Funeral music also has legal and liturgical constraints. Copyright, performance licences, recording permissions, streaming, denomination, venue, musicians, and local custom all matter. This guide names hymns without reproducing copyrighted lyrics. Public-domain status varies by jurisdiction and by the specific translation, arrangement, harmonisation, and recording.
Biblical purposes of sung worship
Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.”
Colossians 3:16
Psalm 95:1–7
“Oh come, let’s sing to Yahweh. Let’s shout aloud to the rock of our salvation! Let’s come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let’s extol him with songs! For Yahweh is a great God, a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth. The heights of the mountains are also his. The sea is his, and he made it. His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let’s worship and bow down. Let’s kneel before Yahweh, our Maker, for he is our God. We are the people of his pasture, and the sheep in his care. Today, oh that you would hear his voice!”
Psalm 95:1–7
Revelation 5:9–13
“They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, and made us kings and priests to our God; and we will reign on the earth.” I looked, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. The number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!” I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!”
Revelation 5:9–13
Funeral singing can teach, lament, confess, and unite the community. It should not become entertainment detached from the service’s Christian purpose.
Different musical roles in a funeral
- Entrance hymn: gathers the congregation and establishes theological tone.
- Psalm or gradual: responds to Scripture or follows authorised liturgy.
- Congregational hymn: gives the gathered people a shared voice.
- Solo or choir item: allows more complex music without demanding congregational familiarity.
- Communion hymn: must fit the Eucharistic practice of the tradition.
- Committal hymn: accompanies farewell, burial, or procession.
- Recorded music: may be permitted in some venues and restricted in others.
- Reception music: can include a wider personal repertoire than the formal service.
Hymns of trust and divine presence
1. “The Lord’s My Shepherd”
A metrical Psalm 23 setting suitable for congregational trust and committal. Several tunes and paraphrases exist, so specify the version.
2. “Abide with Me”
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An evening hymn asking Christ to remain through change, darkness, and death. Familiar in many Anglican and Protestant settings. Check whether its length should be reduced.
3. “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
Isaac Watts’s paraphrase of Psalm 90, suitable for mortality, God’s eternity, and generational faith.
4. “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer”
A pilgrimage hymn asking divine guidance through wilderness and death toward safety. Familiarity varies by country and tradition.
5. “Be Thou My Vision”
A prayer that God remain central in life and hope. Textual translations and musical arrangements differ in copyright status.
Hymns of lament, prayer, and surrender
6. “When Peace, Like a River” / “It Is Well with My Soul”
A hymn of trust amid sorrow. Its history is often retold inaccurately, so avoid unsupported anecdotes. The refrain can comfort some people and burden others who cannot say it is well.
7. “Rock of Ages”
A hymn of refuge in Christ, sin, grace, death, and judgement. The language may require explanation in a broad or less familiar congregation.
8. “Just as I Am”
A hymn of coming to Christ without self-improvement. It may fit an invitation or reflective moment but should not become a coercive altar call at a funeral.
9. “Nearer, My God, to Thee”
A hymn of nearness to God through adversity. Check whether its associations and theology fit the family and service.
10. “Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart”
A Lutheran chorale with strong language about death, Christ, and final joy. It may be better suited to choir or congregations familiar with the tune.
Hymns centred on Christ and resurrection
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11. “Jesus Lives! Thy Terrors Now”
A resurrection hymn addressing death’s defeated terror through Christ. The text is less familiar in some congregations and may need choir leadership.
12. “Thine Be the Glory”
An Easter hymn celebrating the risen Christ and death’s defeat. It can provide a strong closing where the congregation knows it.
13. “The Day of Resurrection”
An ancient Paschal hymn associated with John of Damascus, widely used in Eastern and Western forms. Translation and tune vary.
14. “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”
A familiar Easter hymn that centres resurrection. Select verses appropriate to the funeral rather than assuming the full Easter form fits.
15. “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
Several hymns and musical works use this title, drawing from Job and resurrection language. Specify the exact text and arrangement.
Hymns of hope, home, and final communion
16. “For All the Saints”
A major hymn of the communion of saints, present struggle, and final gathering. It is long; select verses with clergy and musicians.
