50 Christian Funeral Songs: Traditional Hymns, Gospel and Modern Worship

What is the most played song at a Christian funeral?

"Amazing Grace" is the hymn sung at more Christian funerals than any other, followed closely by "How Great Thou Art", "It Is Well with My Soul" and "I'll Fly Away". Among contemporary songs, "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe and "Goodness of God" are now requested almost as often. The best choice is usually the hymn your loved one sang in church every Sunday; it lets the congregation sing them home.

Traditional hymns for a funeral

1. "Amazing Grace": the most beloved hymn of grace and redemption.
2. "How Great Thou Art": a powerful hymn of praise that lifts a grieving room.
3. "It Is Well with My Soul": written by Horatio Spafford after losing his children at sea, and a hymn of peace in loss.
4. "Abide with Me": a quiet evening hymn asking God to stay near.
5. "Great Is Thy Faithfulness": gratitude for a faithful God through every season.
6. "Blessed Assurance": Fanny Crosby's joyful hymn of confidence.
7. "The Old Rugged Cross": a favorite of older generations and country churches.
8. "In the Garden": gentle and personal, chosen often for mothers and grandmothers.
9. "What a Friend We Have in Jesus": comfort in prayer.
10. "Nearer, My God, to Thee": a hymn of longing for God's presence.
11. "Be Still, My Soul": set to Sibelius's Finlandia, calm and steady.
12. "Softly and Tenderly": a gentle call home.
13. "Shall We Gather at the River": a hymn of reunion in heaven.
14. "When We All Get to Heaven": a hopeful hymn for the end of the service.
15. "I Need Thee Every Hour": simple, prayerful and easy to sing.

Gospel funeral songs

16. "I'll Fly Away": the joyful gospel classic, often sung as the casket leaves.
17. "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", Thomas A. Dorsey: written in grief, sung at countless homegoing services.
18. "Peace in the Valley", Thomas A. Dorsey: famously recorded by Elvis Presley.
19. "His Eye Is on the Sparrow": a song of trust that every gospel choir knows.
20. "Goin' Up Yonder", Tramaine Hawkins: a triumphant homegoing song.
21. "Take Me to the King", Tamela Mann: a raw, powerful prayer.
22. "I Won't Complain", Rev. Paul Jones: gratitude even in sorrow.
23. "Never Would Have Made It", Marvin Sapp: thanks for a life carried through hard times.
24. "Total Praise", Richard Smallwood: a choral anthem of worship.
25. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot": the spiritual about being carried home.
26. "Mansion Over the Hilltop": a Southern gospel favorite about the home prepared in heaven.

Contemporary Christian funeral songs

27. "I Can Only Imagine", MercyMe: written after the death of the singer's father, and the most requested modern funeral song.
28. "Goodness of God", CeCe Winans or Bethel Music: gratitude for God's faithfulness all life long.
29. "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)", Matt Redman: praise until the very last day.
30. "Scars in Heaven", Casting Crowns: written for those who have lost someone, about the healing that waits.
31. "Homesick", MercyMe: honest about missing someone who is already home.
32. "Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)", Chris Rice: a whole life of faith in four verses.
33. "I Will Rise", Chris Tomlin: a song of resurrection hope.
34. "Well Done", The Afters: for a faithful life completed.
35. "Blessings", Laura Story: about grace hidden in hard seasons.
36. "Praise You in This Storm", Casting Crowns: worship in the middle of grief.
37. "Even If", MercyMe: trusting God when the answer was not the one you prayed for.
38. "Thy Will", Hillary Scott and the Scott Family: surrender in loss.
39. "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)", Hillsong UNITED: trust beyond what we can see.
40. "Way Maker", Sinach: a modern worship anthem of hope.
41. "The Blessing", Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes: a benediction over the family.
42. "Go Rest High on That Mountain", Vince Gill: a country song of faith and peace.

