Need hymn suggestions for funeral mass

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I don’t remember you mentioning a woman a few posts a go who will not deviate from her standards no matter how bad her songs may be. No woman has been mentioned in this thread. Do you have another in mind? Pray tell.

i’m glad you got to have your funeral inside on that day you spoke of.

The worst music i heard in a funeral mass, along with the worst readings was that chosen by the pastor of the chruch. All the most standard, and yes, absolutely the most contemporary music you would want to hear. Benedictal, i cringed at the readings, and i felt very, very sorry for the family who had been so sad at their loss that they had depended on this pastor who had thoroughly and utterly failed them. i was quite embarassed for him.

The next worst funeral mass planning goes to 7 former? Catholic adult children for their VERY Catholic mother. They did a lousy job, having left the church in the 70s, and really having no interest in finding out what was good in the Catholic church to have for the funeral of their mother - though they did love her very dearly.

Many, many good thoughts for the non-Catholic who has worked so hard to find appropriate songs for his grandfather who loved baseball, and had borne with our biting at each other, although Inoticed he quit writing shortly after a few emails of my “Be not afraid” were suggested and Explained by me i don’t think he liked the backbiting he saw gong on In this thread and he moved on.

Benedictal, i am certain you are very good at planning funerals, and if you want to help plan mine, you can. But i have the right to veto. i will do without “Be not afraid.” But i don’t believe i deserve a papal recessional hymn either…

I am well aware that the older music is the better music. There is very little older music left in our humnals. The church wants us to move on to contemporary music, you see.

I suppose monasteries have the good old music. Lucky them. i have heard very little of the older music, and Benedictal, you are right, of course it is better. But there is not to much to pick from and when a loved one dies suddenly, there is that humnal to consult. We have enought bills. We cannot hire you.

Talk to me in private, if you will. I would be happy to plan my funeral ahead of time. it sounds like something you take very seriously and you have a very good background in doing. I do know what my background is. I would be able to pick out the hymne and veto others easily. i could help you immediately in a private email.

That is, if you have gotten over that woman you were mistaken about…
 
When I was a child, the children used to sing at many of the funerals in our parish. The most popular choices were Easter hymns: Alleluia (The Strife is O’er), Jesus Christ is Risen Today (set to “Ode to Joy”) and so on. We sang the Prayer of St. Francis and Panis Angelicus at a lot of funerals. The most common closing/recessional song was probably “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”…that one was my favorite. Those can all be done on a guitar.

For a Catholic who’s over 100, I’d go for those old hymns that were well-loved already in his childhood. Also, although I think “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” might be one that the St. Louis Jesuits did, it is along the same lines…very Resurrection-oriented.

I have friends whose family was Presbyterian and they say that music is hard to sing–lots of octave leaps, I gather. Old chestnut or not, good theology or not…avoid those.
 
You are 100 years old, and we sing “Holy God We Praise the Name” quite regularly at mass, both Sunday, and weekdays. I’m sure we sing it once every two weeks…perhaps that is the song that will remain in our hymnals forever…
 
wgoops about the age, Easterjoy! Of course you meantr the Grandfather!!!
 
Here are the hymns that were chosen. I went with It Is Well With My Soul primarily because it is very familiar to the members of the family who all live in the south, and Gramps spent his winters in Florida and South Carolina, plus the lyrics are beautiful.

I have been impressed with the emotion and steadfastness of those who replied to the post! I have learned much about the Catholic church from my wife and the various priests I have heard. There are numerous things I don’t understand and probably never will, but that’s OK.

I must say that I have been surprised that no one from the Parish has contacted the family to discuss the deceased and his life, much less to offer support and comfort. Is this the norm? From what I know, Gramps had attended Mass in the church for over 50 years (mainly in the spring and summer when he was in town), and it is strange to me that no one has visited with the family. My wife says “that’s just the way it is”, but I guess I’m used to Protestant churches and their way of “business”. I understand folks not bringing food to the house and they have had lots of visitors, calls and flowers, but no contact from the church is a bit strange, isn’t it???

Processional
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/t/pttlta.htm

Communion
Be Thou My Vision
cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/t/btmvison.htm

Meditation
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
(St Columbia tune)
hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh138.sht

Recessional
It Is Well With Soul
cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/i/itiswell.htm
 
pgee said:
I must say that I have been surprised that no one from the Parish has contacted the family to discuss the deceased and his life, much less to offer support and comfort. Is this the norm? From what I know, Gramps had attended Mass in the church for over 50 years (mainly in the spring and summer when he was in town), and it is strange to me that no one has visited with the family. My wife says “that’s just the way it is”, but I guess I’m used to Protestant churches and their way of “business”. I understand folks not bringing food to the house and they have had lots of visitors, calls and flowers, but no contact from the church is a bit strange, isn’t it???
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No, that’s not the norm, at least not as I have experienced it. I am sorry that you did not receive the support you expected.

There is one key difference which may help explain one of your observances — that “no one from the Parish has contacted the family to discuss the deceased and his life.” Whereas the sermons given at funeral services at Protestant churches often include a recap of the person’s life, this is not (or usually should not be) part of the homily at a Catholic funeral Mass. More likely the homily will exhort us to pray for the deceased person and to consider our own mortality (leading us to conversion).

