Music Suggestions
Funeral Mass –- Outside the Easter Season

Liturgical Music

Official texts

Entrance Antiphon [Introit]:
1. Requiem æternam dona eis Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.669]
2. De necessitatibus meis eripe me [Graduale Romanum, p.84]
3. Ego autem cum iustitia apparebo [Graduale Romanum, p.94]
4. Intret oratio mea in conspectu tuo [Graduale Romanum, p.363]
5. Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.350]
6. Sicut oculi servorum in manibus [Graduale Romanum, p.77]
7. Verba mea auribus percipe, Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.84]
8. Requiem æternam dona eis Domine [Gregorian Missal, p.688]
9. Ego autem cum iustitia apparebo [Gregorian Missal, p.497]
10. Intret oratio mea in conspectu tuo [Gregorian Missal, p.586]
11. Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine [Gregorian Missal, p.350]
12. Requiem æternam dona eis Domine [Graduale simplex, p.401]
13. Dona eis, Domine, requiem sempiternam. [Graduale simplex, p.402]
14. Aperite mihi portas iustitiæ, et ingressus in eas confitebor Domino. [Graduale simplex, p.403]
15. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord [Simple English Propers, p.414 (Adam Bartlett)]
16. As for me, I will appear before you [Simple English Propers, p.415 (Adam Bartlett)]
17. Let my prayer enter into your presence [Simple English Propers, p.416 (Adam Bartlett)]
18. O Lord, if you were to take into account [Simple English Propers, p.417 (Adam Bartlett)]
19. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord [Simple Choral Gradual, p.294 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
20. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord [Lumen Christi Missal, p.991 (Adam Bartlett) Illuminare Publications]
21. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord [tune: Land of Rest] from Introit Hymns 86 (Christoph Tietze)
Gradual (Responsorial Psalm):
1. Requiem æternam dona eis Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.670]
2. Convertere, Domine, aliquantulum [Graduale Romanum, p.295]
3. Lætatus sum [Graduale Romanum, p.336]
4. Salvum fac servum tuum [Graduale Romanum, p.85]
5. Si ambulem in medio umbræ [Graduale Romanum, p.125]
6. Unam petii a Domino [Graduale Romanum, p.358]
7. Requiem æternam dona eis Domine [Gregorian Missal, p.689]
8. Convertere, Domine, aliquantulum [Gregorian Missal, p.483]
9. Lætatus sum [Gregorian Missal, p.548]
10. Si ambulem in medio umbræ [Gregorian Missal, p.505]
11. Unam petii a Domino [Gregorian Missal, p.576]
12. Desiderat anima mea ad te, Deus [Graduale simplex, p.404]
13. In æternum cantabo [Graduale simplex, p.405]
14. In domum Domini lætantes ibimus [Graduale simplex, p.405]
15. Option 1:The Lord is my shepherd Chabanel Psalmody
16. Option 2:Though I walk in the valley of darkness Chabanel Psalmody
17. Option 1:The Lord is my shepherd Parish Book of Psalms (Arlene Oost-Zinner)
18. Option 2:Though I walk in the valley of darkness Parish Book of Psalms (Arlene Oost-Zinner)
Alleluia (Gospel Acclamation):
1. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.367]
2. In exitu Israel ex Ægypto [Graduale Romanum, p.348]
3. Lætatus sum [Graduale Romanum, p.19]
4. Requiem æternam dona eis Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.671]
5. for Priests and Religious: Ego vos elegi de mundo [Graduale Romanum, p.358]
6. Requiem æternam dona eis Domine [Gregorian Missal, p.690]
7. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine [Gregorian Missal, p.593]
8. In exitu Israel ex Ægypto [Gregorian Missal, p.563]
9. Lætatus sum [Gregorian Missal, p.171]
10. for Priests and Religious: Ego vos elegi de mundo [Gregorian Missal, p.377]
11. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine [Graduale simplex, p.407]
12. In exitu Israel ex Ægypto [Graduale simplex, p.407]
13. Deus, Deus meus [Graduale simplex, p.408]
14. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine [Graduale simplex, p.409]
Tract (replaces Alleluia during Lent):
1. Absolve, Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.672]
2. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.673]
3. Qui seminant in lacrimis [Graduale Romanum, p.465]
4. Sicut cervus desiderat [Graduale Romanum, p.190]
5. Absolve, Domine [Gregorian Missal, p.691]
6. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine [Gregorian Missal, p.692]
7. Ad te levavi oculos meos [Graduale simplex, p.409]
Offertory:
1. Domine Iesu Christe, Rex gloriæ [Graduale Romanum, p.674]
2. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.368]
3. Domine, convertere, et eripe animam meam [Graduale Romanum, p.283]
4. Domine, Deus salutis meæ [Graduale Romanum, p.87]
5. Illumina oculos meos [Graduale Romanum, p.290]
6. Miserere mihi, Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.92]
7. Si ambulavero in medio tribulationis [Graduale Romanum, p.341]
8. Domine Iesu Christe, Rex gloriæ [Gregorian Missal, p.693]
9. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine [Gregorian Missal, p.594]
10. Domine, convertere, et eripe animam meam [Gregorian Missal, p.464]
