Liturgy & Music
On this page you will find liturgical resources for the Institution of new incumbents, for Confirmation and for other services.
Funeral and Bereavement Resources for Exceptional Times
With restrictions on gatherings imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus Covid–19, this resource aims to provide information to clergy who may need to conduct a funeral. The information below is based on Government advice issued on April 7 2020 and we will endeavour to ensure that it is maintained in line with guidelines as they develop. As this is an evolving situation, please check also with the Government website www.gov.ie
A shortened form of Funeral Service has been commended for use by the Archbishop in these United Dioceses for the duration of this emergency. All of the bishops of the Church of Ireland recommend that for the present and for the foreseeable future funeral services which involve an interment begin and end at the graveside. For cremation it is important that clergy involved work the matter through with family and undertakers.
A shortened form of the Funeral Service for use at this time is available here.
Act of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at Home
Funeral Services
The Government’s objective is to ensure that families are able to bury their loved ones in a respectful manner while ensuring that all involved – mourners, funeral directors, the religious and others who officiate at services and other workers – are protected from Covid–19.
The Government has produced a Guide for the Bereaved during the Covid–19 Pandemic. This guide is concerned with the period from the time a death occurs up to the burial or cremation. It is intended to provide clear advice as to what bereaved families might expect as they make funeral arrangements. In particular, it outlines the changes that have become necessary to what are often fundamental and time honoured rituals and processes associated with marking the passing of a loved one during the COVID–19 pandemic. You can download that guide here.
The Health Service Executive has published guidance to funeral directors on April 1. It is available here.
Currently, immediate family members – which in general should not exceed 10 people – can still attend funeral services, burials and cremations, provided that social distancing rules are respected. Numbers may be further restricted in enclosed spaces. Details of those who should attend are included in the Government’s Guide for the Bereaved.
Please check for updates on this advice.
Assisting with Bereavement
The Irish Hospice Foundation has put together a number of resources to enable people to assist those who are bereaved at this exceptional time of the pandemic.
https://hospicefoundation.ie/bereavement-2-2/covid19-care-and-inform/
RESOURCES:
Helping Children Grieve During COVID–19 Restrictions
Planning a Funeral in Exceptional Times
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From time to time, the page will provide details of liturgy training and there also is information helpful to musicians.
Music
Church Music Dublin (the Dublin and Glendalough Diocesan Church Music Committee), supports music and musicians in local churches. There two main strands to its work – Information and Training. In particular, CMD offers a three–year course in organ playing, choir–training and the role of music in worship, leading to the Archbishop of Dublin’s Certificate in Church Music. The magazine Soundboard is distributed to musicians throughout the united dioceses and increasingly elsewhere in Ireland. For more information visit the Church Music Dublin website.
CMD has produced a number of educational and training videos, which may be viewed on the website. While primarily aimed at musicians and clergy, many other people will find the videos interesting.
Liturgy
Institution of an Incumbent 2014
Guidelines for Conducting Funerals within the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough