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What is a Funeral Choir?
Madison Choral Project is a group of church members who, when available, sing for Masses of Christian Burial. This ministry is open to anyone who wants to serve this way.
Well-chosen music can aid mourners in lifting their hearts to the God of all comfort. It can transform what could easily be a service for the crowd into a truly worshipful one.
A funeral choir is a group of people who make themselves available to sing at services when requested by families. It is a wonderful corporal work of mercy that can comfort grieving families, especially when they hear their loved ones’ voices in the church’s song. Typically, funeral choir members will have an established group of hymns that they will sing regularly and will only need to rehearse new pieces once before a service, if at all. The singers also may want to dress in a way that is appropriate for the service.
The term “requiem” commonly applies to musical settings of portions of the Mass for the Dead (Requiem aeternam dona eis, lux perpetua luceat eis). Historically, these works have been sung at special masses or to accompany funerals. Many early works, such as the Missa pro defunctis by Tomas Luis de Victoria or the Requiem of the Dead by Gabriel Faure, were written as Gregorian chants and are still used today. However, as the composers moved into the 18th and 19th centuries, their requiems often became dramatic concert works. The orchestras and instrumental forces required by these works were often too large or too long for ordinary funerals to accommodate.
As late as the 20th century, requiems continued to take greater and greater liberties with the text of the Mass for the Dead. For example, Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem combines passages from the Mass with the poetry of Wilfred Owen and is a potent reminder of the horrors of world war.
For those who prefer a lighter touch, hiring a solo funeral singer to perform at the service is always possible. A solo funeral singer will have a much wider selection of music from which to choose, including popular songs and musical theatre pieces. They will also be able to quickly find and learn any piece of music that the family might request for the service.
The funeral choir must have a good balance of experienced and inexperienced singers. Those with limited experience may need help to keep up with the more advanced parts and can end up sounding shaky. Professional singers should be able to give the funeral choir a strong foundation of musical support and help them to communicate more cohesively as they sing together.
Although some people think funerals should be a sad and serious occasion, it is also possible to have a more positive service. Choosing uplifting hymns can help with this. For example, “Love Divine” reminds congregants that love can keep them from doing so even when the darkness of grief threatens to extinguish all hope.
Likewise, Morning Has Broken’s joyful melody and lyrics can comfort mourners that their loved ones aren’t alone in the darkest hours of loss. Similarly, the song “Old Rugged Cross” may be a country and Western classic, but its lyrics of being guided through the wilderness to a place where the thirsty will be quenched make it a suitable funeral hymn for many families.
A similar sentiment is found in the classic “In Paradisum.” Its high, floating melody tenderly evokes Heaven and makes it a fitting choice for funerals that focus on finding comfort in believing that those we love will be reunited with us.
Several traditional Christian hymns are appropriate for funerals. The opening lines of the Lord’s Prayer, set to music by Franz Schubert, are a familiar comfort for all faiths and have been recorded by countless musicians over the years. The Irish folk song “A Gaelic Blessing,” based on an old Irish prayer, may seem strange for a funeral, but its message of peace and hope for the future is universal.
Another Christian hymn often used for funerals is the “Laudate Dominum” anthem from Mozart’s Coronation Mass. This choral piece, which features a tranquil and beautiful melody, is a perfect way to end the funeral service. Alternatively, the prayer of St Richard of Chichester can provide comfort for those who struggle to accept the death of a loved one. Its message encourages listeners to draw strength from the community of those around them and to achieve St Richard’s goal of knowing God and loving his people better. This can be particularly empowering for those who are not religious.
While funerals can feel like a time to focus on grief, it’s important to remember that they should also be uplifting. Music celebrating a loved one’s life can help mourners find hope and comfort. There are many beautiful, uplifting funeral songs to choose from. The most important thing is ensuring the music reflects the deceased person. It should be something they would enjoy, making everyone feel closer to them.
There are many great choices of classical music to play at a funeral, but many people prefer contemporary tunes. Many popular songs can be played at a funeral, including the classics such as Eric Clapton’s poignant When You’re Smiling and the more modern Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley. There are also plenty of Christian music options, such as the calming You’ll Never Walk Alone or the gentle Wind Beneath My Wings, a favorite among funeral planners.
Another good option is a traditional psalm, such as the well-known Psalm 23 or the more reflective On Eagle’s Wings. These anthems offer hope and peace to those who are mourning, and both choir and congregation can sing them. In addition, a great option is a prayer by St Richard of Chichester. This can be sung by the choir or congregation, focusing on the importance of community support during this difficult time.
