The processional is the music that accompanies the entrance of the family or casket at the start of the service. It sets the tone for everything that follows, so it's usually dignified, measured, and often instrumental. The selections below are well suited to a processional, from "Canon in D" and "Ave Maria" to "Amazing Grace" and "Air on the G String."
A processional song should be long enough to cover the full entrance without rushing — instrumental pieces are popular because they can be gracefully faded when everyone is seated. Many families pair a solemn processional with a more uplifting recessional to bookend the service.
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The processional is the music played as the family or casket enters at the start of the service. It is typically dignified and often instrumental, such as "Canon in D" or "Ave Maria."
The processional plays at the entrance, at the beginning of the service; the recessional plays at the exit, at the end. Processionals tend to be solemn, while recessionals are often more hopeful or uplifting.
Instrumental music is popular for the processional because it can be faded smoothly once everyone is seated, but a gentle vocal hymn like "Amazing Grace" also works well.