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:

Entrance

This is the music played whilst the coffin is carried into the Chapel

Reflection

This is music played during the service giving family and friends time to think and reflect

Hymns

Communal songs can be a nice addition. For Hymn suggestions please see below

Committal

Music is sometimes played during the committal of the deceased. The celebrant will often speak the committal whilst the music is playing

Exit

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.

Popular hymns
  • 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
Catholic funeral hymns
  • Ave Maria
  • I Am The Bread of Life
  • How Great Thou Art
  • Amazing Grace
Church of England hymns
  • 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.

Songs for your Mum
  • Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
  • Angel by Sarah McLachlan
  • You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Songs for your Dad
  • Hero by Mariah Carey
  • Dance With My Father by Luther Vandross
  • Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton
Songs for your Partner
  • I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
  • Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
  • Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
Songs for a Child
  • 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
Songs about Angels
  • Angels by Robbie Williams
  • Jealous of the Angels by Bostic
  • Touched by an Angel by Stevie Nicks
Joyful funeral music
  • 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

Can we help you?

If you wish to talk to one of our funeral arrangers about our services please get in touch.
01702 436000 Contact us online Get A Bespoke Quote

Testimonials

We would like to thank you for your compassionate and caring handling of the funeral of Alan Jones.

Myself, Colin, Ian and all the family found the experience a lot easier to cope with, your calm and professional attitude was very much appreciated

Sheila, Colin and Ian Jones and Family - May 2019

Dear Brendon,

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the kindness you have shown over the past few weeks. From the very moment we met you we knew you were the perfect person to provide Dad with the care he truly deserved. Your empathy and support has meant a lot to us and we will never forget everything you have done for us. You are a credit to Penrose.

Margaret, Lauren and Jessica Hudson - July 2021

Dear all,

We would like to thank you for all the care and attention you gave towards our relative Eva Wright recently. You were all most respectful at all times and we greatly appreciated your help before, during and after the funeral. We are also very impressed with the quality of the recordings of the service and in these times it will be greatly valued by the family and friends.

Thank you once again

Sally and Andy on behalf of Steven Wright and family - October 2020

WOW…What an amazing team!

Thank you Brendon and Kevin for your sympathy, kindness and compassion when you took Cliff into Penrose’ care.

Thank you Nathan for arranging the funeral, it was perfect in every way.

Thank you Jeremy for completing the Order of Service and for leading the funeral in such a respectful, dignified and professional manner. We cannot express how much this meant to us as a family.

Thank you Edward and Paul for your support, respect and kindness on the day of the funeral. Edward, you offered your coat to our mum as she looked cold and Paul, you were so kind talking about the dogs outside our house before we left, the dogs were a big part of Cliff and are so important to the family, so this gave us comfort knowing that they had been recognised.

We have no hesitation in recommending your services to our family and friends.

All of you made a very sad day more bearable. We sincerely THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts,

Kindest wishes

Carole, Darren and Ruth Wingrove - January 2020

Just to say a heartfelt thank you!  From the moment we walked in through your door you made us feel at ease planning dad’s final journey. On the day everyone was just perfect; our day wasn’t easy but we have great memories thanks to Penrose.

Once again a heartfelt thank you,

with warmest wishes and a thousand thanks,

 

Patricia, Steven, Keian, Michelle and Family - April 2023
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to you and all your staff. The compassion and professionalism we were shown throughout helped to guide us through a very sad time and you made the whole process so very much easier for us.
With kind regards,
Linda Everett and family - December 2022

Dear Nathan,

A brief line to thank you, Jeremy and the team for your support and guidance since Audrey’s death. The funeral was managed perfectly for which we are most grateful.

Thank you

Yours

Ian Lawrence - April 2023

Dear Nathan,

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the caring way you helped me plan my beautiful mum’s funeral. As it is a time of terrible loss and sadness I cannot think of anyone else who could have made it more bearable. Thank you so much and God Bless you.

Eleanor R - August 2017
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