Holy Rosary Cathedral
3125 13th Avenue, Regina, SK S4T 1P3
tel. 306 565 0909  fax 306.522.6526
e-mail holyrosary@accesscomm.ca

Music for Funerals and Memorial Services:
Some Suggestions for Families

This document aims to help you plan funeral music by providing an outline of the liturgy and some suggestions for musical selections. Feel free to print it out. Paper copies of the document are also available from the Cathedral office (for address, see above). A brief description of the funeral liturgy can be found in Catholic Book of Worship III, number 10.

If you intend to produce a service leaflet for those attending the funeral, a sample is available in both Word for Windows format and Adobe .pdf format. To download the Word document, click here. To download the .pdf document, click here. The latter requires Adobe's free Acrobat Reader©. If you need this software, click on the icon below.

Parts of the liturgy at which selections of music can be made are set out below in blue type. The guiding principle of choice is to enable the family and guests to participate fully in the sung parts of the funeral liturgy. If you anticipate a large number of non-Catholic friends at the funeral, it is good to choose hymns that are familiar to Catholic and non-Catholic alike. In the list of suggestions at the end of this webpage, such hymns are asterisked (*).

It is customary to have a cantor to sing the responsorial psalm and gospel acclamation, and to lead the other acclamations and songs; the organist arranges for one to sing at the funeral unless instructed not to do so. If the family does not wish a cantor to sing, the responsorial psalm and song of farewell (see below) are said, and the gospel acclamation is omitted.

All numbers in this pamphlet refer to Catholic Book of Worship III. Because that book is already in the pews at the Cathedral, it is convenient to select music for the congregation from it. Alternatively, a family member or friend can distribute copies of Glory and Praise to people as they arrive, and collect the books afterward.

Organ Prelude

There are 20 minutes of music before the funeral begins. Selections are generally made from the music of Bach (appropriate chorale preludes from the Orgelbüchlein), Pachelbel (the Fugues on the Magnificat), Franck (Prélude, fugue et variation, Cantabile), Vierne (various works, including the Méditation from Trois Improvisations, transcribed by Duruflé), Widor (quiet movements from Symphonies I, IV, V), and Dupré (various works, including the Prelude and Fugue in f, op 7/2). Other favourites include Rhosymedre (Ralph Vaughan Williams), Récit de tièrce en taille (Nicholas de Grigny), Master Tallis' Testament (Herbert Howells), Cantilene (Malcolm Archer), and various quiet pieces by Denis Bédard.

Opening Rites

Before the funeral, the casket is placed near the main entrance of the Cathedral. As the funeral Mass begins, the procession (accompanied by instrumental music) enters from the Sacristy and proceeds down the main aisle. The officiating priest blesses the casket with holy water, and places the pall upon it. The procession into the church then begins.

Processional Hymn (see list of suitable hymns below)

This is sung by all during the procession. It is especially important to choose a familiar song (e.g., 406, 480, 490, 511, 565, 644, etc.) here so that people are encouraged from the beginning of the liturgy to participate in the singing.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading

Generally taken from the Old Testament, this reading is chosen in consultation with the officiating priest.

Responsorial Psalm

The choice of responsorial psalm is influenced by the choice of readings from Scripture. Please consult with the officiating priest. The responsorial psalm is sung by cantor and congregation. If no cantor is present, the psalm is read rather than sung. In this case, it is customary for the person who reads the First Reading to read the psalm. Here are some suggested musical settings of responsorial psalms appropriate to funeral and memorial liturgies.

16 To you, O Lord (Ps 25)

20 Justice will flourish (Ps 72)

47 May your love be upon us (Ps 33)

51 Lord, you have the words (Ps 19)

53 The Lord is my shepherd (Ps 23 - Proulx)

84 Like the deer that yearns (Ps 42)

119 Teach me your ways (Ps 25)

126 In the sight of the angels (Ps 138)

130 The Lord is compassion & love (Ps 103)

133 Rest in God alone (Ps 62)

148 Forever I will sing (Ps 89)

158 The Lord is my shepherd (Ps 23 - Wood)

167 Taste and see (Ps 34)

181 The Lord is compassion (Ps 103)

193 In the Lord’s own house (Ps 23 - Young)

211 The Lord is my shepherd (Ps 23 - Proulx)

225 Lord, this is the people (Ps 24)

225A The Lord is compassion (Ps 103)

598 Gentle Shepherd (Ps 23)

607 The Lord is my shepherd (Ps 23 - Somerville)

Second Reading

Taken from the New Testament, this reading is chosen in consultation with the officiating priest.

Gospel Acclamation

This is sung responsorially by cantor and congregation. If no cantor is present, the gospel acclamation is omitted. Here are some suggestions:

247 Isele

248 Gregorian

249 Murray

256 Haugen

257 Peloquin

260 Somerville (during Lent)

261 Marchildon (during Lent)

262 Proulx (during Lent)

263 Haugen (during Lent)

549A Celtic

Funeral versicles for the gospel acclamation can be found at 696.

Gospel

This is chosen in consultation with the officiating priest, who proclaims it at the funeral liturgy.

Homily

This is given by the officiating priest.

Prayers of Intercession

Though they can be sung (see CBW 266-275), these are generally read by a family member or friend, with the congregation responding "Lord, hear our prayer" after each petition.

 

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation of the Gifts

Because the Offertory at funerals is very brief, there are generally a few moments of quiet instrumental music, or a brief solo such as the Gregorian In Paradisum, Fauré’s Pie Jesu or Rutter’s Gaelic Blessing. If a congregational hymn is desired, the list below provides a number of suitable choices.

Eucharistic Prayer

During the Eucharistic prayer, four Eucharistic acclamations are normally sung. Suggestions for musical settings well known locally follow below. If desired, all the Eucharistic acclamations can be said rather than sung.

Holy

278A Dufford

280A Isele

283A Somerville

Memorial Acclamation

278B Cooney (during Lent)

279C Haugen

280C (during Lent)

283B Somerville

283C Somerville (during Lent)

 

Great Amen

278D Dufford (outside Lent)

279D Haugen

 

Lord’s Prayer

At funerals, the Lord’s Prayer is nearly always said rather than sung. If it is to be sung, see the settings at 287 (Somerville) or 299F (Gregorian/Latin). It should be noted that these settings are unfamiliar to many.

Lamb of God

288 Somerville

293 Isele

Communion Hymn

See the list below for possible choices. For small funerals it is possible to omit the communion hymn and have instrumental music or a short sung solo instead.

Final commendation and Farewell

Song of Farewell

This is sung by cantor and congregation during the incensing of the casket. 10A is the setting most familiar to people, though other choices are possible.

10A I Know That My Redeemer Lives

10B Saints of God

10C Songs of the Angels

647 I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Recessional Hymn

This final song accompanies the procession of casket and family out of the Cathedral. See the list below for possible choices.

After the funeral

Postlude

An organ postlude is played after the recessional hymn has been sung and while guests are leaving. This can be quiet and meditative, or majestic and imposing, as the family desires.

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