The information in this section will offer some music suggestions for a Catholic Funeral.
This list will hopefully give you a few ideas. It is not an official list of approved music and does not include every possible hymn.
The wishes of a dead person are always the first starting point – wishes which may have been written down or be otherwise known because the deceased had a favourite hymn or hymns.
O the love of my Lord
Go, silent friend
Be still and know I am with you
Be not afraid
I am the bread of life
How great thou art
Jesu, son of Mary
Like a child rests
There is a longing in our hearts
Unless a grain of wheat
On eagle’s wings
Yahweh, I know you are near
We walk by faith
Thine be the glory
Be thou my vision
Abide with me
For all the saints
All my hope on God is founded
Firmly I believe and truly
Lead, kindly light
Guide me, O thou great redeemer
O Jesus, I have promised
Soul of my Saviour
Now the green blade riseth
Lord of all hopefulness
Praise to the holiest in the height
O God, our help in ages past
Praise we our God with joy
Sing with all the saints in glory
I heard the voice of Jesus say
*Text taken from Into Your Hands: planning a Catholic funeral, readings and prayers
© 1999 Liturgy Office of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, published by Decani Books (0845 456 8392)
In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful
Jesus, remember me
Bless the Lord, my soul
O Christe, Domine Jesu
O Lord, hear my prayer
As in many places on Sundays, to have a Responsorial Psalm sung, a singer will be needed.
Some modern psalm settings are:
Requires a singer
Psalm 22(23): Because the Lord is my shepherd (Walker)
or Shepherd me, O God (Haugen)
Psalm 41(42): As the deer longs (Hurd) or
O God. for you I long (Farrell)
Psalm 62(63): Your love is finer
than life (Haugen)
If there is no singer available, these psalm may be sung by everybody present as a hymn or song:
Psalm 102(103): Praise, my soul,
the King of heaven
Psalm 22(23): The Lord’s my
shepherd
or The king of love my shepherd is
Psalm 41(42): As longs the deer
The Gospel Acclamation is important as it prepares everyone to listen to the Gospel. Most people will know the Easter (or Paschal) alleluia and if there is someone to start it off, the organist or the priest, will join in. In Lent the Gospel Acclamation is not Alleluia but ‘Praise to you O Christ, King of eternal glory’ or a similar verse.
The Holy, Holy, Memorial Acclamation and Great Amen should be sung at Mass if at all possible.
Saints of God (MFR, nos. 21 & 44)
May the choirs of angels
I know that my redeemer lives (MFR, Laudate)
May God the Father look on you (Laudate)
May flights of angels (MFR)
May choirs of angels welcome you (MFR)
In paradisum (Latin Requiem)
May the angels lead you into paradise (MFR)
Text taken from Into Your Hands: planning a Catholic funeral, readings and prayers © 1999 Liturgy Office of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, published by Decani Books (0845 456 8392) https://www.decanimusic.co.uk/product/into-your-hands/
With thanks to the Liturgy Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales – http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/
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