11. Illumina oculos meos [Gregorian Missal, p.475]
12. Si ambulavero in medio tribulationis [Gregorian Missal, p.554]
13. Redemptor meus vivit [Graduale simplex, p.410]
14. Habitabit in tabernaculo tuo [Graduale simplex, p.411]
15. In conspectu Angelorum [Graduale simplex, p.412]
16. O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory [Simple English Propers, p.418 (Adam Bartlett)]
17. O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory [Simple Choral Gradual, p.295 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
18. Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord [Lumen Christi Missal, p.992 (Adam Bartlett) Illuminare Publications]
Communion:
1. Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.676]
2. Amen dico vobis: quod uni [Graduale Romanum, p.79]
3. Domine, quinque talenta tradidisti mihi [Graduale Romanum, p.515]
4. Domine, quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo [Graduale Romanum, p.102]
5. Dominus regit me et nihil mihi deerit [Graduale Romanum, p.365]
6. Illumina faciem tuam super servum tuum [Graduale Romanum, p.271]
7. Notas mihi fecisti vias vitæ [Graduale Romanum, p.362]
8. Panis quem ego dedero, caro mea est [Graduale Romanum, p.322]
9. Qui manducat carnem meam [Graduale Romanum, p.383]
10. Qui mihi ministrat, me sequator [Graduale Romanum, p.484]
11. Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine [Gregorian Missal, p.695]
12. Amen dico vobis: quod uni [Gregorian Missal, p.602]
13. Domine, quinque talenta tradidisti mihi [Gregorian Missal, p.595]
14. Dominus regit me et nihil mihi deerit [Gregorian Missal, p.590]
15. Illumina faciem tuam super servum tuum [Gregorian Missal, p.445]
16. Notas mihi fecisti vias vitæ [Gregorian Missal, p.585]
17. Panis quem ego dedero, caro mea est [Gregorian Missal, p.526]
18. Qui manducat carnem meam [Gregorian Missal, p.423]
19. Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine [Communio, p.138 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
20. Amen dico vobis: quod uni [Communio, p.5 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
21. Domine, quinque talenta tradidisti mihi [Communio, p.64 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
22. Dominus regit me et nihil mihi deerit [Communio, p.73 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
23. Illumina faciem tuam super servum tuum [Communio, p.112 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
24. Notas mihi fecisti vias vitæ [Communio, p.166 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
25. Panis quem ego dedero, caro mea est [Communio, p.181 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
26. Qui manducat carnem meam [Communio, p.213 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
27. Qui mihi ministrat, me sequator [Communio, p.218 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
28. Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine [Graduale simplex, p.413]
29. Audivi vocem de cælo dicentem [Graduale simplex, p.414]
30. Portio mea, Domine [Graduale simplex, p.415]
31. May eternal light shine upon them, O Lord [Simple English Propers, p.419 (Adam Bartlett)]
32. May eternal light shine upon them, O Lord [Choral Communio, p.218 (Richard Rice) Hostia Laudis Co]
33. May eternal light shine upon them, O Lord [Simple Choral Gradual, p.296 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
34. Let perpetual light shine upon them, O Lord [Lumen Christi Missal, p.992 (Adam Bartlett) Illuminare Publications]
35. May light eternal shine upon him (her) Laudate Dominum Communion Antiphons (Andrew Motyka)
Antiphon for the Procession to the Place of Committal [Chants for the Last Farewell]:
1. Subvenite Sancti Dei [Graduale Romanum, p.692]
2. Rogamus te, Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.693]
3. Antequam nascerer [Graduale Romanum, p.694]
4. Credo quod Redemptor meus vivit [Graduale Romanum, p.694]
5. Qui Lazarum resuscitasti [Graduale Romanum, p.695]
6. Libera me, Domine [Graduale Romanum, p.696]
7. In paradisum / Chorus angelorum [Graduale Romanum, p.697]
8. Ego sum resurrection et vita [Graduale Romanum, p.697]
9. Subvenite Sancti Dei [Gregorian Missal, p.696]
10. Credo quod Redemptor meus vivit [Gregorian Missal, p.697]
11. In paradisum / Chorus angelorum [Gregorian Missal, p.698]
12. Ego sum resurrection et vita [Gregorian Missal, p.698]
13. Ne reminiscaris, Domine [Graduale simplex, p.422]
14. In pace in idipsum [Graduale simplex, p.423]
15. Credo videra bona Domini [Graduale simplex, p.424]
16. In paradisum / Chorus angelorum [Graduale simplex, p.425]
17. Ego sum resurrection et vita [Graduale simplex, p.425]
Mass settings:
1. Latin Chant Masses VIII (De angelis) & XI (Orbis factor)
2. Latin Gregorian Chant Masses XI (Orbis factor) & VIII (De angelis)
3. Latin Missa sanctorum angelorum (Calvert Shenk)
4. Latin Mass of Saint Jerome (Christopher Bord)
5. Mass of Our Lady, Help of Christians (Richard Connolly)
6. Mass of Saint Agnes (B. Andrew Mills)
7. Mass of the Angels (Richard J. Clark)
8. Mass of the Redemption (Calvert Shenk / Adam Taylor)
9. Modal Mass (Calvert Shenk / Adam Taylor)