Finally, an excellent choice is Ralph Vaughan Williams’ anthem for Easter. While playing this at a funeral may seem odd, it offers hope that the dead will be reunited with their loved ones and that the resurrection can bring true peace.
If you’re looking for a more contemporary song, Beyonce’s Heaven is a popular choice of funeral songs. This simple piano ballad is incredibly moving and can help mourners come to terms with the loss of their loved ones. It’s a powerful reminder that they will see their lost family members again in the next life.
When available, a funeral choir is a group of people who come to church and sing at a funeral mass or service for a deceased member of the community. It is a corporal work of mercy that can heal the grieving family. It can also be a very uplifting experience for the singers as they sing songs to console the bereaved. The funeral choir sings at a very low level, usually in unison or four-part harmony, and their song choices are chosen carefully.
Several different styles of music are suitable for funerals, including classical, pop songs, and spirituals. The latter are Southern sacred folk songs first sung by African Americans during slavery. Many original spirituals are in a call-and-response format, with back-and-forth exchanges between singers. Often, they are accompanied by a piano.
The hymnal is an excellent music source for funerals, and most include many spirituals. However, the music may be dated and not appeal to some current worshipers. The pastor may hire a professional singer or musician to provide a more up-to-date selection.
One of the best ways to find appropriate music is to check out the topical index in a hymnal. The index will give you a list of the most popular songs and hymns and a short description. Many of the more contemporary hymns and songs will be familiar to the congregation, and they will be easier for them to sing along with.
Another option is to look for new music on the internet. Many online music sites have songs that are appropriate for funerals. These songs are generally easy to learn and can be sung in unison or four-part harmony. Some of these songs are even sung in languages other than English.
A newer trend in funeral music is to use songs particularly meaningful to the deceased person, such as Calon Lan, sung by the Welsh singer Shirley Bassey at her memorial. This can create a sense of intimacy at the services, as the song reminds people of the beauty of nature and God’s gift of eternal life.
Essential Camping Gear
Whether you are pitching your tent in the backcountry or at a campground with bathroom facilities, toilet paper is an essential camping gear item. Headlamps are popular among campers, as they allow for hands-free illumination while traveling around the campsite.
A tarp is useful for keeping equipment dry, making meals and other activities easier, or covering up tents in case of rain. Bungee cords and rope are also important to have on hand to secure tents and tarps at the campsite. Visit https://jamhz.shop/ to learn more.
A tent provides shelter from the elements and a comfortable place to sleep while camping. Tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from bivy sacks that weigh only a few ounces to cabin tents that can accommodate several people. They’re also made of different materials, influencing their weight and durability.
Some tents dismantle for easier transport, while others use rigid poles that are less portable but more durable. In addition to the tent itself, you’ll need a ground cloth (tent footprint) and stakes to hold it in place.
Choose a flat spot that drains well and is free from rocks, sticks, and other debris. Spread out the footprint, if not already on the site, and lay down a tent peg / stake at each corner. Then add guy ropes (also known as taut line hitches) to the stakes to pull them tight and reinforce the structure of the tent.
Sleeping Bag
The sleeping bag is the foundation of your camp’s warmth, so be sure to choose one with a temperature rating appropriate for the season and your expected climate conditions. You can boost your comfort by adding a silk or cotton sleeping bag liner, which also prolongs the life of your main insulation.
Sleeping bags come in different shapes and sizes, including mummy and rectangular designs. A mummy-shaped bag is slimmer and features a hood that can be cinched down for extra warmth. Rectangular bags offer more room and flexibility, but can be heavier than mummy models.
Additional features to look for include draft-resistant zippers, resistance to condensation and water-resistant shell materials. If you’re camping with a partner, consider choosing a pair of rectangular sleeping bags that can be zipped together and slept in side-by-side. Some also have internal sleeves for adding a camp pillow.
Sleeping Pad
A sleeping pad cushions and insulates you from the ground, providing warmth, comfort, and support. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from compact backpacking models like Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir to fluffy mountaineering pads like Klymit’s Static V2.
The R-value of your sleeping pad determines its level of insulation; higher ratings mean more warmth. Therm-a-Rest, REI and MEC (Canada’s gear cooperative) all use the same rating system to make it easy to compare insulated pads like for like.
Some pads have a pump sack that makes it easier to inflate them, while others are designed to be self-inflating when unpacked. Some campers prefer to bring a closed-cell foam pad rather than an inflatable one; they’re more durable, less expensive and take no time to set up at camp. Foam pads can also be used as a seat during the day.
