Music for the Christian Funeral

The Requiem Mass (or Funeral Mass) especially expresses the faith in Jesus’ victory over death and our personal share in that resurrection. It does so through prayers and blessings, through songs and readings, through ceremonies and symbols. This aspect is at the heart of how the Parish of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church plans the funeral Mass, including music, reflecting the sacred musical styles incorporated into the sacramental rites of the Roman Catholic Church under the directives of the Church documents. St. John the Baptist Parish carefully follows the solemn and sacred rite of the Requiem Mass ensuring a spirit of prayer and hope can be established to strengthen the expression of faith.

If one were to place the funeral rite within the context of the Sunday morning Mass, a clearer understanding of the sacred and solemn nature of this rite will become evident. Therefore, when we plan the Requiem Mass the sacred and solemn nature of the rite is kept in the forefront of all that is considered.

Therefore, the service music of the Requiem Mass, the Prelude, Introit, [Kyrie], Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen, Agnus Dei, Offertory and Communion Antiphons, and In Paradisum, has been established from the Roman Missal, for all funerals, using the Mass setting Missa Jubiláte Deo and Masses for the Dead for the people’s sung prayer, led by the parish cantor and organist. This includes the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation Verse, which are taken from the Graduale Romanum.

Additionally, to help the family in preparing the funeral, the music for the entrance hymn, communion song, and recessional have already been established according to Church documents. Requests for other sacred music may be requested and must be carefully guided and approved by the Director of Music.

Secular songs, ballads, and show tunes are more appropriate for the interment or the wake, therefore, are not permitted at the Requiem Mass. The use of CDs and accompaniment tracks is strictly prohibited.

The organist and cantor of St. John the Baptist Parish must be present at all funerals. The fee is $125 per staff musician. Kindly note that organists and cantors from outside St. John the Baptist Parish music staff are NOT permitted.

If, under special circumstances, an outside organist and/or cantor are granted permission by the Director of Music to participate, you may be charged a $100 bench fee for each musician, and they must be auditioned to ensure the standards of integrity in the sacred music liturgy at St. John the Baptist Parish are maintained. Besides being unfamiliar with the proper timing and function that music plays liturgically within St. John the Baptist Parish, non-parish musicians do not have access to the facilities and equipment.

The request for additional musicians must be approved by the Director of Music. Bagpipes and instruments of a percussive nature are discouraged from use, and are more suited to the interment.

However, there are times when the family want a family member or friend to participate; one suggestion would be to have that person sing one “special,” sacred song, approved by the Director of Music, the parish cantor singing the service music.

In order to meet your needs in the best way possible, please contact the Director of Music immediately, at which time all details of the funeral music will be set.

Bob Grant, Director of Music, Organist & Choirmaster
949.939.2489 – Cell
714.557.0761 – Music Office
bgrant@sjboc.org – Music E-Mail
lagunaredbob@msn.com – Personal E-Mail