Ryanne Molinari

An Active & Imaginative Life

funeral

June 2, 2025

When Two Families Meet

At funerals and weddings, two families meet—perhaps for the first time. Such meetings can be either unspeakably sweet or unbearably awkward. I am not merely referring to parents meeting in-laws, but something more significant: the meeting of earthly and eternal families. When we gather to celebrate a marriage or mourn a death, we are confronted Continue reading

literary living

Bible, brother-in-christ, christianity, eternal-family, faith, family, family-of-god, family-of-origin, funeral, God, gods-family, Jesus, reflecting-on-funerals, siblings-in-christ, sister-in-christ, wedding
December 18, 2024

Final Words & Parting Gifts: Thoughts on Pre-Selecting Funeral Music

Earlier this week, I played for a funeral. Although this is a regular part of my job as a church organist, this particular service was uniquely encouraging. The departed was clearly a remarkable lady. Her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren sang the hymns with incredible confidence, leading me to believe she has left behind a Continue reading

literary living

church organ, church organist, faith, funeral, funerals, hymns, Jesus, memento mori, ministry, Music, organist, worship

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Nothing to say other than whole milk cappuccinos are the best writing fuel. ☕️

My postlude from Sunday: Walther’s lively setting of the Old One Hundredth. 🙌🏻 How’s your week going? I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday.

Did you still have service yesterday? If so, what did you sing? What songs do you think would best suit a frigid day?

What other composers do we unfairly limit to ONE famous piece? 😂 Alternately, what are you looking forward to playing/singing for service tomorrow?

To my dismay, my Instagram algorithm has been showing me influencer content—not content by influencers, but content aiming to help users become influencers. With increasing frequency, reels pop up in my feed with captions like this: “Don’t know what to post today? Try this!” or “Not sure what to share? Use this trending audio.”

Loved this chorale prelude on “Gottes Sohn Ist Kommen” by Johann Gottfried Walther. It’s so simple and contemplative. What did you enjoy singing or playing yesterday?

Comment on this post and I’ll send you our “Collective Funeral Playlist.” Thank you all so much for sharing your selections with me! 💛

When did you know it? Not sure or want to hear a recording? Comment “hymn help” and I’ll send you the answer and a link!

When did you know it? Not sure or want to hear a recording? Comment “hymn help” and I’ll send you the answer and a link!