One of the more important categories to make sure you have included in your list of musical offerings is funeral music. Deaths are sometimes very sudden & you may often be called upon to sing for a funeral just 24-48 hours prior to the event. For the sake of the family as well as your own, it is extremely beneficial to have several solid “stand-by” selections ready to go. You can also have a more extensive list should the family prefer something more specific. Here are some suggestions you might consider adding to your collection of funeral soundtracks.
More traditional churches will often prefer hymns or classical songs. Several widely used hymns include How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace & It Is Well With My Soul. An example of a more classical piece is The Lord’s Prayer. There are quite basic soundtracks available for these songs as well as some that make the hymns sound a little more contemporary in case that better fits the style of the funeral service. One great example of this is Chris Tomlin’s Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone soundtrack. He merges the traditional hymn with a more contemporary chorus, giving the song a more current feeling
If the service has a more contemporary flare to it, you might consider some of the following selections: Homesick (Mercy Me), I Can Only Imagine (Mercy Me), If You Could See Me Now (Truth), This One’s With Me (Newsong) or Untitled Hymn (Chris Rice – this song is sometimes called Come To Jesus). For the unpleasant task of singing in a child’s funeral, I cannot think of a more appropriate song than With Hope (Steven Curtis Chapman). This song can apply to all ages but seems especially appropriate for the funeral of a child.
In the case of a service for a crowd that prefers southern gospel music, there are quite a few additional titles that work quite well. Some selections include: Another Soldier’s Coming Home (Janet Paschal), Come Spring (Jessica King), I Sure Miss You (The Crabb Family), Jesus’ Rocking Chair (The Greenes), Midnight Cry (Gold City), Roses Will Bloom Again (Jeff & Sheri Easter), Serenaded by Angels (Kirk Talley), Sweet Beulah Land (The Nelons) & Wish You Were Here (The Kingsmen).
This is not meant to be an exhaustive list but hopefully it will help introduce you to a few new soundtracks that will help you increase your collection of funeral soundtracks. If you have a favorite that is not mentioned above, please post & introduce us to your favorite songs. May God bless you as you strive to serve Him & His people through the gift of music.
See our complete list of Bereavement Accompaniment Tracks
Establishing a Musical Repertoire
Establishing a Musical Repertoire – Part 1, Funerals
Establishing a Musical Repertoire – Part 2, Baby Dedication
Establishing a Musical Repertoire – Part 3, Easter
Establishing a Musical Repertoire – Part 4, Traditional Easter
Establishing a Musical Repertoire – Part 5, Inspirational Easter
Establishing a Musical Repertoire – Part 6, Contemporary Easter
Establishing a Musical Repertoire – Part 7, Southern Gospel Easter
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On Eagle’s Wings is another traditional one, particulary for Catholic funerals but good for other denominations as well.
Peace in the Valley, He Touched Me, Sheltered Safe Within the Arms of God, Going Up Younder, Resurrection Ground, are some I’ve been asked to Sing at Funerals. “Ain’t No Grave” [gonna hold this body down] Give me Jesus, are a couple that I would like sung at My Funeral. I realize that there are so many appropriate songs the list continues until your brain gets numb. The honor for me is that I sometimes get asked. Jesus Loves Me this I Know, truer Lyrics were never written, And Beautiful in the sight of God is the Death of his saints. May Our Lord grant anointed singers for these times of service.
I’ve also been asked to sing Consider The Lilies, and Daddy’s Hands
Two songs that I have sang at funerals that went over well were “I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy” (by request), and As We Sail To Heavens Shore” by Steve Green.
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