Funeral Music During Lent

An issue that has come to light is if a funeral takes place during Lent, some priests have insisted there's no music at all in the church. 

(This is what caused me to do the investigation and call the Catholic Church to get a definite answer).

After speaking about the slight variations on instructions with the Catholic Faith office, I was advised that:

• all music needs to have a Christian message
• each parish priest has the option to be selective or have no music at all

Our Lady of Lourdes (see previous blog on 'what music at RC funerals') seems to have hit on the answer to this dilemma, which is to have these favourite songs at the graveside. At Singers for Funerals, we are happy to do this. We have recently sung at a number of gravesides and it was very popular with the families and mourners as a welcome addition to the ceremony, creating a very personal send off.

Singing in church and at the graveside

For funerals outside Lent, some families have booked us to sing in church first, either leading the hymns and singing a religious solo such as Schubert's 'Ave Maria' or Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Pie Jesu'. We have continued on to sing a popular song at the graveside such as 'You raise me up'.

We have a discreet portable backing track system which means we have professional accompaniment and can sing at the graveside without any difficulty (even under an umbrella if necessary).​

Here are some reviews of our open-air singing:

"The family were very pleased and it did create a very personal touch to the funeral."
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"What a wonderful idea, you have a wonderful voice. I loved your singing, you made us cope with our emotions."
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"How wonderful, thank you so much. You made it so special and helped us."
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"That was lovely well done, you filled the cemetery."
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"That was wonderful - thank you so much, you made the service so special."
"Granddad would have loved it, you're wonderful."
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“Thank you so much. You sang beautifully and everyone commented on it. It made the funeral. 

​Lodge Brothers, Windsor

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A mourner, Slough

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AW, daughter, Barnet
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Funeral Director, Berkshire
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​Mourners, Hampshire

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KC, son, Hither Green cemetery