Other liturgical music

A Community Mass (Richard Proulx)
Book of Sung Gospels – 4th Edition (ed. Gary Penkala)
Communion Psalms for the Liturgical Seasons (Gary Penkala)
Gospel Acclamation for Ordinary Time (Gary Penkala)
I Know That My Redeemer Lives (Gary Penkala)
My Shepherd Is the Lord (Rev. Joseph Gelineau) [GIA Publications]
Psalm 25 (Christopher Bord)
Psalm 130 (Christopher Bord)

Hymns

All Creatures of Our God and King (WIII #520, HPSC #103, CBW #620, PMB #120, HH #186, AH #600, CH #555, CHB #198, SMH #198, VII #206)
Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life (WIII #569, CD #899, CH #532, SMH #270)
For All the Saints (WIII #705, ICEL #189, HPSC #157, AH #590, HH #287, CBW #617, PMB #187, CH #336, CHB #166, SMH #297, EH #126, VII #263)
I Know That My Redeemer Lives (WIII #445, ICEL #160, PMB #744, CBW #56, CH #293, SMH #356, VII #355)
Lead, Kindly Light (ICEL #212, AH #578, CH #455, CHB #234, SMH #392, EH #430, VII #298)
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (WIII #606, ICEL #163, CH #458, SMH #420)
O God, Our Help in Ages Past (HPSC #241, WIII #579, ICEL #237, CBW #640, CH #457, PMB #128, HH #169, AH #624, CHB #249, SMH #446, EH #289, VII #203)
O Lord, You Died That All Might Live (HH #315B)
Song of Farewell (tune- Old Hundredth)
The King of Love My Shepherd Is (WIII #609, ICEL #165, HPSC #324, AH #580, CH #460, CHB #265, SMH #563/4, EH #345, VII #269)
The Living God My Shepherd Is (WIII #612, CD #831, CBW #690)
What Wondrous Love Is This? (CD #822, WIII #600, HH #95, PMB #157, ICEL #164, CH #530, HH #95, SMH #607)

AH = The Adoremus Hymnal, Ignatius Press

CBW = Catholic Book of Worship II / Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

CD = Cantate Domino / Hymnal Supplement, GIA Publications, Inc.