Of course, this does not prevent the pastor from asking about the deceased person’s life as a way to help console the family and help them process their grief. Perhaps the pastor in question does not know the family, is a little reserved or lacking in those skills, or overworked and under stress (not to excuse the omission, but a possible explanation).

Please know that the graces of the Mass offered for the repose of his soul will flow regardless of this oversight. Your grandfather and your loved ones are in my prayers.
 
donmaximuso27 said:
Also, consider “Nearer My God to Thee.” It is a well-written, solemn hymn that can be used as a nice instrumental as well as vocal.
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Pgee, first let me offer my condolences on your loss. What a wonderful gift you have been given to have her this long!

That was always one of my mom’s favorites, so we had it played at her funeral Mass.

I personally want Lord, when You Came to the Seashore.
 
pgee said:
Here are the hymns that were chosen. I went with It Is Well With My Soul primarily because it is very familiar to the members of the family who all live in the south, and Gramps spent his winters in Florida and South Carolina, plus the lyrics are beautiful.

I have been impressed with the emotion and steadfastness of those who replied to the post! I have learned much about the Catholic church from my wife and the various priests I have heard. There are numerous things I don’t understand and probably never will, but that’s OK.

I must say that I have been surprised that no one from the Parish has contacted the family to discuss the deceased and his life, much less to offer support and comfort. Is this the norm? From what I know, Gramps had attended Mass in the church for over 50 years (mainly in the spring and summer when he was in town), and it is strange to me that no one has visited with the family. My wife says “that’s just the way it is”, but I guess I’m used to Protestant churches and their way of “business”. I understand folks not bringing food to the house and they have had lots of visitors, calls and flowers, but no contact from the church is a bit strange, isn’t it???

Processional
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/t/pttlta.htm

Communion
Be Thou My Vision
cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/t/btmvison.htm

Meditation
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
(St Columbia tune)
hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh138.sht

Recessional
It Is Well With Soul
cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/i/itiswell.htm
Click to expand...
When my mother died, most of the parishioners attended both the Rosary and the Mass. Of course, the parish is small, but, very close-knit. I can certainly empathize with the fact that your wife’s grandfather’s parish didn’t make an effort because that it just what happened when my paternal grandmother died.

Now, there is something very important to consider about the Catholic funeral. The homily preached after the Gospel addresses the readings and should not be a eulogy for the decased. Now, there are some who will be quick to point out that the former Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger did just that when he preached at John Paul’s funeral. However, the former Cardinal tied the readings into the life of the Pope and the circumstances were obviously very, very different. This was not your ordinary funeral.

Eulogies are better saved for either the Vigil of the Deceased (or Rosary) or until after the Post-Communion prayer (just before the final commendation). They shouldn’t be long nor drawn out. They should be simple, heartfelt and brief. But, the priest, in his homily, should not use his preaching time for a eulogy.
 
Hi, i just got back from Seattle, and i got a message from Pgee which spotted his hymns. i really like what this man put together for his grandfather. Good job Pgee. I do hope you agree he did a good job, Benedictal. Remember, the lad was not even a Catholic!

As far as the Parish getting involved: i have found that it seems that the person has to have been involved in activities in the church - and the member of said activities are the ones that come around at the time of the funeral.

If you want the priest, of course, you have to tell him. Lucky you, if he has nuns of deacons or other priests to help out, because if they have extra time, they will be there, too.

The parishes in Columbus, Ohio, are pretty bare-boned. A priest and a deacon OR a nun. The pries gets SOMEONE to help with some of the duties he has. You will have to be calling hm when you want him. Don’t expect him to be appearing on your doorstep. He just doeesn’t have time.

Anyway, that is how it is in Catholic parishes in the midwest. It used to be different about 25 years ago. Lots of visitors, parishioners and clergy. Not so, today…
 
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OutinChgoburbs:
Take it easy. She was just posting her opinion…the fineral is over anyway.
 
By the way, I’m sorry for all of the typos in my replies to this thread. I have some neuropathy in my hands, and it is difficult to keep up if I continously try going back to correct the typos. (I found this out in emaiI a long time ago…) I actually can spell and have a good background in
English. I have noted that Benedictal’s writing is superior to mine, but I believe my English is as good as the rest of the members here. I have taken great care not to have typos in this message, and I have corrected many of them. I hope all of you can live with the darn typos in the future - as you have in the past - as this message has taken a great deal of time to write. Thanks.
 
benedictgal said:
You can only imagine how tiring it must be for the priest to have to hear “Pescador de los Hombres” funeral Mass after funeral Mass.
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Well, I told my wife that with my funeral, I would love to hear some of my favorite music. I love “We Three Kings.” I bet that would get the priests attention if he had no clue it was coming:) It would not be tiring in the least…lol

I also told her that she is not to play On Eagles Wings.

In fact, my love of Christmas music is so great that when we planned our daughter’s funeral, I had to specifically promise not to ask for any Christmas music.

For my daughter, we could think of no better song then “Christ Be Our Light.”

