Funerals - what music do I choose?

Here I'll answer all of the big questions you might have about selecting funeral music and put your mind at ease

Whether expected or not, a loss of a family member, friend or loved one is a time of great mourning and sorrow. So many arrangements have to be made so quickly - contacting people, enlisting a funeral director, holding a wake, finding a priest for the funeral ceremony. Selecting music for the funeral is one more item on the list, and one that should be made as easy as possible to get sorted. Here are a few questions you may have that I'll answer below:

"What type of music should I look for?"

This is entirely your choice. I primarily offer:

• organ music

• solo piano music

• piano and vocals

• piano and another musician

If one of the attendees wishes to play or sing for the funeral too, I'll get in touch with them before the ceremony to make sure we're both playing the same music, and rehearse before the ceremony begins.

​

"How many pieces do I have to choose?"

This depends on the type of ceremony. Below are the events in each ceremony that typically require music.

1. Funeral Mass

(a) Entrance hymn (as the. pallbearers bring the coffin into the church). 

(b) Responsorial psalm (after the first reading). 

(c) Offertory hymn (where the collection is taken). 

(d) Holy Communion hymn. 

(e) Recessional hymn (as the pallbearers carry out the coffin). 

​

2. Church of Ireland Funeral Service

Note: Church of Ireland funeral services feature more congregational singing than Roman Catholic funerals Masses. The congregation sings all hymns apart from the processional and recessional.

​

(a) Processional (as the pallbearers bring the coffin into the church). This is played, or sung, by the musician only.

(b) Opening hymn (after the priest greets the congregation)

(c) Psalm (after the first reading)

(d) Offertory hymn (after the priest delivers the sermon/homily). This is sometimes omitted.

(e) Closing hymn (often after the eulogy)

(f) Recessional (as the pallbearers carry out the coffin). This is played, or sung, by the musician only.

​

3. Humanist Ceremony

(a) A piece for when the coffin is brought in.

(b) A piece or two, depending on the wishes of the family, throughout the ceremony.

(c) A piece for when the coffin is brought out.

​

You may wish to include another (secular) piece of music that is personal to the deceased, or to their family/loved ones. This can be included at any point, typically near the end, of any of these ceremonies, but make sure to discuss this with the celebrant first.

​

"What songs are appropriate?"

The range of songs normally chosen for funerals is relatively narrow. 

​

Hymns

Abide With Me

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Amazing Grace

Be Thou My Vision/Lord Of All Hopefulness (these share the same tune)

How Great Thou Art

Morning Has Broken

The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Has Ended

​

Psalms

Be Not Afraid

Here I Am Lord

May Your Love Be Upon Us, O Lord

On Eagles' Wings

The Lord's My Shepherd

​

Other songs

In the Arms of an Angel - Sarah McLachlan

My Way - Frank Sinatra

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton

Time to Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman

You Raise Me Up​