Funeral hymns carry much of a service. People who cannot find words of their own can still sing. If your family has been asked to choose the hymns for a funeral, this guide lists forty that are sung in many churches and countries, says what each one is about, and shows where it fits in the service.
How many hymns, and who decides
Most funeral services have three or four hymns: one at the start, one or two in the middle, and one at the end. A burial has one more at the graveside.
Ask the minister or the choir leader before you choose. Some churches use only their own hymn book, and the choir needs time to practise. The minister has the final say.
Where each hymn goes in the service
- Opening or processional hymn. Steady and well known, so that everyone can join in. O God, Our Help in Ages Past, The Lord's My Shepherd, Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.
- After the readings or the tributes. A hymn of comfort. Abide with Me, It Is Well with My Soul, What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
- Before or after the sermon. A hymn of faith and hope. Blessed Assurance, Rock of Ages, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
- Closing or recessional hymn. A farewell that lifts people as the coffin leaves. God Be with You Till We Meet Again, When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder, Thine Be the Glory.
- At the graveside. Short and gentle. Safe in the Arms of Jesus, Sleep On, Beloved, Shall We Gather at the River.
Traditional funeral hymns
These are the hymns that most congregations know by heart. Where the title is a link, we have the full words ready to print.
1. Abide with Me
"Abide with me; fast falls the eventide." A prayer for God to stay close as the day, and a life, comes to its end. Henry Francis Lyte wrote it in 1847, in the last weeks of his own life. It is sung to the tune Eventide. Words to Abide with Me
2. Amazing Grace
"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound." Grace that has brought us safe so far, and will lead us home. John Newton, a former slave ship captain, wrote it in 1779. It is named first on almost every list of funeral hymns. Words to Amazing Grace
3. The Lord's My Shepherd
Psalm 23 set in verse, from the Scottish Psalter of 1650, and usually sung to the tune Crimond. It is known in almost every church, which makes it a safe choice when guests come from many places. Words to The Lord's My Shepherd
4. Rock of Ages
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee." Shelter in Christ in life and at the hour of death. Augustus Toplady, 1776. Words to Rock of Ages
5. O God, Our Help in Ages Past
Isaac Watts's version of Psalm 90, from 1719, sung to St Anne. God is the same shelter for every generation. A strong opening hymn, and often chosen for an elder or a public figure. Words to O God, Our Help in Ages Past
6. Nearer, My God, to Thee
Drawing closer to God through hardship, written by Sarah Flower Adams in 1841. Quiet and thoughtful, it also suits the graveside. Words to Nearer, My God, to Thee
7. Lead, Kindly Light
"Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom." Trusting God one step at a time through the dark. John Henry Newman, 1833. Often chosen after a hard or sudden loss. Words to Lead, Kindly Light
8. Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
A pilgrim's prayer to be led through the wilderness and landed "safe on Canaan's side". William Williams wrote it in Welsh in 1745. Some hymn books print it as Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer. The tune is Cwm Rhondda. Words to Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
9. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Bringing every grief to God in prayer. Joseph Scriven wrote it in 1855 to comfort his mother. Simple enough for everyone to sing. Words to What a Friend We Have in Jesus
10. Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Charles Wesley's prayer for refuge "till the storm of life is past", from 1740. Words to Jesus, Lover of My Soul
11. Just As I Am
Coming to God without one plea. Charlotte Elliott, 1835. Often chosen for someone who came to faith late in life.
12. The Old Rugged Cross
George Bennard's hymn of 1913 about clinging to the cross and one day exchanging it for a crown. Much loved by older generations.
13. Be Still, My Soul
"Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side." Patience in grief and the hope of meeting again, sung to the tune Finlandia. The English words are by Jane Borthwick, 1855.
14. The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended
An evening hymn by John Ellerton, 1870, sung to St Clement. The close of a day stands for the close of a life.
15. Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
A prayer for stillness and peace, from a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, 1872, sung to Repton. Common at Anglican and Methodist funerals.
16. Peace, Perfect Peace
Short, calm verses by Edward Bickersteth, 1875, each asking a question and answering it. Often sung at the graveside.
Uplifting funeral hymns
A funeral does not need to be sombre from start to finish, least of all a thanksgiving for a long life. These hymns are sung with confidence and even joy.
17. It Is Well with My Soul
"When peace like a river attendeth my way." Horatio Spafford wrote it in 1873, after his four daughters were lost at sea. It speaks of peace in the deepest sorrow. Words to It Is Well with My Soul
18. Blessed Assurance
"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine." Fanny Crosby's confident hymn of 1873, for someone whose faith was sure. Words to Blessed Assurance
19. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
God's mercies, new every morning. Thomas Chisholm, 1923. Often chosen for a long life. Its copyright has ended in some countries and not in others, so ask before printing the words.
20. How Great Thou Art
A hymn of wonder that ends with the hope of being taken home. The English words by Stuart Hine date from 1949 and are still in copyright. Print the title only, unless your church has a licence.
21. When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder
A bright hymn about meeting again "when the saved of earth shall gather". James Black, 1893. Words to When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder
22. To God Be the Glory
Fanny Crosby's hymn of praise, 1875. A good opening or closing hymn for a celebration of life.
23. Thine Be the Glory
A resurrection hymn sung to a tune by Handel. Strong as a final hymn, as the coffin is carried out.
24. Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
Psalm 103 in verse, by Henry Francis Lyte, 1834. Praise for a life that was blessed.
25. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Charles Wesley, 1747. It ends "lost in wonder, love, and praise", looking ahead to heaven.
26. Now Thank We All Our God
A hymn of thanks, translated from German by Catherine Winkworth in 1856. Fitting for a thanksgiving service.
