We've a funeral during Lent what music can we have?

There is often a surprise for those organising a Roman Catholic funeral during Lent. The choice of music can be somewhat limited or even non-existent.
True, some priests can request no music at all in the church in the lead up to Easter.

So what do you do? 

I called the Catholic Church to find out.
The Catholic Faith office gave me this advice:

• all music needs to have a Christian message
• each parish priest has the option to be selective or have no music at all
  

If the parish priest is happy to have music during the Lenten period we do have a number of religious solos that are suitable and of course the hymns.

Here are a few of the religious solos and hymns that are suitable for the Roman Catholic Church

Abide with me
All things bright and beautiful - This is a different version
As I kneel before you
Ave Maria - By Schubert
Ave Maria - by Gounod
Ave Verum Corpus - suitable for during communion
Go, silent friend - sung to the tune of Danny Boy
Here I am, Lord
I watch the sunrise lighting the sky
I will be with you
Laudate Dominum
May the road rise to meet you - The Irish Blessing
On Eagle's Wings
One bread one body
Panis Angelicus
Piè Jesu - by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Piè Jesu - by Fauré
Sancte Deus - vocal version of Elgar's 'Nimrod'
The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord is my shepherd - by Howard Goodall, it was used as the theme tune for the television show The Vicar of Dibley.

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In a previous blog about music in the Catholic Church 'What music at RC funerals', Our Lady of Lourdes church seemed to have hit on the answer to this dilemma, which is to have a singer at the graveside.

We love doing this. We have recently sung at a number of gravesides and it was very popular with the families and mourners as a welcome addition to the ceremony, creating a very personal send off.

Thank you it was a wonderful send of for mum. Your voice resounding throughout the cemetery. A wonderful gift. Thanks once again.

KB, mother’s funeral, Hither Green Cemetery

Singing in church and at the graveside

We've also sung in church first, either leading the hymns and singing a religious solo such as Schubert's 'Ave Maria' or Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Pie Jesu'. Then driven on to the cemetery to sing a popular song or family favourite by the graveside such as 'You raise me up'.

We have a discreet portable backing track system which means we have professional accompaniment and can sing at the graveside without any difficulty (even under an umbrella if necessary).

We're always happy to discuss how we can help celebrate a loved one's life and make the funeral service a personal event. Give us a call to see how we could help.

Everyone was completely mesmerised by your singing and we could not have asked for anything more. I still have goose bumps now remembering how you sung 'Pie Jesu' and 'Ave Maria', as well as  all the hymns you led and sang beautifully.

SS, father’s funeral, St Joesph’s Catholic church, Maidenhead