Choosing the right hymns for a funeral is deeply personal. Hymns and music provide comfort, hope, and an opportunity for shared reflection. Below, we’ve grouped some of the most popular funeral hymns we see in our customers' funeral order of service programmes by the emotions or themes they evoke to help you select the perfect music for your loved one’s service.
1. Joyful and Uplifting Hymns
These hymns celebrate the joy of life and the hope of eternal peace, making them perfect for a funeral that feels more like a celebration of life.
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- All Things Bright and Beautiful
Why choose it? This classic hymn is full of joy and gratitude for the beauty of creation, making it a hopeful and uplifting choice.
Key lines: "All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small."
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- Morning Has Broken
Why choose it? Associated with renewal and new beginnings, this hymn celebrates the beauty of life and creation.
Key lines: "Morning has broken, like the first morning."
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- Lord of the Dance
Why choose it? Its lively melody and celebratory lyrics focus on faith, movement, and eternal life.
Key lines: "I danced in the morning when the world was begun."
2. Comforting Hymns of Faith
These hymns provide reassurance and peace, often drawing on themes of God’s guidance and everlasting love.
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- The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23)
Why choose it? A deeply comforting hymn, it reassures us that God is our guide and protector in life and death.
Key lines: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."
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- Be Still My Soul
Why choose it? This hymn is a call for trust and peace during difficult times, offering reassurance to grieving hearts.
Key lines: "Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side."
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- Abide With Me
Why choose it? A favourite for its quiet dignity and focus on God’s presence in times of trouble.
Key lines: "Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes."
3. Hymns of Hope and Eternity
These hymns focus on eternal life and the promise of heaven, making them ideal for religious funerals.
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- Amazing Grace
Why choose it? Known for its message of redemption and hope, this hymn is universally loved and often chosen for its ability to bring comfort.
Key lines: "I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see."
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- How Great Thou Art
Why choose it? A powerful hymn praising God’s greatness, it is uplifting and focuses on the eternal promises of heaven.
Key lines: "Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee: How great Thou art!"
- Jerusalem
Why choose it? A hymn of hope, faith, and determination, its grandeur makes it a powerful choice for funerals.
Key lines: "And did those feet in ancient time walk upon England’s mountains green?"
4. Reflective and Contemplative Hymns
These hymns encourage introspection and quiet reflection, offering peace during solemn moments.
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- Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
Why choose it? Its serene melody and plea for forgiveness make it a calming choice for a reflective service.
Key lines: "Breathe through the heats of our desire Thy coolness and Thy balm."
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- I Vow to Thee, My Country
Why choose it? With themes of loyalty, faith, and heavenly promises, this hymn resonates deeply in British culture.
Key lines: "And there’s another country I’ve heard of long ago."
- Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
Why choose it? This hymn is a quiet prayer for peace, perfect for a service that focuses on love and forgiveness.
Key lines: "Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love."
5. Hymns for a Celebration of Life
These hymns bring a lighter, more celebratory tone, perfect for funerals that focus on joy and gratitude for the life lived.
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- Sing Hosanna (Give Me Oil in My Lamp)
Why choose it? This hymn’s cheerful and lively tone makes it a good choice for uplifting services.
Key lines: "Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to the King of kings!"
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- One More Step Along the World I Go
Why choose it? Often associated with endings and new beginnings, it’s particularly popular for funerals of those who had a positive outlook on life.
Key lines: "And it's from the old I travel to the new."
- Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Why choose it? This hymn is full of optimism, focusing on God’s love and the promise of eternal joy.
Key lines: "Till we cast our crowns before Thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise."
Why Hymns Are So Important in a Funeral
Hymns have the power to unite those present in song, offering comfort and hope. Whether you choose a hymn that reflects your loved one’s faith, their joyful spirit, or their love of life, it will add meaning and resonance to the service.
Need More Help?
If you’re planning a funeral service and unsure where to start, our team at Funeral Stationery 4U is here to help. We’ve also created a guide to assist you further: How to Choose Hymns, Songs, Music, and Readings for a Funeral.
For assistance, call us on 01824 708 804 or email assist@fs4u.co.uk.
