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Many, if not most, of the hymns in Breaking Bread 2023 are easily found on YouTube for listening. Think beyond the song titles you instantly recognize from the lists below, and prayerfully consider the musical tone you desire for the Memorial Mass or Funeral liturgy of your loved one. Music has an impact that reaches the depths of the soul. Many suggested hymn choices which may be more unfamiliar to you are incredibly poignant with genuinely moving texts. The musicians of the Parish of the Holy Eucharist are prepared to play and sing any of these with reverence and professionalism.
Wishing you peace and consolation as you begin to make musical choices for the Funeral liturgy of your loved one.
The sacred and communal nature of Catholic Funeral Celebrations requires careful planning in the selection of music. This planning will ensure the ability of all those gathered to actively participate in the celebration. (Because of the sacredness of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, secular instrumental or vocal music (i.e. non-sacred), or use of recorded music of any kind may not be used.)
The Memorial Mass and/or Funeral Liturgy is communal prayer, therefore we request that all music selections come from our Hymnal, Breaking Bread 2023.
-Jennifer Runge, Director of Sacred MusicMUSIC at a MEMORIAL MASS or
MASS of CHRISTIAN BURIAL (Funeral)
What do I choose?Entrance Procession Hymn
At the beginning of the Liturgy, the bereaved are at last gathered all in one place and the weight of the moment begins to sink in. A gentler hymn to open the celebration is often the appropriate choice as family and friends process in and settle into the pews to sing their loved one to eternal life.
Some choices include:
Where My Father Lives (M.D. Ridge) # 692
Here I Am, Lord (D. Schutte) #395
Be Not Afraid (B. Dufford) #438
- Responsorial Psalm chosen from the following three options:
- Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want
- Psalm 27: The Lord is My Light and My Salvation
- Psalm 103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful
Offertory Procession Hymn
The Offertory Procession music accompanies the action of preparing the altar for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Gifts of bread and wine are brought forth to the celebrant, often carried by loved ones of the deceased. In addition, the music at Offertory is a chance for the bereaved to "catch their collective breaths" as it were, between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Families often choose a song more uplifting in nature at this juncture, both to change the energy in the church as well as to provide a hopeful and joyful text reminding all that they are gathered at this Eucharistic celebration to honor not just the life of their loved one, but also to celebrate the gift of Eternal life made possible by the very sacrifice of the Mass about to take place.
Some choices include:
Hosea (G. Norbet) #665
How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place (R. DeBruyn) #682
Softly and Tenderly, Jesus Is Calling (THOMPSON) #684
O Loving God (to the tune of O Danny Boy...) LONDONDERRY AIR #688
The Lord is My Light (C. Walker) #693
Prayer of St Francis (S. Temple) #534
May the Angels Be Your Guide (McGrath) #690
Ave Maria (F. Schubert)
Communion Procession Hymn
The entire Mass hinges on the Eucharist. Scripture readings prepare our minds for this moment. The Eucharistic Prayer prepares our hearts for this moment. At last, the sacrifice at the altar is complete and the Celebrant invites the faithful to come forward and consume the Body and Blood of Our Lord, as they are able. It is fitting and appropriate therefore that a Eucharistic hymn/song be proclaimed during the Communion Procession.
There are many more Eucharistic songs available in Breaking Bread 2023 (#320 - 372) but some of the favorites are:
Eat This Bread (J. Berthier/TAIZE) #325
I Am the Bread of Life (S. Toolan) #329
Taste and See (J. Moore) #335
Gift of Finest Wheat (R. Kreutz) #332
One Bread, One Body (J. Foley) #341
Take and Eat (M. Joncas) #359
Bread of Angels (C. Stephan) #363
Panis Angelicus/Holy and Living Bread (L. Lambillotte) #372
Final Commendation
Final Commendation is when the urn or casket is blessed with Holy Water and incensed. This poignant moment in the Funeral rites of the Church is that part of the liturgical service in which we hand the person who has died over to God’s loving mercy. In the Funeral Mass, it is accompanied by the slow and reverent incensing of the body or cremated remains. It is a sign of hope and of letting go.
Choose one of the following three options:- SONG OF FAREWELL (OLD HUNDREDTH)AUDIO LINK
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MAY THE CHOIRS OF ANGELS AUDIO LINK
- IN PARADISUM AUDIO LINK
Recessional Hymn
Uplifting. Imagine a musical choice that carries you through the entire exit procession beginning with the casket accompanied by pallbearers (if not an urn), clergy & servers, followed by family members and friends, leading out into the narthex area where you continue to collectively mourn, but now with a joyous heart, knowing you've prayed and sung your loved one from this earthly realm to the heavenly one, collective prayers rising up like incense at the Final Commendation.
Some choices include:
Carry Me Home (R. Modlin) #681
I Know that My Redeemer Lives (S. Soper) #685
Go in Peace (S. Hart) #686
On Eagle’s Wings #440
Parable (M.D. Ridge) #691
We Shall Rise Again (J. Young) #694
Jennifer Runge, AB, MM, Director of Sacred Music, will guide the location of your song selections in the liturgy if you desire something not listed above. Recall that the Entrance Procession Hymn, Offertory Procession Hymn, Communion Procession Hymn and Recessional Hymn are to be carefully chosen so as to reflect the nature of the liturgical action of the MASS, in addition to embueing the bereaved with a sense of hope. Additionally, if there is a song or hymn not on this list, feel free to ask if it is appropriate for a Catholic Mass and if it is possible to be sung as part of the Prelude to the liturgy. - Responsorial Psalm chosen from the following three options:
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Contact Us
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jennifer.rungeportlanddiocese.orgDirector of Sacred Music
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