At what places in the funeral service is it customary to have music?
If you have a choir for the funeral, it’s normal for them to sing two to four solo items.
Here’s a list of all the points in the service where you might choose to have music.
At the beginning: If you have an organist, then they can play a piece before the beginning of the service. In addition, or instead, as the ceremony begins, the choir can sing a short item. This is normally termed Introit. An introit is normally a minute and a half or shorter. (Timings are shown in brackets after each of our recommended pieces).
Between readings: If you have two bible readings, then the choir can sing a psalm between the readings. Or this can be a place for any short choral piece or a hymn.
During Communion: During the 19th century, communion services were often entirely sung. Incorporating a Mass setting by Byrd or Palestrina, the words of many parts of the service were sung rather than said. But these days, if you have communion as part of the funeral service, it’s more normal to have the choir singing just while the congregation is taking communion. A movement from a Mass is appropriate, but not essential. Let us know roughly how many people you are expecting to take communion and we can help you to calculate how much music to have here. One or two pieces of choral music is usual.
Anthem: If there is no communion, then you might like the choir to perform an item (normally termed an Anthem).
Hymns: If the funeral guests are used to singing hymns, you might choose one or two hymns that your people are familiar with. Hymns can be a good way to give people a sense that they are actively taking part in the service, but they are by no means essential. If you think that your guests will not want to sing, then you don’t need to have hymns.
As the coffin is being carried out: Here you might have a piece of organ or choral music, or a hymn.
Do I need an organist?
If you don’t want to have hymns, then you don’t need an organist. The choir has plenty of music that is sung without organ accompaniment. If singing hymns is important, then yes, you need an organist.
Can I have my own organist?
Yes, of course. Your organist will play the hymns and any organ solos that you would like them to play. Choose your choir music from the lists ‘without organ accompaniment’.
How many singers should I have in the choir?
If your funeral is in a church with good acoustics that seats less than 250 people, then four singers will be just fine. Keep in mind that if you have four singers, you need to choose from the lists for 4 singers. The more singers you have, the greater your choice of music. If the funeral is taking place in a room with wall-to-wall carpet, then you will get an optimal sound from 8 or more singers. If you are planning a large funeral with 250 or more guests, then 14 to 24 singers are recommended.