Help with catholic hymns and/or poems for funeral?

Question

My father-in-law passed away yesterday and he was catholic. My husband hasn't stepped foot in a catholic church in over 10 years and can not remember any hymns for his fathers funeral. I am also looking for poems or something of the sort to be read at the funeral. My father-in-law was a farmer and a quiet man. Any help would be great. Thanks to everyone who response.

Answer 1

Ave Maria and Amazing Grace are good for funerals.



VLR

Answer 2

Sorry to learn of your loss. Amazing Grace Is all ways a good choice. The Priest and the Funeral Director can help you choice the hymns or poems also you can chose a few of his favorite songs to play (as long as they are appropriate for the service) Since the man was a farmer there should be many verses from the Bible that could be read. You may want to try going to the library and explain the situation to the librarian and ask for their help I have found that most librarians are very help full in this sort of thing.

Answer 3

First, people are not supposed to read poems at funeral services in catholic churches. Maybe you can do it at the burial site.

Some good funeral hymns are:
Ave Maria
Veni Creator Spiritus
Veni Jesu Amor Mi
Litany of the Saints

Edit: Mommy_to_seven, those songs are not traditional. See my list for traditional.

Answer 4

Traditional Catholic hymns for funerals are Be Not Afrraid, On Eagle's Wings and I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say.

Also Cry of the Poor- which works nicely for the Psalm.

Your parish will help withthe funeral planning

Answer 5

My condolences on your loss.

"On Eagles Wings" is a beautiful song: http://jukebox.ocp.org/preview/9473_1_3.mp3

Talk to the parish priest or music director for a list of other suitable songs.

Here is a link to some recommended songs: http://www.ocp.org/en/songsearch/index.php?keywords=funeral&bsearch=y

Here is a nice link to some recommended readings for Catholic funerals: http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/liturgy/Resources/OCF/Lectionary.html

With love and prayers in Christ.

Answer 6

On Death
Than Almitra spoke, saying, "We would ask now of Death."

And he said:

You would know the secret of death.

But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?

The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.

If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.

For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.

In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;

And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.

Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.

Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.

Is the sheered not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?

Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?

And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink form the river of silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.

And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.


I'm sorry for your loss, I hope that your father in-law now dances with the lord.

Answer 7

http://www.homestead.com/MidiHymns/MidiIndex.html
http://www.marysyellowstone.com/hope/catholicpoetry.htm

look for music by karl kohlhase, he is a catholic artist with a good style of music. try locate free downloads at www.freeforcatholics.com

hope you find something fitting and apt for your father in law. good luck,condolences and may you and your husband find courage and strength at this time. god bless.

Answer 8

I am so sorry for your loss. I think that "On Eagle's Wings" would be a good choice. "Be Not Afraid" is another good option. I hope this is helpful.

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 9

"Amazing Grace" is a beautiful, peaceful hymn.

Answer 10

My condolences on the death of your father-in-law. I hope this helps:
http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/liturgy/Resources/OCF/OCFMusicChoices.pdf
(If you can't open pdfs, here it is in HTML:
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:fjEIsCgQtu0J:www.catholicchurch.org.uk/liturgy/Resources/OCF/OCFMusicChoices.pdf