Catholic Funeral Hymns and Songs, by Moment

Music carries a lot of the weight at a Catholic funeral. People who can't follow the prayers will still sing "Amazing Grace," and a well-chosen hymn at Communion can say what nobody at the ambo manages to. This guide walks through the funeral Mass moment by moment, with hymns that are widely used at each point.

One thing first: talk to your parish music director early. Most parishes have a cantor or organist who plays funerals every week, a list of what their people know, and a few local rules. They will also handle the practical side, including copyright licensing for anything printed in the program. Bring the list below to that conversation.

Gathering and entrance

The funeral Mass begins at the church door, where the priest greets the family and sprinkles the casket with holy water as a reminder of baptism. A hymn usually accompanies the procession up the aisle. Choose something most people can sing, since this is the moment the whole assembly joins in for the first time.

• "Be Not Afraid" by Bob Dufford, SJ
• "The King of Love My Shepherd Is", Henry Williams Baker's paraphrase of Psalm 23
• "Lord of All Hopefulness", text by Jan Struther, usually sung to the Irish tune SLANE
• "Amazing Grace", text by John Newton
• "Here I Am, Lord" by Dan Schutte

Responsorial Psalm

The psalm after the first reading is part of the Liturgy of the Word, and the Church prefers that it be sung. A cantor sings the verses and the assembly sings a short refrain. It should be one of the psalms approved for funerals; see the full list on our funeral readings page and the background on the Responsorial Psalm.

Families often pick a sung setting of Psalm 23. A favorite is Marty Haugen's "Shepherd Me, O God". Settings of Psalm 27 ("The Lord is my light and my salvation"), Psalm 103 ("The Lord is kind and merciful"), and Psalm 63 are also common. Your music director will know which settings the parish already sings.

A hymn that only paraphrases a psalm, like "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," generally isn't used in place of the Responsorial Psalm. It fits better at the entrance or Communion.

Gospel Acclamation

Before the Gospel the assembly stands and sings the Gospel Acclamation, usually an Alleluia with a short verse. During Lent the Alleluia is not sung, even at a funeral. A different acclamation takes its place, such as "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory." If the funeral falls in Lent, the musicians will make that change; it just affects what you print in the program.

Preparation of the Gifts

While the altar is prepared and the bread and wine are brought forward, there is room for a hymn or a solo. This is also where many families place a piece sung by a soloist rather than the congregation.

• "Ave Maria", in either the Schubert setting or the Bach and Gounod version
• "On Eagle's Wings" by Michael Joncas
• "How Great Thou Art", from a Swedish hymn by Carl Boberg, in Stuart K. Hine's English version
• "Prayer of St. Francis" ("Make Me a Channel of Your Peace") by Sebastian Temple
• "Hosea", the gentle "come back to me" hymn many parishes know from the 1970s

Communion

The Communion Rite can run long at a well-attended funeral, so plan for a hymn with enough verses, or two pieces back to back. Eucharistic hymns fit best here.

• "I Am the Bread of Life" by Suzanne Toolan, RSM. It ends with the promise "I will raise you up," which is why it appears at so many funerals.
• "You Are Mine" by David Haas
• "Shepherd Me, O God", if it was not already used for the psalm
• "Eye Has Not Seen" by Marty Haugen
• "Abide With Me", text by Henry Francis Lyte, often used as a quiet hymn after Communion

Final Commendation and Song of Farewell

After the Prayer after Communion (and any words of remembrance), the priest goes to the casket or urn for the final commendation. He invites everyone to pray in silence, the casket may be sprinkled and incensed, and then comes the Song of Farewell. It has a specific job. The text is a prayer that the saints and angels come to meet the person who has died, and the rite intends it to be sung by the whole assembly.

Common choices

• "Saints of God", the traditional text that begins "Saints of God, come to his (her) aid." It exists in several musical settings.
• "I Know That My Redeemer Lives", in one of the settings written as a Song of Farewell. Several exist, so confirm which one your parish uses.
• Other farewell songs your parish knows. Many musicians have a setting they use every week.

Some parishes sing the Salve Regina ("Hail, Holy Queen") at the end of the funeral, often right before or after the casket leaves. It's a beloved custom, but it isn't the Song of Farewell itself. If you want it, ask where it fits.

Recessional: "In Paradisum"

As the casket is carried out of the church, the rite provides an antiphon known by its Latin opening, In Paradisum. In English it begins "May the angels lead you into paradise." It may be sung in Gregorian chant, in English, or in a choral setting (the one in Fauré's Requiem is well known). It's one of the oldest and most moving parts of the Catholic funeral, and many music directors will suggest it before you ask.

Some families follow it, or replace it, with a closing hymn sung as people leave. Popular choices include "How Great Thou Art," "Amazing Grace," "Be Not Afraid," and "On Eagle's Wings." The rite also allows psalms or other suitable songs during the procession, so there is flexibility here.

Can we play a secular song?

Usually not during the Mass. Music at the funeral liturgy is meant to be prayer: it expresses the faith of the Church and its hope in the resurrection. A pop song, a show tune, or "the song from their wedding" may mean a great deal to the family, but it generally isn't permitted in the liturgy, and the US bishops' guidance on music in worship says the same thing. Parishes differ somewhat on borderline cases like patriotic songs or some folk hymns, so ask.

There are good places for those songs, though:

• The vigil or wake, before or after the prayers
• A slideshow at the funeral home or the reception
• The reception or luncheon after the burial
• The drive to the cemetery

Families are often glad of the arrangement. At the reception, people can listen properly and react to the song, which is hard to do when it's squeezed into the middle of Mass.

A few practical notes

• Choose singable music. Grieving people sing quietly. Familiar hymns in a comfortable key help the assembly pray.
• Mind the soloist count. One or two solo pieces are plenty. Too many turn the Mass into a recital and leave the congregation with nothing to do.
• Outside musicians. If a family friend wants to sing or play, ask the parish first. Many allow it, but they may want to meet the musician or have their own organist accompany.
• Printed words. If the program includes hymn texts, the parish usually covers reprint permission through a license such as OneLicense. Confirm before you print full lyrics. Listing the titles alone is always fine.

Putting the hymns in your program

Once the music director has signed off, put the titles in the program so people can find them in the hymnal. Our funeral program builder has places for the entrance, offertory, Communion, and recessional hymns, alongside your readings and the order of service. If you're still working on the rest, see how to plan a Catholic funeral, choosing funeral readings, and our guide to giving a eulogy at a Catholic funeral.