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Sacred music for a Catholic Funeral

Music for funerals is rich in tradition, beauty, and simplicity. Sacred texts and sounds should hold pride of place. While favorite popular songs may have emotional meaning to the deceased and the family, this type of music is often not appropriate for Mass, and can be used at another more suitable time, such as the wake.

The Roman Missal, Order of Christian Funerals, and other liturgical books provide specific sung prayers for funerals.  While hymns are an option, care should be taken that they do not replace these beautiful prayers for the dead.
 

Sung prayers for Funerals (Mass propers)
 

Entrance Antiphon

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them."
Sung during the Entrance Procession

Psalm

"The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want." or another approved Funeral Psalm from the Lectionary.
Sung after the 1st reading.  No song or hymn may replace the Psalm.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

"‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
Sung after the 2nd reading

Offertory Antiphon

"O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of the departed faithful from suffering..."
Sung at the Offertory; a hymn may also be sung.

Communion Antiphon

"May eternal light shine upon them, O Lord, in the company of your saints for eternity, for you are full of goodness."
Begun while the priest is receiving Communion; a hymn may also be sung.

Song of Farewell

"Saints of God, come to their aid, come to meet them, angels of the Lord! Receive their soul presenting them to God the Most High."
Sung during the incensation of the body.

In Paradisum

"May angels lead you into paradise; may martyrs welcome you and take you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem."
Optionally sung as a recessional or burial procession.

Additional Settings of the Funeral Propers

Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB
Simple English Propers - Adam Bartlett
Simple Choral Gradual - Richard Rice

Sung Mass Ordinary

The 2011 Roman Missal contains the Mass Setting for Funerals/Weekdays of Lent. Its simplicity and beauty is most appropriate and can be easily sung by all.

SUGGESTED FUNERAL MUSIC FOR CONSECRATED VIRGINS

OTHER SACRED MUSIC FOR FUNERALS

In addition to the Mass Propers, which hold pride of place, there are many other God-centered pieces of music for Funerals. 
Care should be taken that hymns do not replace the proper texts, which are prayers for the deceased.