Music for a Funeral or Memorial Mass

There is a vast selection of hymns and Responsorial psalms from which to choose funeral and memorial Masses. The music selections below serve as a place to begin in preparation for a Funeral or Memorial Mass. There will also be a representative from the parish ready assist you!

Director of Music, John Anthony Volpe, M.Th. javolpay@gmail.com 

Prior to consulting with the Director of Music we invite you to follow the links below and listen to the recordings of sample music selections. This list contains liturgically suitable suggestions and where in the program they would appear. The list is by no means exhaustive, it is a sampling of music to get you started with some ideas.

There are fees for the organist/pianist, cantor/psalmist and instrumentalists (where selected) who will serve at a funeral Mass. The Director of Music has the first right of refusal for himself or other parish organists for all funerals held at Saint Mary – Saint Catherine of Siena. If an outside organist is requested the Director of Music will approve the guest organist and will receive a bench fee in keeping with the Parish Funeral Policy and the Code of Professional Development of the American Guild of Organists. Please email the Director of Music for a schedule of current fees.

Samples of Music for Funeral and Memorial Mass.

Please choose one music selection for each of the following parts of the Mass:

a) Gathering (start of Mass) and Sending Forth (end of Mass),

b) Hymns at the Presentation of the Gifts,

c) Communion Hymns, and

d) Responsorial Psalms.

Gathering and Sending Forth Hymns  

All Creatures of Our God and King, (not to be sung during Lent)Draper.

Amazing Grace – 2:21 – OCP Choir.

America the Beautiful – 1:46.

Eternal Father, Strong to Save – 1:35 – John B. Dykes.

Here I Am Lord.

Holy Holy Holy.

Holy God We Praise Thy Name – 2:39 – Franz.

How Great Thou Art – 3:02 – Volpe.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives – 1:50.

I Heard the Voice of Jesus – 3:19.

Let There Be Peace on Earth.

Lord of All Hopefulness.

Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory (Not to be sung during Lent).

On Eagles’ Wings.

O God Beyond All Praising.

Sing With All the Saints in Glory.

HYMNS AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS

Abide With Me.

Age to Age.

Ave Maria, Schubert – 5:17 – Volpe.

Ave Maria, Bach/Gounod – 2:42 -Volpe.

Be Not Afraid.

Be Still My Soul – 2:36.

Beyond the Moon and Stars.

Come To Me – 3:54.

Come Follow Me – 4:19.

Eye Has Not Seen – 4:22.

Fly Like A Bird – 3:46.

Hail Mary, Gentle Woman – 4:18.

I Have Loved You – 2:15.

In Every Age – 3:23.

In The Garden – 4:29 – Anne Murray.

Lady of Knock – 5:27 – Cathy Maguire.

Prayer of Saint Francis – 2:26 – Sebastian Temple.

Precious Lord Take My Hand – 3:20 – Thomas Dorsey.

We Remember – 3:19 – Marty Haugen.

Communion Hymns  

As Grains of Wheat – 3:41 – Laurence Rosania.

Eat This Bread – 3:41.

Gift of Finest Wheat – 4:21 – Richard Proulx.

I Am The Bread of Life

One Bread, One Body – 2:55.

Our Blessing Cup – 2:47 – Bob Hurd .

Panis Angelicus – 3:32 – Volpe.

Seed Scattered and Sown – 4:51 – Dan Feiten.

Take and Eat – 4:08 – Michael Joncas.

Taste and See – 4:35 – James E. Moore Jr..

The Supper of the Lord – 5:26 – Laurence Rosania.

We Are Many Parts – 3:02 – Marty Haugen.

Worthy is the Lamb – Ricky Manolo CSP.

Responsorial Psalms

#23: My Shepherd is The Lord – 1:51 – Joseph Gelineau

#25: To You Oh Lord

#27: The Lord Is My Light – 3:01 – Christopher Walker

#34: Taste and See – 3:40 – James E. Moore

#42/43: As the Deer Longs – 2:17 – Bob Hurd

#84: How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place – 2:01 – Randall DeBruyn

#91: Be With Me Lord – 3:00 – Marty Haugen

#103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful – 3:50 – Ricky Manalo CSP