns of Comfort & Trust
Amazing Grace 
Be Not Afraid 
Come to Me 
Go In Peace
The Lord Is My Light Shepherd Me, O God

Hymns of Resurrection & Eternal Life
Alleulia! Sing to Jesus  (not suitable during Lent)
Dwellers in the Holy City 
How Great Thou Art 
I Am the Bread of Life 
I Know That My Redeemer Lives  (DUKE STREET)
I Know That My Redeemer Lives (R. Soper)
Jerusalem, My Happy Home 
O Lord, You Died That All Might Live (for a military funeral)
Shall We Gather at the River 
Sing with All the Saints in Glory 

Vocal / Instrumental Solos
Adagio for Strings (organ solo)
His Eye Is on the SparrowLa cathédrale engloutie  (piano solo)
There Is a Place (for a child's funeral)
Through the Eyes of Faith 
The Trumpet Shall Sound (requires a separate cantor)

Texts / Melodies From Other Cultures
Irish
An Old Irish Blessing 
In Christ Alone 
Italian
Cristo risusciti
Resta con noi, Signore, la sera 
Latin
Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod) 
Ave Maria (Schubert)
In Paradisum 
Panis Angelicus
Spanish Bilingual
Come to Me, All Who Labor/Vengan a Mí los Agobiados 
El Señor Es Mi Pastor/The Lord Is My Shepherd 

Ċ
Funeral Music Planner.pdf
(95k)
Steven Vaughan,
Sep 26, 2015, 5:16 PM
v.1