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Planning music for funerals

Funeral services are usually quite loosely structured to allow the family to make the occasion very personalized, with tributes and remembrances. There is therefore ample scope for music, anthems and also instrumental music, if appropriate.

What music is there at a funeral?
A funeral service normally contains music:
 

	as the coffin is brought into the church (optional)
	the funeral psalm (Psalm 23), or similar in its place
	interspersed between the readings and tributes
	after the final commendation

How do we start to choose the music?

Funerals can include a wide variety of music, but your preferences need to be discussed with your minister or priest.

Choose hymns that are meaningful for you and check all the words, not just the first verse. If there are alternative tunes, discuss your preferred one. Bear in mind, that music at funeral services does not have to be solemn - music expressing hope and faith as well as sorrow can be included. You may also choose to celebrate your loved one's memories in a manner befitting their life.

How many music items are there?
A typical funeral needs the following:
 

	Two or three hymns, including (for example) a hymn version of Psalm 23
	Music to be played (or sung by the choir) as the priest speaks the opening sentences
	anthems or solos as appropriate
	music as the coffin leaves the church

How do we organize it all?
Funerals are often arranged at very short notice. MUSICTemps offers the widest musical possibilities for you to chose from (we require 48 hours notice). Some people even plan in advance for their funeral service and may have expressed certain preferences with regard to the music. Funerals should by no means always be dull and dreary occasions, but it is always best, if in doubt, to err on the side of dignity.

What do we do next?

Contact MUSICTemps for further information on fees, availability and repertoire. Please include the time of day and date of the funeral in your message.

We are very happy to help you with suggestions of music, and can liaise with your church's Music Director to ensure the funeral goes smoothly and the planning is made easy.

Call or Email us for quote and availability

Musical Suggestions for Christian Last Rites

Hymns and Songs

Worship: Gather  Additional Songs  Songs of Farewell  Processional  Recessional Songs  Incidental Music

520 All Creatures of Our God and King
737 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
538 Amazing Grace
466 Christ Is Alive!
496 Crown Him with Many Crowns
734 Eat This Bread
705 For All The Saints
524 Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
485 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
737 I Am the Bread of Life
607 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
445 I Know that My Redeemer Lives
735 I Received the Living God
510 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
442 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
423 Jesus, Remember Me
525 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You
704 Lift High the Cross
568 Lord of All Hopefulness
541 O God beyond All Praising
579 O God, Our Help in Ages Past
530 Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
467 Sing with All the Saints in Glory
497 To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
572 We Walk by Faith
706 Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
736 You Satisfy the Hungry Heart
Dear Lord and Father of mankind
The Lord is my shepherd
Lord of all hopefulness
I heard the voice of Jesus say
All my hope on God is founded
Christ, enthroned in highest heaven
God be in my head (can also be performed as an anthem)
Jesus, Son of Mary
Now is eternal life
Jesus lives! thy terrors now
Abide with me
O strength and stay upholding all creation

 

Gather: Worship Additional Songs  Songs of Farewell  Processional  Recessional Songs  Incidental Music

263 Be Not Afraid
284 Blest Are They
264 Blest Be the Lord
251 Center of My Life
341 Eat This Bread
291 Here I Am, Lord
337 I Am the Bread of Life
208 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
261 On Eagle's Wings
285 The Servant Song
338 Taste and See (Moore)
249 We Remember
      The Lord's Prayer

 

Additional Songs: Worship  Gather Songs of Farewell  Processional Recessional Songs Incidental Music

Love One Another - Bob Dufford, S.J.
How Great Thou Art
Magnificat - James Chepponis
The Long Day Closes (Sullivan)
Danny Boy
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton

 

Songs of Farewell:Worship Gather  Additional Songs  Processional Recessional Songs Incidental Music

Saints of God, come to his/her aid!
l Worship 175
I Know that My Redeemer Lives  by G. F. Handel
l Worship 176
 

Processional
Adagio in G  by Tomaso Albinoni
Adagio for Strings  by Samuel Barber
 

Recessional Song
May the Angels Lead You into Paradise    by H. Hughes, S. J.
In Paradisum (Chant - Mode VII) or an appropriate hymn

Incidental Music
Ave Maria   by Bach/Gounod
Ave Maria   by Franz Schubert
Ave Verum   by W. A. Mozart
How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings   by Samuel Liddle
Panis Angelicus   by Cesar Franck