Planning Music for a Funeral at
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
If you're planning the funeral Mass for a loved one or preplanning your own, we invite you to use the resources below to help choose music that reflects the solemn and communal act of celebrating a funeral Mass. If you aren't sure of what to select for a particular part of the liturgy, don't worry! Our musicians will be able to fill in with appropriate music to create a beautiful liturgy.
If you have questions along the way, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our Music Coordinator.
CHOOSING MUSIC:
If you are planning a funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Valley, please make sure you've contacted our office and have discussed the arrangements with Father Perez. You'll have the opportunity to choose readings and a psalm at that time.
There are several points during the Mass where music can be selected. It's important to note that, during the Mass, music must be a sacred reflection of the sacrifice of the Mass. If you'd like something that isn't listed below, please discuss it with the Music Coordinator to be sure it is appropriate for the Mass and the musicians are ready to offer your selection. Generally speaking, if something is appropriate at a regular Sunday Mass, it would also be appropriate for a funeral liturgy. Any other selections might be better as prelude music or offered at the funeral home or grave-side.
Entrance Hymn:
This is a liturgical moment that encourages all present to participate. We encourage you to choose something here that most people would be able to sing together. We usually keep our entrance hymns short, singing one or two verses. Some options to consider are:
- Amazing Grace
- Be Thou My Vision
- Christ Be Beside Me
- The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
- Let All Things Now Living
- Sing With All The Saints In Glory
You can also choose a hymn that isn't listed here. Just let us know what you'd like and we'll try to accomodate.
Preparation of the Gifts
During this time, while Father is preparing the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist, we offer a song of praise and comfort. This can be something everyone can sing or you might choose to have something instrumental or have the cantor sing a solo. Below, we have marked the songs as (C) communal, (I) instrumental, and/or (S) solo. If a song has more than one designation, you would choose in advance how you'd like it to be presented.
- (C)(I) Amazing Grace
- (C)(I) How Great Thou Art
- (C)(I)(S) Be Still And Know That I Am God
- (C)(I) Here I Am, Lord
- (C) Be Not Afraid
- (C)(S) I Am The Bread Of Life
- (C)(I)(S) Holy God We Praise Thy Name
- (C)(I) Come To Me
- (S) Ave Maria (Schubert)
- (C)(I) It Is Well With My Soul
- (C) Eye Has Not Seen
Communion:
While those present are taking communion, and while Father cleans the vessels afterward, we can offer an appropriate hymn.
- Bread of Angels
- This Is Jesus
- Come Christ's Beloved
- Taste And See
- I Am The Bread Of Life
- Gift of Finest Wheat
- Take and Eat
- Ubi Caritas
Recessional:
Anything appropriate at a Sunday Mass would be appropriate here. You can use any of the suggestions for Entrance Hymns here, something suggested below, or any favorite hymn.
- Go In Peace To Love And Serve The Lord
- I Know That My Redeemer Lives
- Joyful, Joyful
- Immaculate Mary
- Hosea (Come Back To Me)
- Precious Lord, Take My Hand