Funeral Mass: Song of Farewell and/or Recessional

[mcmitton]

Some masses for which I have played do not include a separate “song of farewell” before the Recessional hymn.

What is the proper sequence after the period of silence following communion? One hymn wherein the casket retreats, followed by the congregation? A period of reflection, song of farewell, after communion but before the recession?

Is there any documentation for support of either way?

Thank you

 

[pianistclare]

I can only say what we do:
We sing the Taize “Jesus Remember Me” during the (in)sensing of the casket.
Then “May the Angels Greet You” as they push the casket out.
Some people ask for a particular hymn instead.
I would ask the Pastor how he likes it done.

 

[Isca]

In our village in Italy last week, an elderly lady who had died on the Saturday had her Funeral Mass at the regular Sunday morning service. The Mass was as normal, except for a few references to her in the homily after the priest had talked about the Gospel reading and some specific prayers - incensing/sprinkling holy water on the coffin took place just before the Benediction. The choir were there (they aren’t always), but they didn’t sing anything they wouldn’t usually include. There are no hymns sung at Mass in our village.

The congregation left before the coffin was taken out and the interment took place immediately after the Mass. It’s the second funeral I’ve been to at Sunday Mass, it’s interesting to see how it’s considered normal to have regular worshippers there and not just family and friends of the deceased. The same applies to weddings, all are welcome!

 

[Miserissima]

The congregation left before the coffin was taken out and the interment took place immediately after the Mass. It’s the second funeral I’ve been to at Sunday Mass, it’s interesting to see how it’s considered normal to have regular worshippers there and not just family and friends of the deceased. The same applies to weddings, all are welcome!

I think this is just the “cat’s meow,” really. It supports the notion that no man is an island, and even if the person had no blood family left, the Church family came and prayed anyway. Too cool.

There used to be a lot of churches with graveyards attached, or next door. My grandfather (CofE) joked that you were carried in for your baptism through the front door, and carried out the back, eventually.

 

[SMHW]

Some masses for which I have played do not include a separate “song of farewell” before the Recessional hymn.

What is the proper sequence after the period of silence following communion? One hymn wherein the casket retreats, followed by the congregation? A period of reflection, song of farewell, after communion but before the recession?

Is there any documentation for support of either way?

Thank you

At funerals at my parish we usually have had both a song of farewell and recessional. But that might be different at funerals where there are not many people left after the casket has been removed.

I don’t know if you would even find such a thing in documents since recessional songs are not necessary to begin with. As far as I know there are no directives that say funerals should end with silence.

 

[Phemie]

We do Dufford’s “May Songs of the Angels Welcome You” while the family removes the pall after the incensing. Then there is a recessional hymn as the casket is wheeled down the aisle and people follow.

 

[SMHW]

We do Dufford’s “May Songs of the Angels Welcome You” while the family removes the pall after the incensing. Then there is a recessional hymn as the casket is wheeled down the aisle and people follow.

That may be closer to what happens at our parish with exception of song of farewell used.

Depending on the family/cantor/accompanist we might have a chanted song of farewell; use the Ernest Sands “Song of Farewell” (“May the Choirs of Angels Come to Greet You”); or use the MacAller/McGrath “May the Angels Be Your Guide”.

 

[Isca]

I think this is just the “cat’s meow,” really. It supports the notion that no man is an island, and even if the person had no blood family left, the Church family came and prayed anyway. Too cool.

There used to be a lot of churches with graveyards attached, or next door. My grandfather (CofE) joked that you were carried in for your baptism through the front door, and carried out the back, eventually.

Yes, the cemetery here is down the hill, everyone who lives in the village is eventually interred there. The coffins are placed in niches above ground, so there’s no need for a gravedigger at short notice! I agree with you about the community coming together, it’s a beautiful thing. The notices of deaths are pasted around the village immediately after a death, so everyone knows when someone has passed away.

The lady was 91 years old, so all the locals knew her. It was quite moving when we went up to receive the Eucharist, as people were touching her coffin and kissing their hands. She was much-loved, the priest said. Her name was Maria, may her soul rest in peace.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

Some masses for which I have played do not include a separate “song of farewell” before the Recessional hymn.

What is the proper sequence after the period of silence following communion? One hymn wherein the casket retreats, followed by the congregation? A period of reflection, song of farewell, after communion but before the recession?

Is there any documentation for support of either way?

Thank you

The Song of Commendation (aka the song of farewell) is only sung during the funeral mass if the Prayers of Commendation (the Rite of Commendation and Farewell) are said during the mass. If those prayers are omitted for some reason, such as if the Rite of Committal at a Crematorium with Final Commendation is to be said elsewhere, than the song is omitted from the funeral mass. The Rite of Commendation and Farewell takes place immediately before the end of the funeral and so is very closely followed by the recessional song.

I cannot provide documentation. I can only speak from experience as a music minister, having served at hundreds of funerals, as I do not own a copy of the Order of Christian Funerals.

 

[mcmitton]

Mary Ellen, thank you. This makes perfect sense.