Popular hymns for funerals

Hymns give mourners something to do together — to stand, breathe, and sing as a congregation. Even those who rarely attend church often know a handful of well-loved funeral hymns, and the familiar words can bring unexpected comfort. This guide covers the most requested choices and how to present them in your order of service.

The most popular funeral hymns in the UK

These are the hymns requested most frequently at funeral services across England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland:

1. Abide With Me — Henry Francis Lyte (1847) The most requested hymn at British funerals. Calm, tender, and familiar from football cup finals and Remembrance services. Works at any Christian denominational service.

2. The Lord's My Shepherd (Psalm 23) — William Whittingham, 1562 Sung to the tune Crimond (most common) or Brother James's Air. Deeply comforting. Virtually universal across Scottish and English church services.

3. Lord of All Hopefulness — Jan Struther (1931) Gentle and unhurried. Popular at Church of England and Methodist services. The tune (Slane) carries a walking, processional quality that suits a funeral very well.

4. How Great Thou Art — Carl Boberg, translated 1949 A great congregational hymn — big, soaring, and uplifting. Often chosen when the family wants to celebrate a long and well-lived life rather than simply mourn.

5. Morning Has Broken — Eleanor Farjeon (1931) Peaceful and grateful. Widely known because of the Cat Stevens recording. Works at religious and semi-religious services. The words focus on creation and new beginnings.

6. The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended — John Ellerton (1870) A quieter, evening hymn — suited to the close of a life. Reflective rather than celebratory. Often chosen for older congregations who know it well.

7. Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah — William Williams (1745) Known as Bread of Heaven in Wales, where it is almost synonymous with funeral services. Powerful sung in parts. Popular across all Christian traditions.

8. Amazing Grace — John Newton (1779) Instantly recognisable. Works at Baptist, evangelical, and non-denominational services. The words speak directly about being found, forgiven, and led home — deeply appropriate at a funeral.

9. Make Me a Channel of Your Peace — Sebastian Temple (1967) Based on the Prayer of St Francis. Popular at Catholic funerals in particular, and increasingly at other denominational services. Quiet and contemplative.

10. Jerusalem — William Blake / Hubert Parry (1916) Bold and patriotic. More common at funerals for those with strong connections to England or the military. Instantly known to most British congregations.

Include hymn words in your order of service

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Modern Christian worship songs

Many families now choose contemporary worship songs alongside or instead of traditional hymns, particularly at Baptist, evangelical, and charismatic church funerals. Commonly requested:

In Christ Alone — Keith Getty & Stuart Townend (2001) — theologically rich, confident in resurrection
Blessed Be Your Name — Matt Redman (2002) — honest about grief and still worshipful
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) — Matt Redman (2011) — joyful and celebratory
Great Is Thy Faithfulness — Thomas Chisholm (1923) — traditional feel, often used at evangelical services
How Deep the Father's Love for Us — Stuart Townend (1995) — meditative, appropriate for any Christian service

Songs often chosen at non-religious funerals

At humanist and non-religious services, the music is usually played rather than sung by the congregation — but families sometimes invite guests to join in with well-known songs. Frequently chosen:

My Way — Frank Sinatra
Wind Beneath My Wings — Bette Midler
Time to Say Goodbye — Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman
Over the Rainbow — Israel Kamakawiwoʻole recording
Angels — Robbie Williams
Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World (medley)
You Raise Me Up — Josh Groban

For the order of service, you only need to list the song title and artist — the congregation won't be expected to follow printed words.

Catholic funeral hymns

Catholic Requiem Masses have a specific structure, and certain hymns are particularly appropriate:

Ave Maria — Schubert setting most commonly used
Be Not Afraid — Bob Dufford SJ
I Am the Bread of Life — Suzanne Toolan RSM
Panis Angelicus — César Franck — often sung at the Offertory
Ag Críost an Síol — traditional Irish; common at Irish Catholic funerals
On Eagle's Wings — Michael Joncas — very widely used

How to present hymns in the order of service

If guests are expected to sing, always print the full words of each verse you want them to join in with. This is important — even familiar hymns have verses people don't know, and not everyone will have a hymn book.

If an organist, pianist or recorded accompaniment is being used for a hymn guests won't be singing, simply list: "Hymn: [Title], [Composer]".

In the order of service, a typical hymn entry looks like this:

Hymn: Abide With Me Words: Henry F. Lyte, 1847 · Tune: Eventide

Followed by the full text of each verse, formatted clearly — ideally in a slightly different font or indented, to distinguish it from the running text of the programme.

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