Christian Funeral Songs
Songs of comfort, hope and heaven for a funeral, memorial or celebration of life. Classic hymns sit next to modern worship and country favorites, and every song lists the scripture it draws from so you can pair it with a reading.
38 songs
How to choose
- Most services use two or three songs: one as people gather, one during the service (often the family's favorite), and one to close.
- A hymn like Amazing Grace or It Is Well works well for congregational singing because most people already know the words.
- For a celebration of life, upbeat songs like I'll Fly Away or Goodness of God strike a hopeful note.
- If the person had a favorite song that isn't on this list, use it. The best funeral song is the one that sounds like them.
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Amazing Grace
Familiar enough that the whole room can sing it, including people who rarely go to church. A safe first or last song.
Ephesians 2:8
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It Is Well with My Soul
Written by a man in fresh grief, which is why it rings true at a graveside. Good for a family that wants honesty and peace together.
Philippians 4:7
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Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Looks back over a whole life and calls it faithful. Fits a service for someone who lived a long, steady life of faith.
Lamentations 3:22-23
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How Great Thou Art
A favorite of older generations. If the person you're honoring grew up in church, there's a good chance this was their song.
Psalm 8:3-4
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In Christ Alone
Its last verse speaks directly about life, death and the return of Christ. Good for a church that sings modern hymns.
1 Corinthians 3:11
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I Can Only Imagine
One of the most requested modern funeral songs. Often played as a recording during the slideshow.
1 Corinthians 2:9
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10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
The last verse looks ahead to the end of life and the praise that goes on after it. A modern favorite for memorials.
Psalm 103:1-2
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Goodness of God
Looks back over a whole life with gratitude. A popular choice for the slideshow.
Psalm 23:6
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Rock of Ages
A hymn about shelter. Good when the family wants something reverent and old rather than upbeat.
Exodus 33:22
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Nearer, My God, to Thee
A quiet, old hymn of drawing near to God. Fits a traditional service, especially for an older loved one.
Genesis 28:11-12
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Abide with Me
A slow evening hymn that asks God to stay close as the light fades. Best sung softly or played on organ or piano.
Luke 24:29
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What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Gentle and well known. Works well as people are seated, or sung by a soloist before the eulogy.
John 15:15
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Shall We Gather at the River
Pictures the reunion in heaven at the river of life. A hopeful closing song for the graveside.
Revelation 22:1
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Blessed Assurance
Brighter than most funeral hymns. Use it when the service is meant to feel like thanksgiving for a life, not only mourning.
Hebrews 10:22
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Softly and Tenderly
Its call to come home fits the very end of the service, as the casket is carried out.
Matthew 11:28
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Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
An easy, rolling hymn the congregation can join quickly. Comforting without being heavy.
Deuteronomy 33:27
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His Eye Is on the Sparrow
Usually sung as a solo. A gospel singer can make it the emotional center of the service.
Matthew 10:29-31
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The Old Rugged Cross
A country church standard. Often requested by families from rural or Baptist and Methodist backgrounds.
Galatians 6:14
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In the Garden
A memorial service standard for generations. A tender choice for a grandmother or grandfather.
John 20:15-16
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I'll Fly Away
The classic upbeat choice for a celebration of life. Often used as the recessional so people leave clapping.
2 Corinthians 5:8
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Precious Lord, Take My Hand
A deep, slow gospel song for a soloist. It carries weight when the loss was sudden or hard.
Psalm 73:23-24
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Because He Lives
Speaks to the family about facing tomorrow. A good song after the eulogy, turning grief toward hope.
John 14:19
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Go Rest High on That Mountain
One of the most played country funeral songs. Fits a memorial for a brother, a veteran or a working man.
2 Timothy 4:7
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Total Praise
A choir piece. If the church has a choir, this gives the service a moment of real grandeur.
Psalm 121:1-2
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Blessed Be Your Name
For a family that wants to praise God honestly through loss. Works best in a church that already knows it.
Job 1:21
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I Still Believe
Written in the months after Jeremy Camp lost his wife. Fits the loss of a spouse, especially a young one.
Psalm 27:13
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Three Wooden Crosses
A country story song about the legacy a person leaves. Works as a recording during a slideshow.
John 15:13
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Homesick
For the people left behind. Fits a younger family or a loss that came too soon.
Revelation 21:4
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Held
For the hardest losses, including a child. It doesn't explain the pain, it promises God's presence in it.
Isaiah 43:2
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Believe
A story song about the faith an older man passed on to a younger one. Good for a grandfather.
John 11:25
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When I Get Where I'm Going
A gentle country song about heaven. Often played as a recording rather than sung.
Revelation 21:4
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Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Lets older and younger family members sing together: the old verses everyone knows plus a modern chorus.
Galatians 5:1
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Never Would Have Made It
A gospel testimony song. Fits a service for someone who came through a lot and kept their faith.
Psalm 124:1-2
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I Will Rise
Written in grief and full of resurrection hope. A modern alternative to the classic heaven hymns.
1 Corinthians 15:55
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Thy Will
A good fit for the loss of a baby or a child, or any loss that doesn't make sense.
Matthew 26:39
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Even If
For a loss after a long illness and long prayers. It holds on to hope without pretending it didn't hurt.
Daniel 3:17-18
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Living Hope
Builds from quiet to joyful, which mirrors moving from grief to resurrection hope. Strong as a closing song.
1 Peter 1:3
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Scars in Heaven
About the people you've lost and the healing waiting for them. It puts words to what many families hope for.
Revelation 21:4
Common questions
What is the most popular Christian funeral song?
Amazing Grace is the most requested, followed closely by It Is Well with My Soul, How Great Thou Art and, more recently, Goodness of God and I Can Only Imagine.
Can you play modern worship songs at a funeral?
Yes. Songs like 10,000 Reasons, Living Hope and Scars in Heaven are now common at Christian funerals and often mean more to younger family members than older hymns.
What is a good upbeat Christian funeral song?
I'll Fly Away is the classic upbeat choice. Goodness of God, Because He Lives and Living Hope are hopeful without feeling somber.