Top ten most popular funeral songs

Lots of people struggle to choose the music for a loved one's funeral, especially at such an emotional time. We've put together this list of the top ten songs that our clients request most often, to help you gather some ideas.

Many people book a professional choir or soloist to help the congregation sing the hymns, or to perform a special piece as a tribute. You can hear our singers singing some of these pieces on our Listen page.

1. Ave Maria

Schubert

Ave Maria, Gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena

A short, quiet, and gentle piece, usually for a solo female singer. It's particularly popular for Catholic funeral Masses, but so well-loved that you'll often hear it even at secular services. The lyrics are in either Latin or German, and honour the Virgin Mary - you might recognise the prayer "Hail Mary, full of grace". It's usually accompanied on the organ, but you could have it unaccompanied for a more focused effect. It's often performed for the Offertory, or the entry procession.

Hear this piece

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2. Amazing Grace

Hymn (trad.)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see.

Universally loved by churchgoers in the UK, Ireland, and the USA, Amazing Grace is a staple hymn for funerals of all denominations. Tip: the full version has a lot of verses so some people choose to cut a few from the middle! It can be a nice option to have the professional singer sing the first verse solo before everyone else joins in.

Hear this hymn

3. The Lord’s My Shepherd

Hymn (Crimond setting)

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie; In pastures green
he leadeth me; the quiet waters by.

The Lord's My Shepherd's lyrics come from Psalm 23, so it's often sung where the Psalm would be spoken during a service. The Crimond setting is easy for everyone to sing, but don't confuse it with others like the Goodall version - this has a different tune and lyrics, and needs confident or ideally professional singers. The Goodall version is the theme tune to The Vicar of Dibley.

Hear this hymn

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4. Abide With Me

Hymn (Lyte)

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Often voted the nation's favourite hymn, Abide With Me is one where you can be confident most people will more or less know the tune. It's a loving and gentle hymn; a plea to God to watch over you during death or hard times.

Hear this hymn

5. Here I Am, Lord

Hymn

I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in deepest sin
My hand will save.

Here I Am Lord was written in 1981 but it's just as popular as some of the oldest hymns in the book, particularly for Catholic services. It's a dialogue with God, and a celebration of unwavering faith in the face of uncertainty.

 Hear this hymn

6. Ave Verum Corpus

Mozart

Ave, Ave verum corpus,
Natum de Maria virgine

A short but moving piece for a choir. Written six months before Mozart's death, this beautiful piece is both sad and uplifting, and is truly one of the best, most enduring pieces of music ever written. Meaning "Hail, the true body", this is another piece written for Communion, and it's probably our favourite funeral song.

Hear this piece

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7. I Watch The Sunrise

Hymn (Glynn)

‍But you are always close to me
Following all my ways
May I be always close to you
Following all your ways, Lord

Another gentle modern hymn that's very popular in the Catholic community. The song makes its way through the day and through the seasons, knowing that God follows us close by from morning til night.

 Hear this hymn

8. Panis Angelicus

Franck

Panis Angelicus, fit panis hominum
Dat panis coelicus, figuris terminum

Can be a solo or choir piece, but we like it best as a male/female duet. The two overlapping voices are peaceful, harmonious and comforting, with moments of spine-tingling emotion. Sung in Latin, the lyrics mean 'Angelic Bread', and it's designed for Communion.

Hear this piece

9. How Great Thou Art

Hymn (Boberg/Hine)

O Lord my God, when I in awe­some won­der‍
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,‍
‍I see the stars, I hear the roll­ing thun­der,‍
Thy pow­er through­out the uni­verse dis­played

How Great Thou Art is so popular you could almost call it a pop song. Covered by artists including Elvis Presley and Carrie Underwood, people love to sing their hearts out to its soaring gospel-style chorus. A popular choice for the final hymn, to finish on an uplifting note.

 Hear this hymn

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10. All Things Bright and Beautiful

Hymn (Alexander)

‍All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

If you're looking to create an uplifting atmosphere to celebrate your loved one's life, this hymn has to be on the shortlist. This classic school hymn has strong links with Ireland, and focuses on the holy beauty in nature.

 Hear this hymn

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For more guidance, visit our Articles page.

To book a professional choir or soloist to help lead the music at your service, get in touch.

 © The London Funeral Singers May 2026

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