17. “Jerusalem the Golden”
A hymn of heavenly longing derived from medieval Latin tradition. Its imagery should be understood as poetic rather than a literal map.
18. “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
A hymn asking for sanctifying love and final perfection. It may fit a service focused on Christian formation and hope.
19. “Amazing Grace”
A widely known hymn of grace, lostness, and hope. Familiarity makes it accessible, but musicians should avoid assuming every congregation knows the same tune or verses.
Pray one day at a time.
A gentle Scripture and prayer guide for tired hearts seeking strength, peace and guidance.
20. “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!”
A Trinitarian hymn of worship, suited to a funeral that emphasises God’s holiness and the larger worship of the church rather than only personal memory.
How to choose four pieces
A balanced service might use:
- Entrance: trust or gathering—“O God, Our Help in Ages Past.”
- Response: prayer or surrender—“Abide with Me.”
- After sermon or Communion: Christ and resurrection—“The Day of Resurrection.”
- Closing: congregational hope—“For All the Saints” or “Thine Be the Glory.”
This is only an example. Authorised rites may prescribe positions or texts.
Selection questions
- Does the hymn’s theology fit the church and the deceased person’s stated faith?
- Can the congregation sing the melody and range?
- Is a solo or choir more appropriate?
- How many verses can the service accommodate?
- Does the text contain language needing explanation?
- Is the exact text, tune, arrangement, and recording licensed?
- Does the venue permit live or recorded music?
- Will the hymn support lament as well as hope?
- Is there an accessible printed or projected version?
- Has clergy approved the final programme?
How to Plan a Christian Funeral covers service structure. Funeral Psalms may help where sung Psalms are preferred.
Public-domain and licensing cautions
A hymn’s original text may be public domain while a modern translation, altered verse, descant, arrangement, typesetting, or recording remains copyrighted. Public-domain rules differ by jurisdiction. Churches should use their licensing provider, hymnal permissions, publisher information, or qualified advice.
Do not reproduce lyrics in online articles or programmes until rights are confirmed. Livestreaming often requires additional permissions.
A prayer before choosing music
God who receives the church’s song,
Guide us to music that tells the truth about death, Christ, grief, and resurrection. Keep us from choosing only by sentiment or familiarity. Give clergy and musicians wisdom about theology, singability, access, and rights.
Let the congregation have a voice without requiring every mourner to sing. Use silence, instrument, choir, and hymn in their proper place. May the music serve worship and care rather than performance. Amen.
Sources and further reading
For readers worldwide: Health care, crisis services, funeral law, and official procedures vary by location. Use qualified local professionals and government guidance where you live. The sources below include both United States and United Kingdom perspectives.
- Colossians 3 — the teaching and communal role of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
- Psalm 95 — gathered worship before the Creator and shepherd.
- Revelation 5 — worship centred on the Lamb and the widening chorus of creation.
- Hymn origins, public-domain status, arrangements, and licensing require jurisdiction-specific verification.
- CCLI: Church copyright licences
- US Copyright Office: Copyright basics
- National Institute on Aging: Grief and mourning — US guidance on grief, mourning, practical care, and finding support.
Questions people ask
How many hymns should a funeral include?
There is no universal number. Three or four congregational or musical items are common in many services, but authorised rites, venue time, and family preference vary. Ask clergy and musicians.
Can we use a secular song?
Possibly, depending on the church and placement. Some clergy permit it before or after the formal rite or at the reception rather than within worship. Check theology, lyrics, licensing, and venue rules.
Which hymn is easiest for a mixed congregation?
Familiarity depends on country and church background. “Amazing Grace,” “Abide with Me,” Psalm 23 settings, and “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” are widely known in some regions. Confirm with the actual congregation and musicians.
Can we change hymn lyrics to fit the person?
Do not alter copyrighted or doctrinal text without permission and clergy approval. Even public-domain alterations can create theological or pastoral problems. A spoken tribute is usually a better place for personal detail.
May we livestream hymns?
Only with the necessary permissions for text, music, performance, and streaming. A standard church licence may not cover every arrangement or platform. Verify before the service.
Funeral music should help the church pray together. Choose by theological purpose, congregational capacity, and service moment, then confirm the exact text and rights. A well-chosen familiar hymn can carry people whose own words have failed.
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