Music is a traditional part of most funeral services. This can be classical music, it can be a live performance by an individual or group if you so wish, or it may be contemporary or even somewhat eccentric depending on the character of the deceased. Music is traditionally played at one or more of five points during the service and we offer a list of popular hymns and music for funerals below.
Music is traditionally played at one or more of five points during the service:
This is the music played whilst the coffin is carried into the Chapel
This is music played during the service giving family and friends time to think and reflect
Communal songs can be a nice addition. For Hymn suggestions please see below
Music is sometimes played during the committal of the deceased. The celebrant will often speak the committal whilst the music is playing
Music that is played at the end of the service and whilst the guests leave.
All local crematoria have facilities for downloading a vast range of music for your service. Many use a site called Wesley Music, however Southend Crematorium uses Obitus Music. They have a huge range of music from classical to electro pop on their servers and they are usually able to provide music not listed on their database if requested. The exception to this is live music and this can be arranged and organised for you by any good Funeral Director.
Whatever your music needs your funeral director will be able to check availability and advise you on whether certain music is available at your crematorium.
Popular Hymns for funerals
Below we have compiled a list of the most popular hymns for a variety of funeral types.
- The Lord is My Shepherd
- Abide With Me
- Amazing Grace
- Morning Has Broken
- Jerusalem
- All Things Bright and Beautiful
- How Great Thou Art
- The Old Rugged Cross
- I Watch the Sunrise
- Ave Maria
- Ave Maria
- I Am The Bread of Life
- How Great Thou Art
- Amazing Grace
- Dear Lord and Father
- Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
- Lord of All Hopefulness
- Jerusalem
Popular Songs for funerals
There is often time in the service to think back over your loved one’s life, to grieve and to let go. When thinking about music during the service consider what they enjoyed and what they meant to you, and then try to choose music based on those reflections. Below are a few suggestions for music tracks that are suitable for a variety of funerals.
- Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
- Angel by Sarah McLachlan
- You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
- Hero by Mariah Carey
- Dance With My Father by Luther Vandross
- Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton
- I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
- Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
- Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
- There You’ll Be by Faith hill
- Arms of the Angels by Sarah McLachlan
- This Little Light of Mine
- Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton
- Angels by Robbie Williams
- Jealous of the Angels by Bostic
- Touched by an Angel by Stevie Nicks
- Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python
- What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
- Don’t You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
