Top ten most beautiful funeral songs

One of the best ways to say goodbye to a loved one is with a stunning piece of beautiful funeral music. Here are some of the best funeral songs ever written, to bring a moment of beauty to your loved one's service.

You can hear our singers performing some of these pieces on our Listen page.

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1. Ave Maria

Schubert

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.

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2. Panis Angelicus

Franck

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.

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3. In Paradisum

Fauré

This is from a Requiem, a group of pieces written especially for funerals. In Paradisum is designed for the end of the service and commends the person who has died to Heaven - the title means "Into Paradise". A hauntingly beautiful and uplifting piece for at least 6 voices, it builds gently with moving swells of emotion. When it's sung really well, the high female voices create a stunning angelic sound.

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4. I Know That My Redeemer Liveth

Handel

From Handel's Messiah. A traditional piece for a solo female singer. It's about having faith in Jesus' return, and is designed to showcase the beauty of the soprano singing voice. It's a virtuoso piece with surety and confidence, perfect for making an impact. It's often heard at royal occasions, and gives a real feeling of ceremony, tradition, and (despite its German composer), Britishness.

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5. Ave Verum Corpus

Mozart

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.

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6. Ave Maria

Caccini

Like Schubert's version of Ave Maria (above), this piece is for a solo female singer. However its tune is completely different, and the lyrics are simply 'Ave Maria' repeated throughout, in beautiful rolling cadences. It has a more flowing, richer, and slightly mournful feel, and the tingling beauty of the high notes give it incredible poignancy. Another stunning piece for a virtuoso soprano that really does justice to the emotion of the day.

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7. Pie Jesu

Andrew Lloyd-Webber

You might be surprised to see Lloyd-Webber in this list, but as well as composing West End musicals he wrote a classical Requiem for his late father in 1985. Best known as a duet for two high voices (and famously recorded by both Sarah Brightman and Charlotte Church), this piece soars with beauty while still feeling calm, steady, and respectful. The lyrics are from parts of the Mass, and ask for eternal rest.

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8. Do Not Be Afraid

Stopford

A relatively modern piece written for a choir. Based on words from Isaiah, the simple and heartbreaking message is clear from the title. If you're looking for comfort and solace from your music, this is the piece for you. The harmonies are spellbinding, and the lyrics (which are in English) feel like a big warming hug. Written for at least 8 voices and sung a cappella, this piece requires a conductor.

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9. The Lord Is My Shepherd

Goodall

Not to be confused with the Crimond setting of this song, which you may know as a church hymn. This version was made popular as the theme tune for The Vicar of Dibley. The words are from a Psalm, which is sometimes spoken in the funeral service, but can also be sung (as in this piece). It has a simple, positive, and comforting message, moving between lovely high solo passages and full-bodied choir moments.

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10. Sanctus

Fauré

Another piece from Fauré's Requiem, the Sanctus has its roots in the Greek orthodox tradition and celebrates the glory of God. Beginning softly, with haunting angelic echoes between the male and female voices, the piece builds towards a triumphant and rousing section by the male voices toward the end. This piece requires organ accompaniment and can be ornamented by a solo violin.

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Contact us today to talk about booking a singer or choir for your service.

Or for more popular funeral music ideas, visit our Articles page.

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