Music has a unique way of expressing what words cannot.

God’s Gift for Music provides reverent and thoughtful liturgical music for Catholic funerals, memorial Masses, and celebrations of life throughout Austin and Central Texas.

We can assist with both the performance of the music and the process of selecting appropriate hymns for the service.

FUNERAL MUSIC PACKAGES

Solo Voice + Guitar

$175

A simple and intimate musical setting featuring voice and acoustic guitar.

Solo Voice + Flute

$300

Voice accompanied by flute for a gentle and reflective musical setting.

Solo Voice + Piano

$350

Voice accompanied by piano for a traditional and versatile liturgical setting.

Solo Voice + Flute + Piano

$475

A fuller musical setting combining voice, piano, and flute.

Printed Service Programs

$100

Includes approximately 50–60 printed programs containing the order of service, readings, music, and other selected liturgical information.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO PLAN THE MUSIC ALONE

Planning a funeral can be overwhelming, particularly when a family is unfamiliar with the structure of the Catholic Mass.

God’s Gift for Music can help guide you through selecting appropriate hymns, Psalms, Communion music, and other musical portions of the liturgy.

You are welcome to choose music from the selections below, or contact us for recommendations based on the readings, season, and character of the service.

PLAN THE FUNERAL LITURGY

ORDER OF THE FUNERAL MASS

The following is the general order of a Catholic Funeral Mass. Items in parentheses indicate the selections that the family will need to make.

Prelude
(Optional music before the liturgy begins)

Gathering Hymn
(Choose one hymn)

First Reading
(Choose one Scripture reading)

Responsorial Psalm
(Choose one Psalm and response)

Second Reading
(Choose one Scripture reading)

Gospel Acclamation
(Selected according to the Gospel)

Gospel Reading
(Choose one Gospel reading in consultation with the priest)

Homily

Prayer of the Faithful

Preparation of the Gifts / Meditation Hymn
(Choose one hymn)

Liturgy of the Eucharist
(Mass setting provided)

The Lord’s Prayer
(May be sung or recited)

Communion
(Choose one Communion hymn)

Rite of Final Commendation / Song of Farewell
(Choose an approved selection)

Recessional Hymn
(Choose one hymn)

ABOUT MUSIC SELECTIONS

The following selections are provided to help families plan a meaningful and reverent Funeral Mass.

Because individual Catholic parishes may have their own liturgical music policies, all music selections remain subject to the approval of the church and presiding clergy.

Catholic Liturgical identifies music commonly used within Catholic worship.

Classic Hymn identifies traditional sacred hymns from the broader Christian hymn tradition.

Contemporary Christian identifies modern sacred songs that may be appropriate where permitted.

Original identifies original music composed by Jason Euresti.

Some selections require piano accompaniment and are marked Piano Required.

PRELUDE

Prelude music is played before the Funeral Mass begins as family members and guests gather.

• Amazing Grace (Classic Hymn)
• Be Not Afraid (Catholic Liturgical)
• Be Still, My Soul (Classic Hymn)
• Be Thou My Vision (Classic Hymn)
• Come My Child — Jason Euresti (Original)
• Come to Jesus — Chris Tomlin (Contemporary Christian)
• Eye Has Not Seen (Catholic Liturgical)
• Give Me Jesus (Classic Hymn)
• Here I Am, Lord (Catholic Liturgical)
• I Need Thee Every Hour (Classic Hymn)
• I Surrender All (Classic Hymn)
• I Will Rise — Chris Tomlin (Contemporary Christian • Piano Required)
• It Is Well with My Soul (Classic Hymn)
• Like a Shepherd (Catholic Liturgical)
• Look for Me (Contemporary Sacred)
• Love Lifted Me (Classic Hymn)
• Nearer, My God, to Thee (Classic Hymn)
• O That Will Be Glory (Classic Hymn)
• On Bended Knee — Cindy Deville (Contemporary Sacred)
• On Eagle’s Wings (Catholic Liturgical)
• Only in God (Catholic Liturgical)
• Prayer of St. Francis / Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (Catholic Sacred)
• Shepherd Me, O God (Catholic Liturgical)
• Shepherd of My Heart — Sandi Patty (Contemporary Christian)
• The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Classic Hymn)
• There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood (Classic Hymn)
• To Where You Are — Josh Groban (Contemporary Sacred)
• We Remember (Catholic Liturgical)
• When I Fly — Jason Euresti (Original)
• You Are Mine (Catholic Liturgical)
• You Are Near (Catholic Liturgical)
• You Raise Me Up — Josh Groban (Contemporary Sacred)

GATHERING HYMN

Choose one Gathering Hymn for the entrance procession and beginning of the Funeral Mass.