Cooking Utensils
Unlike backpacking, where weight and packability are big considerations, car camping offers the opportunity to bring along much more creature comforts in the form of plush tents, sleeping pads, and, of course, gourmet camp cooking. From a sturdy grill to a handy bench scraper, you can cook up a feast that rivals even the most well-equipped kitchen back at home.
The type of cooking utensils you choose depends on the kind of food you plan to prepare, and whether you’ll be using them in an oven or over an open fire. Ceramic and terra-cotta utensils, for example, can be used in ovens but should never be placed directly over an open flame or they may break. Glass utensils are durable and heat-resistant but they can also crack if dropped. Metal utensils are sturdy and retain heat but can be heavy in larger sizes.
Thermos
A thermos is a bottle that can keep hot things hot and cold things cold. It works by using layers of insulation to reduce heat transfer between the inside and outside of the container. It’s important to use good quality insulation, or your Thermos may not keep its contents hot or cold for very long.
Thermos was founded in 1904 and domesticated vacuum insulation technology, which is now used around the world. It is still committed to helping people protect what they love, today as much as it was when the company began.
To set up your Thermos, first remove the labels from two bottles. Wrap both of them with paper towels to make sure there are no gaps in the insulation. This also helps to prevent the bottles from slipping apart with use. Finally, tape the bottom edge of the top bottle to the bottom of the other one.
Bug Spray
Whether you’re car-camping in Yosemite or backyard-bagging, bug spray is an essential piece of camping gear. It keeps blood-sucking mosquitoes and other bugs away from you, which protects you from diseases they carry like Lyme disease or Zika.
The best bug repellent is a formula with DEET, which decades of research have shown to be the most effective. It’s important to apply it correctly (avoiding hands and eyes), avoid excursions at dusk and dawn, and stay on marked trails to keep you from wandering into brush and tall grass.
If bug spray is too chemical for you, try insect-repelling candles or coils made from safe but effective ingredients like citronella and lemon eucalyptus oil. They smell great and work just as well as DEET-based repellents. And if you’re really serious about bug-free camping, wilderness camp instructors and wildlife biologists swear by treating clothes with Permethrin, which is odorless and kills ticks and mosquitoes on contact.
Bread
Bread is one of the most important things to have on hand for camping. It makes a great breakfast or lunch when you’re out and about, and it can also be used for making sandwiches or other snacks.
Whether you’re making bannock, dutch oven bread, or a bead on a stick, baking homemade bread in camp is an exciting and easy camping skill that everyone should try at least once. All you need is a few simple ingredients and some heat!
To keep your bread fresh for camping, make sure to store it in a cool and dry area. This will help prevent it from becoming stale or developing mold. You can use a breadbox or a reusable plastic bag to store your bread, or you can wrap it in aluminum foil.
Tortillas
Tortillas are an easy and inexpensive meal option for backpackers. Look for a tortilla that doesn’t have too many preservatives and is made with ingredients you can easily find in the grocery store.
Make a simple breakfast by wrapping a tortilla around some berries and some nut butter. You can also eat it for dinner by adding enchilada sauce seasoning, tomato paste from a tube and a protein like dehydrated beans, salami or TVP.
To make homemade trail tortillas, mix all the dry ingredients in a ziploc bag. Add a bit of water to form a sticky dough. Use a fuel or water bottle to roll the dough out until it’s very thin. Then cook it on a hot skillet. When finished, wrap it in a plastic bag and keep in the cooler until needed. This will keep it fresh and moist.
Trash Bags
One of the most important things you can bring with you camping is a trash bag. This simple yet highly useful item is inexpensive, lightweight and super packable. It has several uses while backpacking or hiking that can save you time and money on trail.
Keeping gear dry is vital on backcountry camping trips. Wet clothes can make sleeping in them uncomfortable and even dangerous. It also increases the likelihood of hypothermia, so you want to avoid it at all costs.
Trash bags are a great way to keep your gear dry in an emergency. You can use them as a liner in your backpack to prevent it from getting wet or you can make an emergency stretcher out of them if someone breaks a leg. They can even be used to signal for help if you get lost in the wilderness.
Cash
A little cash is a must-have for emergencies and paying for any extras that may come up while camping. Setting a budget ahead of time is a great way to avoid overspending or letting your family’s camping trip get out of hand.
Another great way to save money on camping gear is by purchasing second-hand or used items. When buying used, it is important to research the item beforehand and inspect it thoroughly. Look for rips, tears and any other signs of wear. Also, if the item has moving parts, make sure they are working properly.
If you are looking to buy used, browse online marketplaces or other pawn shops to see what similar gear is selling for. This will help you determine whether the seller is asking for a fair price. This is especially helpful if you are planning on bartering.