CH = The Collegeville Hymnal, The Liturgical Press

CHB = The Catholic Hymn Book [London Oratory], Gracewing Publishers

EH = The Hymnal 1940 (Episcopal), used by many Anglican Use Roman Catholic parishes

HH = Hymnal of the Hours, GIA Publications, Inc.

HPSC = Hymns, Psalms & Spiritual Canticles, out of print but excellent

ICEL = ICEL Resource Collection, GIA Publications, Inc.

PMB = People's Mass Book, World Library Publications, Inc.

SMH = The Saint Michael Hymnal – 3rd Edition 2003, Saint Boniface Church, Lafayette IN

VII = Vatican II Hymnal, Corpus Christi Watershed

WIII = Worship, 3rd Edition, GIA Publications, Inc.

Vocal & Choral Music

As the Hart Longs (Felix Mendelssohn)
Audivi media nocte (Thomas Tallis)
Bless the Lord, O My Soul (M. Ippolitoff-Ivanoff)
Blest Are They Whose Spirits Long (Handel / Hopson)
Bone pastor, panis vere (Jonathan Kregor)
But the Lord Is Mindful of His Own (Felix Mendelssohn)
Come, Thou Faithful Servant (Claudio Monteverdi)
De profundis (W.A. Mozart, Orlando di Lasso, Josquin des Pres)
Ego sum panis vivus (William Byrd, G.P. Palestrina)
Exaudi Deus (Giovanni Croce)
God Is My Shepherd (Antonin Dvorak)
God So Loved the World (John Stainer)
Hope Thou in God (Felix Mendelssohn)
How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings Fair (Colin Brumby)
I Heard A Voice from Heaven (William Billings, Thomas Tomkins)
I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (J.M. Bach, G.F. Handel, Thomas Morley, Flor Peeters)
If God Be for Us (Melchior Franck, Heinrich Schütz)
In paradisum (Gregorian chant) [Worship III Hymnal #178, Adoremus Hymnal #572, Collegeville Hymnal #411, Catholic Book of Worship II #599, Liber usualis p.1768]
In paradisum (Michael Cox)
Iustorum animæ (Colin Brumby)
Justorum animæ (William Byrd, Orlando di Lasso, C.V. Stanford)
Like As A Father (Luigi Cherubini)
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (arr. Virgil Thomson)
O God, Thou Art My God (Henry Purcell)
Out of the Deep (Adrian Batten, G.F. Handel, Virgil Thomson, Thomas Tomkins)
Psalm 122 (J.P. Sweelinck)
Psalm 130 (Paul Manz)
Requiem æternam (Martini / Penkala)
See What Love the Father from Saint Paul (Felix Mendelssohn)
Sicut cervus (Palestrina / Angelini)
Tantum ergo Sacramentum (Christopher Bord)
The Call (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
The Gate of Heaven (Randall Thompson)
The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation (Eugene Englert) [GIA Publications]
The Lord Is My Shepherd (Puccini/Decesare)
The Lord's My Shepherd (Colin Brumby)
The Sorrows of My Heart (William Boyce)
The Souls of the Righteous (T. Tertius Noble, Ralph Vaughan Williams)
The Sufferings of the Present (Melchior Franck)
The Twenty-third Psalm (Franz Schubert, Ralph Vaughan Williams)

Organ Music

The Ceremonial of Bishops, the most recent complete liturgical document from the Holy See addressing the issue, instructs that the organ remain silent during Funeral Masses, except to accompany singing.

There should be no flowers on the altar, and the music of the organ or other instruments is permitted only to assist the singing. [#824]

Hence organ preludes and postludes should not be played.

Liturgical Hints & Ideas

Liturgical music at funeral Masses is always difficult to program. So much of the congregation may be non-Catholic or from other Catholic parishes. Choose simple, familiar music if the congregation is expected to sing responses and hymns. Never force people to sing; this is a difficult time for the family. They may be able to pray better through listening than through active (and perhaps awkward) participation. A cantor/soloist or a funeral choir can be very helpful in providing inspiring music, but should at all cost avoid sentimental selections designed to do no more than elicit tears.

Music Suggestions Funeral Mass –- Outside the Easter Season