• Children of the Heavenly Father (Classic Hymn)
• For All the Saints (Classic Hymn)
• How Gracious Are Thy Mercies, Lord (Classic Hymn)
• I Belong to the King (Classic Hymn)
• I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (Classic Hymn)
• I Know That My Redeemer Lives (Catholic Liturgical)
• In the Garden (Classic Hymn)
• Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (Classic Hymn)
• Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me (Classic Hymn)
• Just As I Am (Classic Hymn)
• Morning Has Broken (Classic Hymn)
• Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior (Classic Hymn)
• Precious Lord, Take My Hand (Classic Hymn)
• Softly and Tenderly (Classic Hymn)
• The Beautiful Garden of Prayer (Classic Hymn)
• The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Classic Hymn)
• The Lord’s My Shepherd (Classic Hymn)
• Thy Holy Wings (Classic Hymn)
• Under His Wings I Am Safely Abiding (Classic Hymn)
• Valleys of Green (Classic Hymn)
• We Come to You for Healing, Lord (Catholic Liturgical)

FIRST READING

Choose one reading.

Ordinary Time

1. He acted in an excellent and noble way as he had the resurrection of the dead in view.
   2 Maccabees 12:43–46
2. I know that my Vindicator lives.
   Job 19:1, 23–27a
3. As sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
   Wisdom 3:1–9
4. An unsullied life, the attainment of old age.
   Wisdom 4:7–15
5. He will destroy death forever.
   Isaiah 25:6a, 7–9
6. It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.
   Lamentations 3:17–26
7. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.
   Daniel 12:1–3

Easter Time

1. He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.
   Acts 10:34–43
2. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
   Revelation 14:13
3. The dead were judged according to their deeds.
   Revelation 20:11–21:1
4. There shall be no more death.
   Revelation 21:1–5a, 6b–7

RESPONSORIAL PSALM FOR THE FUNERAL LITURGY

Choose one Psalm.

Some Psalms offer more than one possible congregational response. Please review the available responses and select the one you would like the congregation to sing.

PSALM 23

• The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
• Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

PSALM 25

• To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
• No one who waits for you, O Lord, will ever be put to shame.

PSALM 27

• The Lord is my light and my salvation.
• I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

PSALM 42

• My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?

PSALM 63

• My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

PSALM 103

• The Lord is kind and merciful.
• The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

PSALM 116

• I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

PSALM 122

• I rejoiced when I heard them say: let us go to the house of the Lord.
• Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

PSALM 130

• Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord.
• I hope in the Lord; I trust in his word.

PSALM 143

• O Lord, hear my prayer.

SECOND READING

Choose one reading.

1. Since we are now justified by his Blood, we will be saved through him from wrath.
   Romans 5:5–11
2. Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.
   Romans 5:17–21
3. We too might live in newness of life.
   Romans 6:3–9
4. We also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
   Romans 8:14–23
5. What will separate us from the love of Christ?
   Romans 8:31b–35, 37–39
6. Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
   Romans 14:7–9, 10c–12
7. So too in Christ shall all be brought to life.
   1 Corinthians 15:20–28
8. Death is swallowed up in victory.
   1 Corinthians 15:51–57
9. What is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.
   2 Corinthians 4:14–5:1
10. He will change our lowly bodies to conform to his glory.
    Philippians 3:20–21
11. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.
    1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
12. If we have died with him, we shall also live with him.
    2 Timothy 2:8–13
13. We shall see him as he is.
    1 John 3:1–2
14. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters.
    1 John 3:14–16

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Gospel Acclamation is selected according to the Gospel reading.

The appropriate Alleluia or Gospel Acclamation will be provided based upon the Gospel chosen and the liturgical season.

GOSPEL READING

Choose one Gospel reading in consultation with the priest.

1. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
   Matthew 5:1–12a
2. Come to me and I will give you rest.
   Matthew 11:25–30
3. Behold the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!
   Matthew 25:1–13
4. Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
   Mark 15:33–39; 16:1–6
5. Young man, I tell you, arise!
   Luke 7:11–17
6. You also must be prepared.
   Luke 12:35–40
7. Today you will be with me in Paradise.
   Luke 23:33, 39–43
8. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
   Luke 23:44–46, 50, 52–53; 24:1–6a
9. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?
   Luke 24:13–35
10. Whoever hears my word and believes has passed from death into life.
    John 5:24–29
11. Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.
    John 6:37–40
12. Whoever eats this bread will live forever, and I will raise them up on the last day.
    John 6:51–59
13. I am the resurrection and the life.
    John 11:17–27
14. Lazarus, come out!
    John 11:32–45
15. If a grain of wheat dies, it produces much fruit.
    John 12:23–28
16. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
    John 14:1–6
17. I wish that where I am they also may be with me.
    John 17:24–26
18. And bowing his head, he handed over his spirit.
    John 19:17–18, 25–30

HYMN OF THE DAY / OFFERTORY

Choose one hymn.

• Abide with Me (Classic Hymn)
• All the Way My Savior Leads Me (Classic Hymn)
• Amazing Grace (Classic Hymn)
• Be God for Her / Be God for Him (Catholic Sacred • Piano Required)
• Be Not Afraid (Catholic Liturgical)
• Be Still, My Soul (Classic Hymn)
• Calvary Covers It All (Classic Hymn)
• Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Classic Hymn)
• Eye Has Not Seen (Catholic Liturgical)
• Give Me Jesus (Classic Hymn)
• Give Thanks for Life (Classic Hymn)
• God, Each Day You Give Is Precious (Classic Hymn)
• Grace Greater Than Our Sin (Classic Hymn)
• Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Classic Hymn)
• Great Redeemer, We Adore Thee (Classic Hymn)
• He Hideth My Soul (Classic Hymn)
• He Is So Precious to Me (Classic Hymn)
• Healer of Our Every Ill (Catholic Liturgical)
• Hiding in Thee (Classic Hymn)
• I Know That My Redeemer Lives (Catholic Liturgical)
• I Stand Amazed in the Presence (Classic Hymn)
• In Heavenly Love Abiding (Classic Hymn)
• It Is Well with My Soul (Classic Hymn)
• I Will Sing the Wondrous Story (Classic Hymn)
• I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone (Classic Hymn)
• Like a Shepherd (Catholic Liturgical)
• Lord of All Hopefulness (Classic Hymn)
• Lord of the Living (Classic Hymn)
• My Jesus, I Love Thee (Classic Hymn)
• Near to the Heart of God (Classic Hymn)
• Not One Sparrow Is Forgotten (Catholic Sacred • Piano Only)
• O Lord of Life, Where’er They Be (Classic Hymn)
• O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee (Classic Hymn)
• O That Will Be Glory (Classic Hymn)
• On Eagle’s Wings (Catholic Liturgical)
• Precious Hiding Place (Classic Hymn)
• Prayer of St. Francis / Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (Catholic Sacred)
• Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me (Classic Hymn)
• Shelter Me, O God (Catholic Liturgical)
• Shepherd Me, O God (Catholic Liturgical)
• Sweet Hour of Prayer (Classic Hymn)
• The Old Rugged Cross (Classic Hymn)
• There Is a Balm in Gilead (Classic Hymn)
• There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood (Classic Hymn)
• ’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (Classic Hymn)
• Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Classic Hymn)
• Unless a Grain of Wheat (Catholic Liturgical)
• We Remember (Catholic Liturgical)
• We Shall Rise Again (Catholic Liturgical)
• What Wondrous Love Is This (Classic Hymn • Piano Required)
• Where My Father Lives (Classic Hymn)

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

The ordinary parts of the Mass will be provided according to the musical setting being used.

Sanctus / Holy, Holy, Holy

Mystery of Faith

Great Amen

The Lord’s Prayer
May be sung or recited.

Lamb of God

COMMUNION

Choose one Communion hymn.

