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October 28, 2024

How to prepare music for Catholic funerals


Funeral Songs

 

Whether it’s for a funeral Mass, a liturgy outside of Mass or a simple Rite of Committal, the music we choose to include in these moments can be a healing balm for the bereaved. We are comforted by familiar tunes and especially by our deceased loved ones’ favorite songs of faith. These songs can even help us draw near to God in our grief.

The healing power of beautiful music during times of loss makes the responsibility of planning music for Catholic funerals that much more daunting. But OCP is here to help, supporting anyone involved in preparing funeral liturgies through free resources, helpful playlists and more.

If you are responsible for planning Catholic funerals, start by listening to this hopeful and comforting playlist of songs suitable for use during Catholic funeral liturgies. Titles include favorites like “Be Not Afraid” by the St. Louis Jesuits and “Here I Am, Lord” by Dan Schutte, as well as new music from Catholic artists like Francesca LaRosa and Sarah Hart.

 

Music Suggestions

We are also pleased to supply a PDF of music suggestions for Catholic funerals as well as free planning guides for vigils for the deceased, funeral Masses, liturgies outside of Mass and the Rite of Committal. Click below to download a full set of funeral music suggestions and planning guides in both English and Spanish.

Funeral music – English

Funeral music – Spanish

Planning guides – English

Planning guides – Spanish

 

Liturgy.com

If you could benefit from more support while preparing liturgies for Catholic funerals, we recommend subscribing to Liturgy.com. The best way to prepare music for liturgies online, Liturgy.com provides curated song suggestions, dynamic planning outlines, easy music sharing with your ensemble and more. There is even a FREE subscription option.

 

We hope that the music and resources OCP provides for Catholic funerals aids in the preparation of beautiful and consoling liturgies.