Funny how I see that some other parishes don’t do the eulogy. I did do a eulogy (it was after the homily in our parish, to this day I don’t remember if it was after communion or not). Our priest seemed to think it was a good idea and suggested it to us. I could only think of one appropriate scripture for the funeral of a child “Whoever loves son or daughter is not worthy of Me.” I talked about how that fact that Christ was crucified with two thieves that responded to Him in two different ways reflect the two ways we can respond to Christ in a situation such as this.

But I can also see how some could make an absolute mess with a eulogy. It happened with my grandpa, where the guy giving it messed up big details of his life (why would someone unrelated to him be doing this? I wondered?).
 
Are you having a cantor and or a choir?

De Profundis (Psalm 129) by Antonio Salieri is out of this world and not too hard to sing. It would really express the grief so beautifully.

Some of the above suggestions, especially “On Eagle’s Wings” are so kitschy, shallow and superficial and are not even liturgical music appropriate for Holy Mass, much less a Requiem.
 
Leeta said:
Some of the above suggestions, especially “On Eagle’s Wings” are so kitschy, shallow and superficial and are not even liturgical music appropriate for Holy Mass, much less a Requiem.
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Not arguing the melody quality, but the lyrics of “on eagle’s wings” are pretty directly scripture. I would hardly call scripture “shallow and superficial”
 
agapewolf said:
Not arguing the melody quality, but the lyrics of “on eagle’s wings” are pretty directly scripture. I would hardly call scripture “shallow and superficial”
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Of course, one could make that same argument for most of what is in Spirit and Song, but, the way these pieces are performed do not render them suitable for Mass.

Protestant Praise and Worship music, of which 90% of the OCP Spirit and Song is, may be scripturally-based, but, it’s not at all suitable for the Mass. Remember what Pope Benedict said, “Certainly, as far as the liturgy is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another.”

That should be one of the guiding principles in selecing music for not only funeral Masses, but Masses in general.
 
benedictgal said:
Of course, one could make that same argument for most of what is in Spirit and Song, but, the way these pieces are performed do not render them suitable for Mass.

Protestant Praise and Worship music, of which 90% of the OCP Spirit and Song is, may be scripturally-based, but, it’s not at all suitable for the Mass. Remember what Pope Benedict said, “Certainly, as far as the liturgy is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another.”

That should be one of the guiding principles in selecing music for not only funeral Masses, but Masses in general.
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the poster said the song was shallow and superficial. I said i was NOT ARGUING the melody, but the lyrics…which is scriptural. I don’t think anyone would say that about the scriptures.

And spirit and song is not 90% “protestant praise music”, as I have corrected you before. THere are some in there, but most is by Catholic composers.

And the term “protestant priase music” is innaccurate because most of the praise music written by protestants is theologically accurate.

I’ve had to correct you many times before BGAL…keep it up, and I will do it again.
 
agapewolf said:
the poster said the song was shallow and superficial. I said i was NOT ARGUING the melody, but the lyrics…which is scriptural. I don’t think anyone would say that about the scriptures.

And spirit and song is not 90% “protestant praise music”, as I have corrected you before. THere are some in there, but most is by Catholic composers.

And the term “protestant priase music” is innaccurate because most of the praise music written by protestants is theologically accurate.

I’ve had to correct you many times before BGAL…keep it up, and I will do it again.
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No, you are wrong. It is evident that many of OCP’s proponents and, the company staff, have not read Musicam Sacram, let alone Sacramentum Caritatis. Look at the content of the music: it’s all found in those Praise Anthems that they sell on informercials late at night.

The bottom line is that this music is not at all sacred and not at all fitting for the Mass, funeral or otherwise. Just because you have an affinity for it doesn’t make it the universal standard. Might I remind you that this kind of music was something that the Fathers of the 2005 Synod on the Eucharist found very problematic. However, you choose to ignore that fact.

You seem to only rely on your feelings rather than what the documents of the Holy See have said on the matter.
 
benedictgal said:
No, you are wrong. It is evident that many of OCP’s proponents and, the company staff, have not read Musicam Sacram, let alone Sacramentum Caritatis. Look at the content of the music: it’s all found in those Praise Anthems that they sell on informercials late at night.

The bottom line is that this music is not at all sacred and not at all fitting for the Mass, funeral or otherwise. Just because you have an affinity for it doesn’t make it the universal standard. Might I remind you that this kind of music was something that the Fathers of the 2005 Synod on the Eucharist found very problematic. However, you choose to ignore that fact.

You seem to only rely on your feelings rather than what the documents of the Holy See have said on the matter.
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I’m wrong about what exactly? Do the math…they are written by mostly catholic composers…there are only a few from CCLI

I have not “ignored” anything. Stop with the emotional insults B-Gal. I’m merely stating facts here,. I haven’t argued ANYTHING for the use of the liturgy. You are bringing in arguments here that don’t belong.

I was arguing the lyrics were scriptural…simply that, nothing else. You are the one that brought in the arugment about suitable for the liturgy. I wasn’t talking about that at all.

And as I said before, CCLI stuff , mostly, is not against Catholic doctrine. I stand by that too.
 
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