32 Catholic Funeral Songs, from On Eagle's Wings to In Paradisum

What is the most popular Catholic funeral song?

"On Eagle's Wings" by Michael Joncas is the most requested Catholic funeral song in the United States, followed by "Be Not Afraid", "Here I Am, Lord", "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art". Many families also ask for "Ave Maria" after Communion and the chant "In Paradisum" as the casket is carried out.

Entrance hymns

The Mass begins as the casket is received at the church door, sprinkled with holy water and covered with the white pall, then carried to the front during the entrance hymn.

1. "Be Not Afraid", Bob Dufford: reassurance for the family.
2. "Here I Am, Lord", Dan Schutte: a hymn of calling and service.
3. "Amazing Grace": the hymn nearly everyone knows.
4. "How Great Thou Art": a hymn of praise many families request.
5. "I Know That My Redeemer Lives": a confident Easter hymn.
6. "Christ Be Our Light", Bernadette Farrell: light in the darkness.

Responsorial psalms

7. "Shepherd Me, O God", Marty Haugen: a beloved setting of Psalm 23.
8. "The Lord Is My Shepherd": Psalm 23 in many musical settings.
9. "The King of Love My Shepherd Is": the hymn paraphrase of Psalm 23.
10. "On Eagle's Wings", Michael Joncas: based on Psalm 91, also used as a hymn.

Songs for the preparation of the gifts

11. "You Are Mine", David Haas: a gentle song of God's presence.
12. "Prayer of St. Francis", Sebastian Temple: the peace prayer set to music.
13. "Lord of All Hopefulness": a hymn for every hour of life.
14. "Eye Has Not Seen", Marty Haugen: a hymn of hope.
15. "Be Thou My Vision": the ancient Irish hymn.

Communion songs

16. "I Am the Bread of Life", Suzanne Toolan: the Communion song of resurrection.
17. "Taste and See", James Moore: a setting of Psalm 34.
18. "We Will Rise Again", David Haas: hope in the resurrection.
19. "Panis Angelicus", César Franck: often sung by a soloist.
20. "Ave Maria", Schubert: the most requested solo, often after Communion.
21. "Pie Jesu", Andrew Lloyd Webber: from his Requiem, for a soprano soloist.

The Song of Farewell and the recessional

22. "Song of Farewell": sung at the final commendation, often to the tune Old Hundredth.
23. "In Paradisum": the ancient chant traditionally sung as the body leaves the church.
24. "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name": a stirring recessional hymn.
25. "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say": a hymn of rest and comfort.
26. "Abide with Me": the evening hymn.

Marian hymns

27. "Hail, Holy Queen": the joyful Marian hymn.
28. "Salve Regina": the Latin chant to Mary.
29. "Immaculate Mary": the Lourdes hymn.

Spanish Catholic funeral hymns

30. "Pescador de Hombres", Cesáreo Gabaráin: beloved in Spanish-speaking parishes, also sung in English.
31. "Amor Eterno", Juan Gabriel: not a hymn, but often played at the vigil or burial.
32. "Las Golondrinas": the traditional farewell song, often played by mariachi at the cemetery.

For more, see our Spanish funeral songs and Irish funeral songs.

The order of a Catholic funeral Mass

• Reception of the body and entrance: an entrance hymn as the casket is brought forward.
• Liturgy of the Word: readings, with a sung responsorial psalm and Gospel acclamation.
• Preparation of the gifts: a hymn or instrumental while the altar is prepared.
• Communion: one or two Communion songs, often followed by a solo like "Ave Maria".
• Final commendation: the Song of Farewell.
• Procession to the place of committal: "In Paradisum" or a recessional hymn.

Can you play secular songs at a Catholic funeral?

Most parishes do not allow secular songs during the funeral Mass itself, because the music is part of the liturgy. Favorites like "Danny Boy", "Wind Beneath My Wings" or "My Way" usually fit better at the vigil or wake, at the funeral home, at the graveside or at the reception afterward. Ask the parish music director early; many are happy to help you find the right place for a special song.

Choosing songs with the parish

Most parishes have a music director or cantor who meets with the family, often with a list of approved hymns. Bring two or three favorites, ask which are already known to the choir and the congregation and let them suggest the psalm and Communion settings.

Catholic funeral songs for a mother or father

For a mother, families often choose "Ave Maria", "Hail, Holy Queen" or "Be Not Afraid"; for a father, "On Eagle's Wings", "Here I Am, Lord" or "How Great Thou Art". For more, see our funeral songs for dad.

More Christian funeral music

For Protestant hymns, gospel and contemporary worship songs, see our Christian and gospel funeral songs, and for a wider list of popular songs, our funeral songs.

A song that tells their story

Hymns speak to faith; a personalized song can speak to the person: their name, their family, their parish, the rosary they prayed and the memories everyone shares. Families often play it at the vigil, the reception or on the anniversary of the death.

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The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Honor their life and faith in a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.