Funeral Planning

Planning a Funeral

The loss of a loved one is a solemn event in one’s life. The Risen Lord and his church desire to bring comfort in this time of loss. When preparing for a funeral, it is our hope that the following will be of assistance when planning the funeral of your loved one.

Choosing Scripture

Scripture conveys many different ideas and images to give us hope and consolation. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recommendations for a funeral liturgy. Three selections are needed: first reading, second reading, and gospel. 


First Reading from Old Testament

First Reading from New Testament during Easter Time


Responsorial Psalms (see "Choosing Music")


Second Reading from the New Testament


Gospels


Choosing Music

Music allows us to enter more deeply into the Liturgy. There are six musical selections: prelude, opening, responsorial psalm, offertory, communion and closing. Below you will find a list of suggested songs, selected from MMOC's hymnal, the Third Edition of the blue GIA Gather book. Links to various artist's YouTube recordings have been provided to give you a sample of the music as you choose. Click on the song title to open the link in a new tab.

Prelude, Opening, Offertory, and closing hymns (select 4)

*not options during lent

A Living Faith: Faith of Our Fathers #677

*Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! #949

*Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks #524

Amazing Grace #645

Be Not Afraid #683

Blest Are They #735

Center of My Life #679

Christ Be Our Light #590

City of God #766

Come to the Water #584

Dwellers in the Holy City #976

Eye Has Not Seen #728

*For All the Saints #884

For the Faithful Who Have Answered #883

Here I Am Lord #777

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty #567

How Can I Keep from Singing #685

How Great Thou Art #578

I Come with Joy #919

I Have Loved You #588

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say #724

I Know That My Redeemer Lives #527

I Know That My Redeemer Lives #972

I Want To Walk as a Child of the Light #593

In Christ There Is No East or West #832

Jerusalem, My Happy Home #870

Jesus, Remember Me #510

Keep in Mind #646

Let There Be Peace on Earth #829

Like A Shepherd #402

Lord of all Hopefulness #663

Lord, When You Came To the Seashore #781

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling #641

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace #828

May God Bless and Keep #675

Now We Remain #785

O Breathe On Me, O Breath of God #902

O God, Our Help in Ages Past #688

O God, You Search Me #581

On Eagle’s Wings #691

Open My Eyes #651

Peace is Flowing Like a River #819

Precious Lord, Take My Hand #955

Remember Your Love #961

*Seek Ye First #658

Shall We Gather at the River #873

Shepherd of Souls #910

*Sing a New Song #607

Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling #963

*Soon and Very Soon #865

The Hand of God Shall Hold You #981

The King of Love My Shepherd Is #712

The Love of the Lord #792

The Servant Song #751

There is a Balm in Gilead #640

There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy #644

We Cannot Measure How You Heal #657

We Have Been Told #784

We Shall Rise Again #871

We Walk By Faith #680

What Wondrous Love Is This #642

*Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones #882

You Are Mine #721