Top 20 hymns for funerals

Hymns are a great way to bring your congregation together at a funeral service. Singing hymns all together, especially when led by a confident accompanist and professional singer(s), can give you a real boost, or soothe some of the emotions you might be feeling on the day. Here are our 20 most popular hymns for funerals, as chosen by the families who have booked us. 

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1. Amazing Grace

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.

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2. Abide With Me

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.

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3. The Lord's My Shepherd (Crimond)

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 the Goodall version - this has a different tune and lyrics and needs confident or professional singers. The Goodall version is the theme tune to The Vicar of Dibley.

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4. Here I Am Lord

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.

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5. How Great Thou Art

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.

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6. All Things Bright And Beautiful

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.

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7. I Watch The Sunrise

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.

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8. Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time,
Walk upon England's mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God
On Englands pleasant pastures seen!

Jerusalem is an opportunity to create a thunderous moment of patriotism. Though it has religious undertones, this is first and foremost an anthem about England, with words by the English Romantic poet William Blake. If you hire a professional choir to help you sing it, opt to start the second verse without the organ - it creates a powerful a cappella musical moment.

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9. Make Me A Channel of Your Peace

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your love;
Where there is injury your pardon, Lord;
And where there's doubt true faith in you.

Another hymn with Catholic origins, Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace is based on the Prayer of St Francis - a simple prayer for peace. A gentle and lyrical hymn with a pure and hopeful message.

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10. Lord of All Hopefulness

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy:
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

This is a rousing tune that builds to a crescendo throughout each verse, making it an enjoyable sing. The tune is an old Irish folk melody called Slane (after the village where it originated), which we'll come across again later in this list...

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11. The Old Rugged Cross

So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross‍
‍Till my trophies at last I lay down‍
‍I will cling to the old rugged Cross
‍‍And exchange it some day for a crown

The Old Rugged Cross originated in the USA and has been covered by artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson. It reminds us to keep going during tough times. You can hear one of our male soloists performing this hymn on our Listen page.

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12. Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer

Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.

This hymn was written by a Welshman and is very popular in Wales. It's set to the tune Cwm Rhondda (after the Rhondda Valley), and can be sung in English or Welsh. You can hear one of our male-voice choirs performing the famously rousing chorus in English on our Listen page.

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13. Praise My Soul, The King of Heaven

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like me his praise should sing?
Praise him, praise him, praise the everlasting King.

Immensely popular at English church services, Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven is frequently sung at royal occasions like coronations and royal weddings. Sometimes people sing "Alleluia" instead of "Praise him" at the ends of the verses.

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14. I Vow To Thee My Country

I vow to thee, my country,
All earthly things above
Entire and whole and perfect,
The service of my love

If you recognise the tune of I Vow To Thee My Country, it's because it's set to the tune of Holst's 'Jupiter' from his Planets Suite. It's stately and patriotic, and most associated in the UK with Remembrance Sunday. It has often been chosen for high profile funerals, including those of Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, and Diana, Princess of Wales.

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15. Dear Lord and Father of Mankind

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.

This hymn can be sung to several different tunes, but the most common one for UK services is the Repton tune. Sometimes some verses are swapped or left out, but be sure to finish on the verse that begins "Breathe through the heats of our desire".

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16. Lord of the Dance

Dance, then, wherever you may be,‍
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,‍
‍And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,‍
‍And I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he.

Although popularised by Michael Flatley, Lord of the Dance is actually an English hymn - and more recent than you'd guess, written in 1963. You might recognise it from school, and this is another hymn that people will either know already or easily pick up when they hear it. An upbeat, positive and uplifting choice.

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17. On Eagles’ Wings

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
Who abide in His shadow for life
Say to the Lord,
"My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!"

On Eagles' Wings is another modern hymn popular across denominations including Catholic, Protestant and Pentecostal churches. It's a reminder that God is a refuge, and will protect you from the hardships that life can throw at us.

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18. Be Not Afraid

You shall cross the barren desert,
But you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety,
Though you do not know the way.

Like many hymns on this list, Be Not Afraid is popular for funerals because it tells us that God will strengthen and protect us through sad and difficult times. Take care not to confuse it with Do Not Be Afraid, which has a similar title and is also very popular!

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19. Morning Has Broken

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world.

Another popular school hymn, you'd be hard pressed to find a congregation who didn't know this tune. It was famously covered by Cat Stevens, and like All Things Bright And Beautiful it focuses on the beauty of nature (but perhaps a little more gently).

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20. Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

We promised the Slane tune would return, and here it is - this time to the words Be Thou My Vision rather than Lord of All Hopefulness. The Irish links in this hymn are strong, and it's popular for Catholic masses. There are some minor differences in the lyrics and rhythm between different hymn books, so if you're familiar with one version be sure to check that the right lyrics go in the order of service booklet.

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If you would like some help with singing your hymns, contact us to book a professional soloist, choir, or organist for your service.

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