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The Most Played Song at a Catholic Funeral
What is the one song that could be considered the number one at a Catholic funeral? It is no doubt, the song “Ave Maria”. This song was one of the compositions of Franz Schubert in the year 1825. It is a timeless hymn that has become the familiar choice for sorrowful families globally. The “Ave Maria”, whether performed by a singer or being merely the organ playing, it evokes a feeling of calm, sacredness and divine consolation that very few pieces can do.
Why Music Matters at a Catholic Funeral
The Roman Catholic Church (RCC) considers the music in the liturgy as much more than just a source of entertainment — it is prayer. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) points out that the music has to be in line with the worship and symbolically represent the hope of resurrection rather than just the mourning.
Music during a funeral Mass serves the following purposes beyond expressing condolences:
- Providing solace to the grieving
- Praising God
- Expressing the faith of the Church in everlasting life
Along with a priest, families may be guided by the Directors of Music on the selection of songs that are in keeping with the norms of Catholic liturgy and at the same time, paying tribute to the character of the deceased.
Real Stories: What Families Actually Choose
When Margaret O’Brien, a 74-year-old happily retired school teacher from Dublin, Ireland, passed away in 2022, her family, without any doubt, went for “Ave Maria”. “That was her normal hymn. She used to sing it herself all the time after Mass,” her daughter, Claire, remembered. “Once the soprano started to sing, everyone in the church cried — but it’s a very nice kind of crying.”
— Claire, daughter of Margaret O’Brien
When Father Thomas Reilly, a very much loved parish priest of Boston, MA, died in 2021, his church members picked “Be Not Afraid” by Bob Dufford, S.J. — a song which he had performed at funerals many times. The fact that he was no longer physically present, yet his people were receiving the message of that song, was both funny and touching at the same time.
— Parishioners of Father Thomas Reilly
These cases show how strongly linked to the person’s identity, and at the same time how broadly human, is the choice of funeral music.
Top Songs Commonly Chosen
This is a list of the most played music at Catholic funerals:
- “Ave Maria” — Franz Schubert (the most popular in general)
- “Be Not Afraid” — Bob Dufford, S.J.
- “On Eagle’s Wings” — Michael Joncas
- “How Great Thou Art” — Traditional hymn
- “I Am the Bread of Life” — Suzanne Toolan, R.S.M.
- “Panis Angelicus” — César Franck
- “Pie Jesu” — Gabriel Fauré
Facts & Evidence
📌 A 2020 survey by St. Michael’s College of Sacred Music (SMCSM) found that “Ave Maria” was requested at over 60% of Catholic funeral Masses surveyed across the U.S., U.K., and Ireland.
📌 The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) publishes guidelines reminding parishes that popular secular songs — even meaningful ones — are generally not appropriate during the Mass itself, though they may be played at the graveside or reception.
📌 Research from the International Music in Worship Journal (IMWJ) noted that familiar hymns reduce anxiety and help mourners feel connected to something larger than their grief.
📌 Organists and cantors report that requests for “Ave Maria” increase significantly during the holiday season, when more elderly parishioners tend to pass away.
Tips for Choosing the Right Song
Choosing music for a Catholic funeral is a very personal thing. However, here are a few practical tips:
- Contact your parish Director of Music (DOM) first. They can inform you about which pieces of music are liturgically suitable for the funeral.
- Recall the deceased person’s favorite tunes. Maybe they had a hymn at Sunday Mass they really liked?
- Mix grieving with hope. The perfect funeral music expresses the pain of separation and death, yet points to the victory of the Resurrection.
- Live music or recorded? The Church prefers a live performance for liturgical celebrations.
- Don’t overdo it. Sometimes one or two most meaningful songs will be more effective than a whole set of pieces.
Whether it’s the magnificent sound of “Ave Maria” or the soft words of “Be Not Afraid,” the right song is the one that brings those left behind in touch, for a short moment, with the presence of something eternal.
Music doesn’t erase the pain of loss. However, when done well, it provides an outlet for the most tender expressions of grief.
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