Music for infant funeral

[Psalm Project]

I need some urgent guidance for a funeral of a fourteen month old infant (cot death) - tomorrow (21st January 09).
It has been decided that there will not be a singer / choir / cantor. the parents wish to have only organ music.
My dilemma is appropriate music which celebrates the short life of the child...

I am thinking along the lines of 'I am yours' - The cloud's veil - The light of Christ...

I would greatly appreciate any assistance anyone can offer.

Patrick

[docmattc]

For a new born infant's funeral a couple of years ago we used 'The Cloud's Veil' and Haas 'You are mine'.

[Psalm Project]

Thank you for this - I got one title incorrect! You are mine is what I meant...
Thank you again.

[VML]

Sometimes the very simplest of hymn melodies that may strike a chord with someone and bring the words to mind are good at such times.
Be still and know I am with you,
Be still and know that I am God
Do not be afraid
On eagle's wings

These seem to me better than the ones that I have had to play at infant requiems: usually Morning has broken, and All things bright...

[HallamPhil]

It's too late now to comment on the funeral but I would offer Cradling Song by John Bell in the 'When grief is raw' collection. It may be that you only offer the text or recording (I will not sing alone CD) as food for thought for them or those who, in friendship and trust, are able to go deep some time after the funeral when the parents might be more able to reflect after some elements of the trauma have settled.

I have used ths song particularly in situations of miscarriage but feel that its reflections on lost potential would be appropriate to the situation you refer to.

[festivaltrumpet]

I believe the composer reflects on the genesis of this moving piece under the title "A Song for Jennifer" in an issue of the society's journal published in 2008.

[Psalm Project]

Thank you to all of you for your input - I appreciate it.
Just to give you feedback - at her request, I spent nearly two hours with one of the grandmothers of the child last evening.

Her grief was raw and the poor woman choked to get the words out. I am not often in such a situation and you would want to have a heart of stone not to be deeply moved.
After weighing up all the possibilities she decided to choose a classical programme instead of hymns.
I played Air from Handle's water music and Pachelbel Canon to lead into the mass
The Bach Gounod no.1 prelude (aka. Ave Maria)
Sheep may safely graze - Bach
Eagles wings - Joncas
Jesu joy of man's desiring - Bach

So, it was a traumatic day - Small coffins and young parents make for a profoundly sad situation - something about it does not seem right.
Only the man above knows why.

Thank you all again

[organist]

Comforting choices and oddly wedding music. I have recently been invovled in a study of the attitude of believers to pain and my view on this has changed. I used to feel guilt and think God was punishing me for my sins if I had back pain but now I can't see how God can punish the innocent. It's the greatest mystery of all!