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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Ministry of Consolation • A Case for Congregational Singing at Funerals

Richard J. Clark · August 21, 2017

UNERALS ARE some of the trickiest and most sensitive parts of a church musician’s job. They warrant much pastoral attention and care. This can be a challenge for parishes with many funerals. For some parishes, it is not unusual to have over one hundred per year. As a result, funerals can become rather routine and ho-hum. But for the family and loved ones, it is anything but.

The importance of congregational singing is generally well understood as an important aspect of “full and active participation.” The Ministry of the Assembly, is emphasized in Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship (SttL):

“Holy Mother Church clearly affirms the role within worship of the entire liturgical assembly…Within the gathered assembly, the role of the congregation is especially important. “The full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else, for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit.” (SttL § 10-11)

This is all very well and good, but when it comes to funerals, asking for the congregation to sing is a tall, if impossible order. So why bother?

SttL goes on to elaborate about internal and external participation, even quoting Pope St. John Paul II with regard to interior participation:

Participation in the Sacred Liturgy must be “internal, in the sense that by it the faithful join their mind to what they pronounce or hear, and cooperate with heavenly grace.” Even when listening to the various prayers and readings of the Liturgy or to the singing of the choir, the assembly continues to participate actively as they “unite themselves interiorly to what the ministers or choir sing, so that by listening to them they may raise their minds to God.” (SttL §12)

But again, when loved ones are grieving, is it not obnoxious to “make them sing,” especially if many are not regular churchgoers? So, again, why bother?

If there ever was a liturgy in which the entire assembly is participating in some fashion—if only interiorly—it is a funeral. The intensity of the emotion, especially for very difficult cases, draws in all present in whatever way they are capable.

• Four Real Reasons for Roman Catholic Funerals

Y SUGGESTION IS TO ALWAYS PROVIDE a means for participation, regardless of what one might think will or will not transpire. Enormously helpful is even a simple one-page worship aid with numbers listed for a hymnal. Better yet, sing very simple settings of the Acclamations, Responsorial, Gospel Acclamation, and dare I say—even a communion antiphon.

If you do so, will the assembly sing? The grieving families? Unlikely.

Unless, they are parishioners. I have found that when regular parishioners are in attendance, the opportunity for congregational singing is ripe! And even if only ten percent of the congregation sings, it brings extraordinary consolation to the bereaved.

And getting a congregation to sing is not an end in of itself.

Congregational singing at a funeral (no matter how feeble) sends a beautiful message: If you, the bereaved cannot give voice to your grief in this moment, we shall do it for you. To sing for another sends a message of love: We are with you. We pray with you, for you, and for the deceased whom we love.

The Order of Christian Funerals has much to say about the role of the community in the Ministry of Consolation.

“If one member suffers in the body of Christ which is the Church, all the members suffer with that member.” (1 Corinthians 12:26). For this reason, those who are baptized are responsible for one another.” (OCF #8)

As such, “[t]he responsibility of the Community for the ministry of consolation rests with the believing community…Each Christian shares in this ministry according to the various gifts and offices in the Church.” (OCF #9)

As such, if one has the capacity to assist the congregation with singing, one should make every effort. Likewise, the pastoral musicians must make that possible—even if congregational singing is unlikely. One must not judge beforehand!

“The Community’s principal involvement in the ministry of consolation is expressed in its active participation in the celebration of the funeral rites…” (OCF #11)

HAVE ALWAYS FOUND congregational singing at funerals to be an extraordinarily uplifting and consoling experience. I say this from the choir loft, and I say this from the pew. I have felt great consolation and love from strangers who came to pray (and sing those prayers) for a loved one. As the recipient of such generosity, my heart is full.

The more difficult the funeral (especially in cases of unexpected or tragic loss), the more important it is for the community to join together in support in its ministry of consolation. This ministry extends long after the funeral, sometimes for a lifetime.

This message of consolation is most profound and joyful! Our sacred music at a funeral must express “a spirit of hope in the Christian’s share in Christ’s victory over death.” (OCF #31)

Oremus pro invicem
Let us pray for each other.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “7 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article is called: “Professor Bouyer’s Regret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
    From 2005–2009, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He was considered ‘papabile’ during the last conclave. On 8 December 2008, he wrote this powerful statement concerning Gregorian Chant, participatio actuosa, celebration “ad orientem,” and other subjects. When it comes to the question of what “sacred” means, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris provides a marvelous answer.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“All those who take part in sacred music, as composers, organists, choir directors, singers, or musicians should above all give good example of Christian life to the rest of the faithful because they directly or indirectly participate in the sacred liturgy.”

— Directive issued under Pope Pius XII on 3 Sept. 1958

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