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

To everyone at Penrose,

We would like to thank you for your professional and friendly manner which was so evident before and on the day of our husband and father Martin Hope’s funeral on June 7th. Hoping we don’t need your services for a while yet, but when we do we would certainly come back to you. Your kindness and sympathy is deeply appreciated and will always be remembered.

Lorraine, Michelle and Marianne - June 2021

To all at Penrose,

A thank you to say how much we appreciated your services. Your care and compassion toward our family will not be forgotten.

Debbie, Jackie and Shelley - March 2023

To Nathan, Jeremy and everyone at Penrose, we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the wonderful send off you gave Elaine, your respect and attention to detail was second to none. Thanks to each and every one of you.

Luv from All of Elaine’s friends and family xx

- March 2017

Dear Nathan, my sister and I would like to thank you for all your help and advice after my dear mum, Joyce, passed away. The day was beautifully conducted by your staff and we are so thankful for that. The service sheet was so lovely, please thank your father for that.

- January 2017

To all the staff at Penrose Funerals

Thank you for the compassion, care and support you gave to our family. We really appreciate everything you did for the funeral of David Ray.

Your kindness is appreciated so much

Kind Regards

Kevin and Lorna Russell - July 2022

To all at Penrose,

Just to say thank you for looking after our Dad. I don’t know how you do your jobs, but I just want to say you do it so professionally and with so much care.

Thank you for everything

Marie Noble and family - February 2023

To all the staff at Penrose Funeral Services,

Thank you all so much for being so helpful and kind at a very difficult time. Keep up the excellent, friendly service.

Kind regards

Sonia and family - May 2018

Nathan and Jeremy, Thank you so much for waiting for me tonight, I really appreciate it. I’m so pleased I got there to see mum, she looks lovely and looks like she’s just having a lovely sleep. I love that she is holding all the photos and roses close to her, that is a lovely touch, thank you. I will most definitely be recommending your services.

Maggie - July 2017
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