“Music is integral to the funeral rites. It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that words alone may fail to convey. It has the power to console and uplift the mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith and love.”

(Order of Christian Funerals, 30)

 

The selection of music for the funeral liturgy is often a sensitive and sometimes difficult process for bereaved families, parish musicians, and pastoral staff. The choice of music for Christian funerals must be in accord with all the recommendations governing music in liturgy, especially those found in the Order for Christian Funerals, Liturgical Music Today and Music in Catholic Worship.

 

There are three standards of judgment proposed in Music in Catholic Worship. The liturgical judgment: is the music’s text, form, placement and style congruent with the nature of the liturgy? (MCW 30-38) The musical judgment: is the music technically, aesthetically and expressively good irrespective of musical idiom or style? (MCW 26-29) The pastoral judgment: will it help this assembly to pray? (MCW 39-41)

 

Special music such as secular favorites of the deceased or recorded music may be utilized only at the vigil and not at the Funeral Mass.

 

Musical Options Information

 

Comments, Questions, please contact Barbara Pinto-Choate at 925-447-1585 ext 18 or email her