27. Be Thou My Vision
An old Irish prayer, put into English verse by Eleanor Hull in 1912, and sung to the tune Slane.
28. For All the Saints
"For all the saints who from their labours rest." William Walsham How, 1864. Often sung for a faithful church worker.
Hymns for the graveside and the farewell
29. God Be with You Till We Meet Again
A farewell and a blessing together, by Jeremiah Rankin, 1880. Sung as the coffin leaves the church or at the grave. Words to God Be with You Till We Meet Again
30. Safe in the Arms of Jesus
Gentle and short. Fanny Crosby, 1868. Often sung for a mother or a child. Words to Safe in the Arms of Jesus
31. Shall We Gather at the River
Meeting again at "the beautiful, the beautiful river" that flows by the throne of God. Robert Lowry, 1864. Words to Shall We Gather at the River
32. Sleep On, Beloved
"Sleep on, beloved, sleep, and take thy rest." Sarah Doudney's hymn of 1871 ends each verse with "Good night". It is sung at the graveside in many churches in West Africa.
33. In the Sweet By and By
"We shall meet on that beautiful shore." Sanford Bennett, 1868. Simple, hopeful and easy to sing without a book.
34. Asleep in Jesus
"Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep, from which none ever wakes to weep." Margaret Mackay, 1832.
35. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
A spiritual about being carried home. It can be sung by a choir or by everyone.
Newer hymns and songs
These are sung at many funerals, above all Catholic ones. All are still in copyright, so print the title and not the words, unless your church holds a licence.
36. On Eagle's Wings
Based on Psalm 91. Michael Joncas, 1979.
37. Here I Am, Lord
A hymn of answering God's call. Dan Schutte, 1981.
38. Be Not Afraid
"Be not afraid, I go before you always." Bob Dufford, 1975.
39. Because He Lives
"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow." Bill and Gloria Gaither, 1971. Common at Baptist and Pentecostal funerals.
40. Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Thomas Dorsey wrote it in 1932 after the death of his wife and child. A gospel hymn of great comfort.
Funeral hymns by church
Each church has its favourites. These are common choices. Your own minister may suggest others.
- Anglican. O God, Our Help in Ages Past, Abide with Me, The Day Thou Gavest, Dear Lord and Father of Mankind. See the Anglican order of service.
- Catholic. On Eagle's Wings, Be Not Afraid, Here I Am, Lord, Nearer, My God, to Thee, Lead, Kindly Light. See the Catholic funeral Mass.
- Methodist. Jesus, Lover of My Soul, Love Divine, Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, Blessed Assurance. See the Methodist order of service.
- Baptist. Amazing Grace, It Is Well with My Soul, The Old Rugged Cross, When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder. See the Baptist order of service.
- Pentecostal. Because He Lives, Blessed Assurance, To God Be the Glory, It Is Well with My Soul. See the Pentecostal celebration of life.
Funeral hymns for a mother, a father or an elder
There is no rule, but these choices are common.
- Funeral hymns for a mother: Safe in the Arms of Jesus, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Blessed Assurance.
- Funeral hymns for a father: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, O God, Our Help in Ages Past, It Is Well with My Soul.
- For an elder after a long life: Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Amazing Grace, For All the Saints.
- After a hard or sudden loss: Abide with Me, Lead, Kindly Light, Be Still, My Soul.
- For a child: Safe in the Arms of Jesus, Jesus Loves Me, All Things Bright and Beautiful.
The best choice is always the hymn the person loved. Ask the family which one they sang in the kitchen or at morning prayers.
Which funeral hymns you may print
Old hymns are free to print. Newer ones are not.
- Every hymn on this page written before 1900 is out of copyright everywhere. You may print the words in full. Our funeral hymns with words pages give the full text of sixteen of them.
- Hymns and songs from the last hundred years are usually still owned. Print the title only, or ask your church whether its licence covers printing the words.
If you are unsure, print the title and the hymn book number, and let people sing from the book.
How to list hymns in the programme
Give each hymn its place in the service, the title, and the words if you have room. For example, "Opening hymn: Abide with Me". Print all the verses you plan to sing, and only those. If you will sing verses 1, 2 and 5, say so.
Tell the organist or choir leader the tune as well as the title. Some hymns are sung to more than one tune.
Questions people ask
What is the most popular funeral hymn?
Amazing Grace and Abide with Me are named first on almost every list. The Lord's My Shepherd, How Great Thou Art and It Is Well with My Soul follow closely.
How many hymns are sung at a funeral?
Three or four in the service, and one at the graveside if there is a burial. A short service at a crematorium may have only two.
What is a good uplifting funeral hymn?
Blessed Assurance, When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder, To God Be the Glory and Thine Be the Glory are all sung with confidence. Great Is Thy Faithfulness suits a thanksgiving for a long life.
Who chooses the hymns for a funeral?
The family usually suggests them, and the minister agrees the final list. Many people name their favourite hymns before they die, and families try to honour that.
Which hymn is sung at the graveside?
A short, gentle one. Abide with Me (first and last verses), Safe in the Arms of Jesus, Sleep On, Beloved and God Be with You Till We Meet Again are common.
Can we print the words of a hymn in the funeral programme?
Yes, if the hymn is out of copyright, which covers most hymns written before 1900. For newer hymns, print the title only or ask your church about its licence.
Beside the hymns
For the readings, see Bible readings for a burial service. For a funeral Mass, see Catholic funeral hymns. For an evening of hymns before the burial, see the service of songs programme. For the whole order, see the orders of service for each church.
Build the order of service with Homegoing
Homegoing starts you with an order of service for your church, with hymns already in place. You can change each one and print the words in full. Your minister approves the order before printing. Start a programme