Q: People seem to have lost a sense that death is a time to pray for the deceased, not to assume that they went straight to heaven. Funerals are not canonizations, but they can often sound like it.
One of my colleagues wants the Widor Toccata from Symphony No. 5 played at his funeral. I don’t think it’s appropriate. Just because it’s organ music without words, that does not automatically make it liturgically appropriate. Of course, the same argument would prohibit its use at (after) Mass even at Easter. What would you say?
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A: I share your observation that funerals are not canonizations. A close read of the missal’s prayers makes this plain. Still, the reforms added the paschal candle to the funeral rites as a sign of hope in the resurrection, and that’s a pretty big symbol plop in the middle of a funeral.
The Widor Toccata makes a fine postlude for Easter. I’m hesitant to add it to a funeral. But there’s no rule against it. At a funeral, those who associate the toccata with Easter would find the same association with the paschal candle. It’s all a question of how one interprets the symbols within the liturgical context.