Catholic funeral Mass songs

43. "On Eagle's Wings": the most requested hymn at Catholic funerals in the United States.
44. "Be Not Afraid": reassurance for the family.
45. "Here I Am, Lord": a hymn of calling and service.
46. "Ave Maria", Schubert: often sung by a soloist after Communion.
47. "Panis Angelicus", César Franck.
48. "Song of Farewell": sung at the final commendation in many parishes.
49. "The Lord's Prayer", in Albert Hay Malotte's setting.
50. "Going Home": words set to the Largo of Dvořák's New World Symphony.

Catholic parishes usually choose music within the Mass with the family, so bring your list to the funeral planning meeting and ask where a secular favorite can fit, often before the Mass or at the reception.

Instrumental hymns for the prelude

While guests arrive and sign the book, soft instrumental versions of familiar hymns set a peaceful tone without asking anyone to sing: "Be Still, My Soul", "Abide with Me", "It Is Well with My Soul" and "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" all work beautifully on piano, organ or strings. Fifteen to twenty minutes of prelude music is usually enough; ask the church musician to end with the hymn that opens the service.

Songs for a homegoing celebration

In many Black churches, a funeral is a homegoing: a service that grieves, but also celebrates a believer going home. The music reflects that, with a full choir, hand-clapping and songs that build: "Goin' Up Yonder", "I'll Fly Away", "Take Me to the King", "Never Would Have Made It" and "Total Praise". The family often chooses one quiet song for the viewing and lets the choir carry the rest. If your loved one sang in a choir, ask their choir to sing their favorite.

What is a good goodbye song for a Christian funeral?

For the recessional, when the casket leaves the church, families usually choose something hopeful rather than sad: "I'll Fly Away", "When We All Get to Heaven", "Goin' Up Yonder" or "I Can Only Imagine". The idea is to send your loved one off with the promise of reunion, and to let the congregation leave with a little light.

How do you choose songs for a Christian funeral?

• Start with their faith life. The hymns they sang, the church they belonged to, the worship songs on their car radio.
• Balance grief and hope. One song to mourn, one to remember, one to rejoice.
• Choose at least one hymn everyone can sing. Print the words in the program.
• Talk to the pastor or priest early. They know what works in the sanctuary and with the musicians available.
• Consider the generations present. Traditional hymns for the older family members, a contemporary song for the grandchildren.

Where do the songs go in the service?

• Prelude: instrumental hymns while people arrive.
• Opening hymn: "How Great Thou Art" or "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", sung by everyone.
• After the Scripture readings: a solo such as "It Is Well with My Soul" or "Precious Lord".
• After the eulogy: the most personal song, often a contemporary one.
• Slideshow: one or two worship songs behind the photos.
• Recessional: "I'll Fly Away" or another song of hope.

Christian funeral songs for a mother, father or grandparent

For a mother or grandmother, families often choose "In the Garden", "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" or "Goodness of God". For a father or grandfather, "How Great Thou Art", "Go Rest High on That Mountain" or "I Can Only Imagine", the song Bart Millard wrote about his own dad. More lists by relationship: funeral songs for grandma, funeral songs for mom and songs for dad in heaven.

Live or recorded music?

Hymns sung by the congregation with an organ or piano are part of the comfort of a church funeral. Contemporary songs often work better as a recording or with a soloist and track. If you use recordings, give the files to the church or funeral home a few days early, test the volume and assign one person to cue each song.

A song that tells their story of faith

Hymns speak for every believer. A personalized tribute song can speak for one: their name, their church, the Bible verse they underlined, the hymn they hummed while gardening, the way they prayed for every grandchild by name. Many families play it after the eulogy or during the slideshow, and keep it for every anniversary. It is ready within minutes, in time for the service. See our list of songs for a memorial service for more ideas.

How to create a Christian tribute song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: gospel-inspired, country, acoustic, soft pop and more.
2. Add their name and up to two more, such as a spouse or the grandchildren.
3. Share three memories of their life and faith, each with one concrete detail.
4. Review the lyrics, edit or regenerate them for free, and take the time you need.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose the one that feels right.

The full song lasts 3 to 4 minutes and costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3 for the service, a page to share with the family and the lyrics as a PDF for the program.

When you are ready: create a tribute song and hear the previews for free.