Music for funerals
Music is integral to the funeral rights.
It allows the community to express
convictions and feelings that words alone may fail to convey. It has the power
to console and uplift the mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly
in faith and love. The texts of the songs chosen for a particular celebration
should
express the Paschal Mystery of the Lord’s suffering, death and triumph over
death
and should be related to the readings from scripture.
Since music can evoke strong feelings
the music for the celebration of the
funeral rights should be chosen with great care. The music at funerals should
support,
console and uplift the participants and should help to create in them a
spirit of hope
in Christ’s victory over death and the Christians’ share in that victory.