Funeral music should be tasteful, in keeping

Firstly, the funeral guidelines issued by the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth (readily available on their website: www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk), entitled, 'Guidelines for Funerals and the Care of the Terminally Ill', are not something created on impulse by Bishop Philip Egan and his associates at Bishop's House, Portsmouth.

Rather, the guidelines are based on and referenced to the official position of the Catholic Church, coming from the Vatican and upheld by all Catholic dioceses throughout England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and beyond. It just so happens that this diocese has reaffirmed in recent months (the document is dated Easter 2014) what the Church has always upheld. Now, whether in practice the official stance of the Church has always been complied with is another issue for discussing elsewhere.

Kudos to Bishop Egan for being counter-cultural, and he deserves admiration for being bold and forthright in upholding this and so many other issues.

For the Catholic, the funeral liturgy is not about canonising the deceased, or even celebrating and remembering his or her life. Yes, it is important to celebrate and remember, and within the funeral service, we do – the Catholic Church is compassionate, sensitive and human too – but the primary function of the funeral is to pray for the happy repose of the soul of the deceased that they will share with the countless millions of men, women and children who have died faithful to God.

Secondary to this is the offering of consolation to the bereaved. Experience shows that the funeral service held in a Catholic context with its symbols, gestures, prayers and Bible readings are a powerful source of consolation to the congregation, even those of little or no faith.

Take as an example, 'I Did it My Way'. Frank Sinatra was a fabulous musician and this song a true classic, but the lyrics are so anti-Church that having a recording of the man himself singing, 'And more, much more than this, I did it my way' contradicts everything someone desirous of a Christian funeral should want, for I did not do it my way, surely I tried to do it God's way?

Many might be calling for 'freedom of choice' and deeming the decision (which, as I have already said, is simply reiterating something long taught by the Church) as 'ludicrous', but what I struggle to understand is how anyone who has asked to have a Christian funeral and burial is not content with keeping the ceremonial and service just that – Christian.

Of course, Guernsey provides alternative funerals outside of a church or religious environment, with humanist celebrants 'ordained' for this task.

Because of 'freedom of choice', next time I am at a disco, if such things occur these days, can I ask and be granted my wish that Psalm 23, The Lord's My Shepherd (to Crimond), be played for the partygoers to both dance and sing to?

Actually, though, I would not, because it would not be in keeping with the event, nor would it be tasteful, and it may even be quite offensive to some guests.

In the same vein, having a rendition of Queen singing 'We Are the Champions' at the end of a funeral, in a building consecrated for the worship of God, is also distasteful and offensive to a believer/worshipper, even if that believer is, like me, a fan of Queen.

In the document the Diocese of Portsmouth has issued, it states quite clearly in black and white that yes, sometimes people request secular songs and music to be played in Church, but '… the Church does not usually permit this…' Note there the word 'usually'. Music deemed inappropriate for the Church is not always inappropriate at the crematorium or the reception afterwards.

As an organist, I often play music popularised over the years but which still has a beautiful melody, which can aid a congregation's prayer, lift their spirits and enable contemplation.

Likewise with personal eulogies, tributes and non-religious readings; the Catholic Church has never allowed such things at a funeral, even though so often in practice they are permitted.

Most ministers will incorporate elements of the deceased's life within his homily or address. However, if one does desire to make a short eulogy, they can do so at the start of the service. Yet what the guidelines suggest makes common sense that such tributes might be better suited to '… the more relaxed context of the wake or gathering afterwards…'

At the end of the day, more is being made of this issue than need be. For whatever reason, some are trying to sensationalise it and to pick yet another fight with the Catholic Church. I do wonder how long it is before someone mentions Vatican cover-ups, celibacy and the like.

LUKE O'DONNELL,

Organist and director of music,

Catholic Church, Guernsey.