Church funeral musicians in Sicily and Calabria
When a funeral is being arranged there is little time and many decisions to make. Music is one of the few that can stay simple: a tenor who sings and accompanies himself on the organ is enough for the whole funeral Mass, from the entrance of the coffin to the final commendation. Maestro Ilarion sings the chants of the liturgy, the Ave Maria by Schubert or Gounod, Panis Angelicus and, if the parish priest allows it, a piece chosen by the family.
He sings at funerals throughout Sicily and Calabria, with at least 24 hours' notice. Below you will find a page for each area, with its churches, nearby towns and the questions families ask most often.
Sicily
Church funeral musicians in Messina
From the Cathedral to the village parishes along the Strait, a funeral Mass accompanied by tenor and organ: the chants of the liturgy, the Ave Maria and a last farewell chosen with the family.
Also near Messina: Ganzirri, Torre Faro, Villafranca Tirrena, Milazzo, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Santa Teresa di Riva, Fiumedinisi.
Church funeral musicians in Taormina
Taormina, Castelmola, Giardini Naxos and the Ionian coast: small, often intimate churches where a single voice with the organ is enough to bring stillness to the whole celebration.
Also near Taormina: Castelmola, Giardini-Naxos, Letojanni, Mazzarò, Forza d'Agrò, Francavilla di Sicilia.
Church funeral musicians in Catania
Catania and the towns around Etna, from Acireale to Paternò and the Calatino area: a tenor with the organ for the funeral liturgy, with the programme agreed with the family and the parish priest.
Also near Catania: Acireale, Misterbianco, Gravina di Catania, Giarre, Paternò, Adrano, Caltagirone.
Church funeral musicians in Palermo
Palermo, Monreale, Bagheria and the coast as far as Cefalù: for the funeral Mass one musician who sings and plays himself is enough, from the chants of the liturgy to the Ave Maria.
Also near Palermo: Monreale, Bagheria, Carini, Partinico, Termini Imerese, Cefalù.
Church funeral musicians in Syracuse
Syracuse, Ortigia and the Val di Noto: tenor and organ accompany the liturgy from the entrance of the coffin to the final commendation, with pieces chosen together with the family.
Also near Syracuse: Ortigia, Noto, Avola, Floridia, Augusta, Lentini, Pachino.
Church funeral musicians in Ragusa
Ragusa, Ibla, Modica, Scicli and Vittoria: Baroque churches where the organ and a single voice discreetly accompany the funeral Mass and the last farewell.
Also near Ragusa: Ragusa Ibla, Modica, Scicli, Vittoria, Comiso, Ispica, Pozzallo.
Church funeral musicians in Agrigento
Agrigento and its province, from Favara to Sciacca and Licata: live music for the funeral Mass, with the tenor accompanying himself on the organ or piano.
Also near Agrigento: Favara, Porto Empedocle, Canicattì, Licata, Sciacca, Ribera.
Church funeral musicians in Trapani
Trapani, Erice, Marsala and Mazara del Vallo: a tenor and the organ for the chants of the funeral liturgy, with at least one day's notice to arrange the journey.
Also near Trapani: Erice, Marsala, Mazara del Vallo, Alcamo, Castelvetrano.
Church funeral musicians in Enna and Caltanissetta
In the heart of Sicily, between Enna, Piazza Armerina, Caltanissetta and Gela: the funeral Mass with the tenor at the organ, a little over an hour's drive from Catania.
Also near Enna: Enna, Piazza Armerina, Nicosia, Caltanissetta, San Cataldo, Gela.
Calabria
Church funeral musicians in Calabria
From Reggio Calabria and Villa San Giovanni, across the Strait, to Tropea and the Tyrrhenian coast: the tenor with the organ for the funeral liturgy.
Also near Reggio Calabria: Reggio Calabria, Villa San Giovanni, Scilla, Palmi, Tropea, Vibo Valentia, Lamezia Terme.
Every place where Maestro Ilarion sings
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice do you need for a funeral singer?
Maestro Ilarion asks for at least 24 hours' notice. Just send the day, time and church of the funeral: availability is confirmed as soon as possible.
Which musicians do you need for a church funeral?
A tenor who accompanies himself on the organ or piano covers the whole funeral Mass: the chants of the liturgy, the Ave Maria, Panis Angelicus and the last farewell. Maestro Ilarion sings and plays himself, with no need for a separate organist.
Can the Ave Maria be sung at a funeral?
Yes, when the parish priest agrees. The Ave Maria by Schubert and the one by Gounod are among the most requested pieces; they are usually sung after communion or at the end of the celebration. The moment is agreed with the priest.
Can the family choose a non-liturgical piece?
Yes, if the parish priest allows it. The Maestro suggests the most suitable moment in the celebration and, if the piece is not allowed during Mass, proposes an alternative close in meaning.
Who should contact the singer: the family or the funeral director?
Either the family or the funeral home arranging the funeral. All that is needed is the church, the day and the time; the music is then planned with the family and the parish priest.
Where does he sing at funerals?
Throughout Sicily — Messina, Taormina, Catania, Palermo, Syracuse, Ragusa, Agrigento, Trapani, Enna, Caltanissetta and their provinces — and in Calabria.