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ministry worship

Top Hymns for a Funeral

Here is a list of the top hymns for a service of death and resurrection. What other songs would you add to this list?

United Methodist Hymnal
 Name of Song or Hymn
110 A Mighty Fortress is our God
378 Amazing Grace
700 Abide with Me
154 All hail the power of Jesus’ name
166 All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine
534 Be still, my soul
451 Be thou my vision
420 Breathe on me, Breath of God
302 Christ the Lord is risen today
158 Come, Christians, join to sing
711 For all the saints
577 God of grace and God of glory
578 Great is Thy faithfulness
128 He leadeth me
529 How firm a foundation
139 How great Thou art
707 Hymn of Promise
60 I’ll praise my Maker
Contemporary I Can Only Imagine
Contemporary In Christ Alone
138 In the garden
Contemporary Indescribable
89 Joyful, joyful, we adore thee
708 Just a closer walk with Thee
384 Love divine, all loves excelling
368 My hope is built
117 O God, our help in ages past
Contemporary On Eagle’s Wings
474 Precious Lord, take my hand
144 This is my Father’s world
Contemporary You Raise Me Up

I will continue to update this list at http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tNj3hqp43ykcrRv2O9Cr5aw&output=html Feel free to use, share and enjoy!

By Andrew Conard

Christian, husband, son, brother, homeowner

10 replies on “Top Hymns for a Funeral”

What about “It Is Well with My Soul”?

Not a hymn per se, but I’ve always liked “There’s a Stirring” by Caedmon’s Call. We sang it in college, but I haven’t heard it done in a congregation for some time. Still a great song.

I’m surprised that “Old Rugged Cross” is missing! Is that just a southern tradition?

How about some hymns from the Faith We Sing?
Like, “In the Midst of New Dimensions” (2238) or
“We Are Called” (2172)

When I get Where I’m Going – Contemporary Christian and Country versions…Great Song

Good list Andrew. I can only think to add a couple of really oldies, Nearer My God to Thee (528) and Sing With All the Saints in Glory (702). You must have a “special” UM Hymnal Andrew – in mine “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” isn’t included (it is in The Faith We Sing #2158) and “How Great Thou Art” is #77 in the UMH (that’s a clear second most popular in my experience behind Amazing Grace).

There are several in The Faith We Sing that are good (when is COR going to add that to the repertoire?), but has anyone else noticed that even younger members of a family frequently request the old standards for their loved ones funerals? Sometimes songs from our memories of childhood in church are the most comforting.

What you use depends somewhat, of course, on what folks are used to. And Kristin makes a good point. Go with what the family asks for and you will likely get “In the Garden,” does not have much of a message. It is best to ask if the deceased had a favourite hymn, and try to use that if possible. Then add one or two more of your own choosing (depending on the length of the service). Here are a few more suggestions.

Come, Ye Disconsolate
Does Jesus Care?
Face to Face
God Will Take Care of You
My Faith Looks Up to Thee
My Jesus, I Love Thee
My Saviour First of All
O That Will Be Glory
Rock of Ages
Safe in the Arms of Jesus
Saved By Grace
Sweet By and By
Tell It to Jesus
The Sands of Time Are Sinking
The Lord’s My Shepherd
What a Friend We Have in Jesus

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