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
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
Dwellers in the Holy City #976
For the Faithful Who Have Answered #883
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty #567
How Can I Keep from Singing #685
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
Let There Be Peace on Earth #829
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
O Breathe On Me, O Breath of God #902
O God, Our Help in Ages Past #688
Peace is Flowing Like a River #819
Precious Lord, Take My Hand #955
Shall We Gather at the River #873
Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling #963
The Hand of God Shall Hold You #981
The King of Love My Shepherd Is #712
There is a Balm in Gilead #640
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy #644
We Cannot Measure How You Heal #657
What Wondrous Love Is This #642
Marian
Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly #457
Mary First Among Believers #893
Patriotic
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory #985
Advent
Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn #423
Come, O Long Expected Jesus #403
My Soul in Stillness Waits #415
The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns #414
Christmas
Angels We Have Heard on High #430
As With Gladness Men of Old #465
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice #440
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing #424
Lent
Lord Who Throughout These Forty Days #479
The Glory of These Forty Days #481
Easter
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today #523
Sing with All the Saints in Glory #539
This is the Feast of Victory #520
Pentecost
Communion Hymns (select 1)
Jesus, Hope for the World #909
Life-Giving Bread, Saving Cup #926
Responsorial Psalms (select 1)
All the Ends of the Earth #70 (Psalm 98)
Be With Me Lord #65 (Psalm 91)
Keep Me Safe, O God#29 (Psalm 16)
Let Us Go Rejoicing #84 (Psalm 122)
Let Us Rejoice #81 (Psalm 118)
Let Your Mercy Be On Us #44 (Psalm 33)
Lord, Send Out Your Spirit #76 (Psalm 104)
Lord, You Have the Words #31 (Psalm 19)
My Soul Is Thirsting #55 (Psalm 63)
Our Help Comes from the Lord #83 (Psalm 121)
Remember Your Mercies #38 (Psalm 25)
Shepherd Me, O God #35 (Psalm 23)
The Cry of the Poor #47 (Psalm 34)
The Lord Is Kind and Merciful #75 (Psalm 103)
The Lord Is My Light #41 (Psalm 27)
We Are God’s People #71 (Psalm 100)