Playing for Funerals

Playing for your first (or second or third) funeral can feel quite overwhelming. I've heard from many organists who have asked for help in preparing for a funeral service. What music should be played? What happens when? What registration should be used for the hymns? Funeral services, especially in an LDS service, are fairly straightforward.

In the Church Handbook of Instruction, we learn that the music should include "the comfort afforded by the Savior's Atonement and Resurrection." Additionally, we learn:

Music for funerals might include prelude music, an opening hymn, special musical selections, a closing hymn, and postlude music. Simple hymns and other songs with gospel messages are most appropriate for these occasions.  Opening and closing hymns are usually sung by the congregation.

Having played for many funerals, held both at LDS meetinghouses and mortuaries, I've found that they typically follow a similar pattern, which I'll outline below.

Prepare in Advance

For a funeral you will need a flexible amount of prelude music (I once played for a funeral that started 25 minutes late), a piece to play while the casket and family are coming in to the chapel, music for the service which will include congregational hymns and possible accompaniment for musical numbers, a piece to play as the casket and family leave, and postlude music. If possible, ask the family if they have any requests. God Be With You Till We Meet Again is very popular as the casket leaves, but once I was asked to play There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today.

Gather the pieces you plan to play, and come up with a basic registration plan. This will save you time once you are able to practice on the actual organ.

I recommend trying to find time on the organ before the day of the funeral if possible.  If not, arrive fifteen or so minutes before the viewing is scheduled to begin.  Chances are, the church or mortuary will be open, the chapel will be empty, and you'll have time to become familiar with the organ. Quickly figure out your registration plan for each piece--hopefully several of the presets will provide a starting point.

Prelude Music

Many funerals are preceded by a viewing at the location where the funeral is to be held. Because of this, quite often those attending will wait in the chapel thirty minutes or more before the service begins. Sometimes family members will be piecing together their musical number during this time as well. It's important to be flexible and make sure the family is accommodated.


You can start prelude at any time, but I try to start playing once several people are in the chapel, waiting. The purpose of the prelude music is to bring comfort, and to bear testimony of the Plan of Salvation. Choose pieces, such as Abide With Me, Nearer My God To Thee, Lead Kindly Light, Each Life that Touches Ours for Good, and Children of Our Heavenly Father. Funerals for a child could also include Primary songs, such as I Am a Child of God, Families Can Be Together Forever, I Lived in Heaven, and I Need My Heavenly Father.

Be flexible. The family will enter the chapel after the family prayer and the closing of the casket.  They may arrive earlier or later than expected. In my personal experience, the family is usually a little late. Keep an eye out towards the doors for any sign that the family is coming, and make sure your processional piece is accessible and ready to go.


The Processional

Generally, someone from the mortuary will ask the audience to please rise. This is your cue to begin the piece that you've chosen to play while the casket and family are coming in to the chapel. This piece should be easy to end or extend--have places marked where you can repeat or cadence for an ending. After the entire family has taken their seats, it will be announced for the audience to be seated, and you'll need to end the piece--take care to end on the tonic chord!

Congregational Hymns

The biggest error I've seen with congregational hymns at funerals, is lack of good foundational support from the organ. Our religious culture is one of singing! Even at a funeral service, it is important to support the congregation with adequate volume and registration, as I shared in a previous article. Some organists register with more mellow and dark registrations for funerals, but I tend to let the hymn text direct my choices. Remember--we are testifying that after death we live again. Make sure your registration choices reflect the Plan of Salvation.

Special Musical Numbers

Quite often the family will take care of these, but about half the time I'm also asked to accompany at least one special musical number, typically from the hymnal or Children's Songbook on the piano. Be prepared for this possibility. In these instances, I ask if they can meet before the viewing in the chapel for a quick run-through.

The Recessional

Following the closing prayer, I usually begin playing the piece I chose for the recessional with the expression pedals fully closed as the officiant again asks the audience to rise and the pallbearers to come forward. At that time I'll increase the volume.

At President Monson's funeral, I noticed the recessional music didn't begin until after the pallbearers were called forward. Whichever you decide is up to you, but if you do start playing immediately, make sure the officiant can be heard clearly.

Postlude

Typically one or two additional postlude pieces are sufficient. Most of the members of the audience are friends of the family who will also attend the graveside service. I usually finish up the recessional piece and play one additional arrangement.

In Conclusion

Once you know what to expect, playing for funerals doesn't differ too much from playing for a traditional worship service. Good preparation and flexibility is key!

What are your favorite pieces and arrangements for funerals?