Catholic Funerals Hymns
Hymns for Catholic Funerals
Birth, life, death. The cycle is endless. In the Catholic Church, a Funeral Mass is a celebration of of the deceased entering into the joys of heaven. Music plays a vital role in the Funeral Liturgy. New and Traditional Catholic Hymns can be woven together to create a powerful reminder of God’s infinite love and care for us. The selections below come from mostly later and familiar Catholic Hymns (1970’s and up) along with a few more Traditional Hymns. Here is a brief outline of some typical Catholic Mass Music selections for a Catholic Funeral that can be used:
Prelude (Before Mass): Canon in D, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Entrance Hymns: Be Not Afraid, Amazing Grace, I Am the Bread of Life
Psalm: 19, Your Words are Spirit and Life; 23, Shepherd Me, O God,; 25, To You, O Lord; 27, The Lord is My Light
Presentation: Ave Maria, You Are Near, Here I Am, Lord, Ave Verum
Communion: One Bread, One Body, On Eagles Wings, Taste and See
Closing (if Song of Farewell is not used) : Ode to Joy, How Great Thou Art, The Water is Wide
Please note: This is a starting point. There are many choices and options you can use depending on what speaks to you at this time. Consult with your Priest and Music/Liturgy team to see what is allowed in your parish. Some are more restrictive than others. At Resurrection, I tend to blend old and new. I frequently use Mercy Me’s I Can Only Imagine and have also done a program of all Contemporary Christian songs for the funeral of a child. Every situation is different,
Below are some examples of some of the songs mentioned above. Just scroll through the albums and samples are available.
Till next time…
Jon Sarta
Jon Sarta is a Pianist, Composer, Vocalist, and Recording Artist from Clermont, Florida in the greater Orlando area. Currently the Director of Music and Liturgy at Resurrection Catholic Church in Winter Garden, he has served in the music ministry as a Director and Associate Director of Music in the Catholic Church since 1990. He is best known for lively, inspirational interpretations with an influence of Blues, Gospel and Jazz Piano and having a unique ability to get congregations to fully participate in the celebration of the liturgy.
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