Funerals
The most moving phrase I ever heard a vicar say at a funeral was: “please do cry - I would be rather cross if no one cried at my funeral”.
Music for funeral services should be uplifting, but it should also be reflective in the right places.
Processional Music
To accompany the funeral director and bearers as they carry the coffin into the church, and position before the altar, at the beginning of the service.
Largo from Xerxes, Handel
Adagio in G Minor, Albinoni
Air from Suite No. 3, Bach
Canon in D, Pachelbel
Morning from Peer Gynt, Grieg
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Bach
Pie Jesu, Faure
Ave Maria, Schubert
Laudate Dominum, Mozart
Hymns
A funeral service usually contains two or three hymns, interspersed with readings, Eulogy, and prayers.
All things Bright and Beautiful
Jerusalem
Lord of all Hopefulness
The Lord’s My Shepherd
Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer
Abide with Me
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Morning Has Broken
I vow to Thee, My Country
Now Thank We All Our God
Praise my Soul the King of Heaven
Thine be the Glory
Lord of the Dance
Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise
Come Down, O Love Divine
Committal
Gentle music required only at a crematorium service, whilst the coffin descends out of view as the words of committal are read.
Nimrod from Enigma Variations, Elgar
Canon in D, Pachelbel
Adagio in G Minor, Albinoni
Abide with me (played softly)
Traumerei, Schumann
A Gaelic Blessing (arranged for organ), John Rutter
Music on Departure
Played after a final blessing, as the coffin is carried out of the church, or as mourners prepare to leave the crematorium.
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Bach
Nimrod from Enigma Variations, Elgar
Largo from Symphony No. 9 (‘From the New World’), Dvořák
Air from Suite No. 3, Bach
Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Bach
Prelude in C Minor BWV 546, Bach
Chorale Prelude on ‘Rhosymedre’, Vaughan Williams
Elegy, George Thalben-Ball
Hear my Prayer (“O for the Wings of a Dove”), Mendelssohn
O Mensch, bewein' dein' Sünde groß BWV 622, Bach
Ave verum corpus, Mozart