Funeral Music
As I’ve been exploring various corners of our Christian traditions, the idea to come up with a series of songs for my own funeral came up as something quite natural. There are many songs dear to my heart, but I think these are the ones that make the best liturgical service.
instructions
Longer informal/funny speech at the Wake. Got to be a wake. Make it as Irish as you can stand. Have a bunch of people offer short impromptu speeches
Mass/Liturgy: Have it in whatever church will let you do it this way. They have to have communion. Open communion preferable, which probably means Anglican.
Instrumental Prelude: Executor’s choice
Processional Hymn: [Abide With Me](https://hymnary.org/text/abide_with_me_fast_falls_the_eventide)
Eulogy: Short and formal
Kyrie (Greek)
Act of Contrition: Jesus Prayer (English)
Gloria & Psalm Combined:
My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth's lamentation,
I catch the sweet, tho' far-off hymn
That hails a new creation;
Thro' all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul—
How can I keep from singing?
What tho' my joys and comforts die?
I Know my Saviour liveth;
What tho' the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock, I’m clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smooths,
Since first I learned to love it,
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing;
All things are mine since I am his—
How can I keep from singing?
Epistle: Galatians 4:4–7 in English
Gospel: John 1:1-17 in original Greek
Homily on the readings. Ground it in the text and in the person of Christ.
Offertory Song:
Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/999
Sung a capella, revival style. Should feel like Shape Note / Sacred Harp singing. OK if it’s a little rough.
Lord’s prayer in English
Agnus Dei in Latin, a capella chant Mass XVII archaic mode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP3shbgF3LA . I want the similarities between this and the revival song to be evident.
Communion Song: These Alone Are Enough by the St. Louis Jesuits
Recessional: Old 100th
1. All people that on Earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
Him serve with fear, his praise forthtell;
Come ye before him and rejoice.
2. The Lord, ye know, is God indeed;
Without our aid he did us make;
We are his folk, he doth us feed,
And for his sheep he doth us take.
3. O enter then his gates with praise,
Approach with joy his courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless his name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
4. For why? The Lord our God is good;
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
5. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Reflection:
This is an expression of where I am currently spiritually, but also a reflection of my history, both ancestry and the history of musical influences in my life. It would be a good goal to conduct my life in such a way that my community will be able to successfully execute this funeral service. I don’t know if this would be possible now.