Because Communion is a specifically Eucharistic portion of the Mass, selections in this section focus on Christ, the Eucharist, unity, and our participation in the life of Christ.

• Be Known to Us in Breaking Bread (Catholic Liturgical)
• Behold the Lamb (Catholic Liturgical)
• Blest Are They (Catholic Liturgical)
• Bread for the World in Mercy Broken (Classic Eucharistic Hymn • Piano Required)
• Bread of Life from Heaven (Catholic Liturgical)
• Eat This Bread (Catholic Liturgical)
• Gift of Finest Wheat (Catholic Liturgical)
• Here at Thy Table, Lord (Classic Eucharistic Hymn)
• I Am the Bread of Life (Catholic Liturgical)
• Jesus, Come to Us (Catholic Liturgical)
• O Living Bread from Heaven (Classic Eucharistic Hymn)
• One Bread, One Body (Catholic Liturgical)
• Panis Angelicus (Catholic Sacred)
• Take and Eat (Catholic Liturgical)
• Taste and See (Catholic Liturgical)
• The King of Heaven His Table Spreads (Classic Eucharistic Hymn • Piano Required)
• The Supper of the Lord (Catholic Liturgical)
• Ubi Caritas (Catholic Liturgical)
• Unless a Grain of Wheat (Catholic Liturgical)
• Worthy Is the Lamb (Catholic Sacred)

RITE OF FINAL COMMENDATION / SONG OF FAREWELL

The Final Commendation is the Church’s final farewell before the procession leaves the church. The priest incenses the body or cremated remains, and the congregation joins in a final prayer of commendation.

Choose one selection where permitted by the parish.

• In Paradisum (Catholic Liturgical)
• May the Angels Lead You into Paradise (Catholic Liturgical)
• May the Choirs of Angels (Catholic Liturgical)
• Pie Jesu (Catholic Sacred • Piano Required)
• Saints of God, Come to His/Her Aid (Catholic Liturgical)
• Song of Farewell (Catholic Liturgical)

RECESSIONAL HYMN

Choose one hymn for the procession from the church.

• An Old Irish Blessing (Catholic Sacred • Piano Required)
• Close to Thee (Classic Hymn)
• Face to Face (Classic Hymn)
• Fly Like a Bird (Catholic Liturgical)
• Footprints of Jesus (Classic Hymn)
• For All the Saints (Classic Hymn)
• From Every Stormy Wind That Blows (Classic Hymn)
• God Be with You Till We Meet Again (Classic Hymn)
• He Leadeth Me (Classic Hymn)
• How Great Thou Art (Classic Hymn)
• I Am Coming, Lord (Classic Hymn)
• I Am His, and He Is Mine (Classic Hymn)
• I Hear Thy Welcome Voice (Classic Hymn)
• I Know That My Redeemer Lives (Catholic Liturgical)
• I’ll Fly Away (Classic Hymn)
• I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go (Classic Hymn)
• In Heaven Above (Classic Hymn)
• Jerusalem, My Happy Home (Classic Hymn)
• Just a Closer Walk with Thee (Classic Hymn)
• Let Saints on Earth in Concert Sing (Classic Hymn)
• Lord, I’m Coming Home (Classic Hymn)
• Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me (Classic Hymn)
• Merciful Savior, Hear Our Humble Prayer (Classic Hymn)
• Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory (Classic Hymn)
• My Savior First of All (Classic Hymn)
• Nearer, My God, to Thee (Classic Hymn)
• O Lord, You Died That All Might Live (Classic Hymn)
• On Eagle’s Wings (Catholic Liturgical)
• Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty (Classic Hymn)
• Prayer of St. Francis / Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (Catholic Sacred)
• Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me (Classic Hymn)
• Safe in the Arms of Jesus (Classic Hymn)
• Sing with All the Saints in Glory (Classic Hymn)
• The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me (Classic Hymn)
• The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Classic Hymn)
• The Way of the Cross Leads Home (Classic Hymn)
• There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood (Classic Hymn)
• There’s a Land That Is Fairer Than Day (Classic Hymn)
• We Shall Rise Again (Catholic Liturgical)
• When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder (Classic Hymn)
• Where the Roses Never Fade (Classic Hymn)
• Wherever He Leads I’ll Go (Classic Hymn)