Dyball and Whelan didn’t get to funerals in their talk, but since there was really already far too much for an hour in their presentation, that is understandable.
Let’s see how we go without their guidance:
Starting with CWB II, which I have previously described as a marvellous work of scholarship and a great resource for liturgical advice but a poor hymn book. However, when it comes to funerals they don’t stint:
140 Guidelines on funerals, especially the choice of music, which is sure to upset some people, no football songs being recommended. Funerals seem to me to be only peripherally for the deceased and mostly for the bereaved, and I’m sure pastoral needs can be met while keeping funerals liturgically and symbolically functional.
141 Fare well, we come to send you on your way (text, Michael Rayner Thwaites, FINLANDIA) also 142 Be still, my soul (text, Katharina von Schlegel, trans Jane Borthwick, FINLANDIA)
142 Go Silent Friend (text, John Bell, LONDONDERRY AIR) I heard Bell talk about this song on his DVD – it is a masterly and moving text.
144 I know that my redeemer lives (text, ICEL, WINCHESTER NEW)
145 I know that my redeemer lives (Scott Soper) AOV 2/34 sheet music
146 O Lord, you died that all might live (text, Richard Frederick Littledale, MELITA)
147 Sing with the saints in glory (text, William J. Irons, HYMN TO JOY)
148 There is a place (Bell/Maule) sheet music for children’s funerals if you are made of stern stuff
149 When human voices cannot sing (text Shirley Erena Murray, ST COLUMBA) If it isn’t John Bell it’s Shirley Murray isn’t it. It is also in GA 236 and TIS 682.
150 Come to his/her aid (Song of farewell) (text Dennis C. Smolarski, OLD 100th)
151 O come to meet her/him, saints of God (Song of farewell) (text Delores Dufner, RICHMOND)
152 Saints of God, come to his/her aid (Song of farewell) (text ICEL, music Jennifer O’Brien)
153 Saints of God, come to his/her aid (text ICEL, music Phillip Duffy)
This is chant, so you are on your own, apart from this recent clip from Drew Wilson – many thanks. (By the way if you google funeral songs, you start to get ads for funeral insurance – what a wonderful world we live in.)
154 May flights of angels (text In paridisium trans James Quinn, SONG 1)
155 May saints and angels lead you on (text, ICEL, TALLIS’ CANON)
156 May songs of the angels (Song of the Angels) (Dufford) sheet music
157 May the choirs of angels aka Song of Farewell (Ernest Sands) sheet music
158 a-e Latin funeral chants
This is a nice resource for psalms to use at funerals from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. I think any good setting of Psalm 23 would do.
I have a few other suggestions:
The hand of God shall hold you (Haugen) sheet music I am always touched by this one.
Give thanks for life (Shirley Erina Murray) – pick a setting of your choice.
See, I make all things new (Canedo) sheet music
I will rest in you (ValLimar Jansen, Frank Jansen) sheet music
Deep Peace (Barbara Bridge) sheet music
Saints and beloved of God (Schutte) sheet music
Carry me home (Alstott/Modlin) sheet music
I shall see God (Erica Marshall) sheet music
Into Paradise (Leo Watt)
Eagles wings (Frank Andersen) sheet music
… and I could go on.
If anyone wanted to add suggestions that might help us all for any of the sacraments, feel free to respond in the comments.
Suffice to say that I am grateful to Fiona Dyball and Damian Whelan for bending the space-time continuum to fit a conference into a one hour session.