Christian funeral songs

Bart Millard of MercyMe wrote it years after his father died. A hopeful song about heaven that suits almost any Christian service.

A cheerful old gospel song full of hope for heaven. Many families play it at the end, as everyone walks out together.

Thomas A. Dorsey wrote it in 1932 after losing his wife and baby son. Mahalia Jackson sang it at Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral.

Bill and Gloria Gaither's song of Easter hope, first recorded in 1971. A calm, sure choice that church families have sung for decades.

A 2019 worship song of thanks from Bethel Music, also sung by CeCe Winans. Families pick it to honor a long life of faith.

Matt Redman's worship song of praise, sung in churches across Britain and America. A steady, familiar choice for a Christian service.

A modern hymn by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, often sung at church funerals in Britain and beyond. Firm and full of faith.

A 1905 gospel hymn about trusting God's care, made famous by Ethel Waters and Mahalia Jackson. A gentle choice for a mother or grandmother.

A 2021 Casting Crowns ballad for families in fresh grief. It brings comfort without pretending the loss doesn't hurt.

Chris Tomlin's 2006 version of the old hymn with a new chorus added. The familiar words get a lift for a modern church service.

A spiritual from the days of slavery, sung for generations as a song of hope. Calm and simple, it fits a quiet moment of the service.

A slow gospel song from 1925 about the memories of loved ones. A tender pick for a mom, a dad or a grandparent.

Tramaine Hawkins led it on Walter Hawkins' 1975 album Love Alive. A joyful homegoing song still sung at many Black church funerals.

Chris Tomlin's 2008 worship song built on the Easter promise of new life. A firm, hopeful choice for a Christian funeral.

Andraé Crouch's bright 1976 gospel song about the joy of heaven. A glad way to close a homegoing service.

A slow traditional gospel prayer, played as a dirge at New Orleans jazz funerals. Patsy Cline recorded it in 1959.

Thomas A. Dorsey wrote it in 1939 for Mahalia Jackson, and Elvis sang it on TV in 1957. A calm pick for a dad or grandfather who loved Elvis.

Laura Story wrote it during her husband's long illness. It asks honest questions about pain and faith that grieving families know well.

Bart Millard of MercyMe finished it for his brother-in-law's funeral. Slow and honest, for families who miss someone deeply.

The New Orleans jazz funeral favorite, played as the band leads everyone out. Lively and warm, for a celebration of life.

A MercyMe song about holding on to faith in the hardest seasons. Honest and steady, for a death that came too soon.

A 2005 Natalie Grant ballad that Christa Wells wrote about the loss of a baby. A comfort for parents grieving a child.

Jeremy Camp's 2008 song looking ahead to heaven. Uplifting but gentle, for the middle or the end of a service.

Squire Parsons' Southern gospel song about heaven, first recorded in 1979. A favorite at country church funerals.

Selah's Todd Smith and his wife Angie wrote it for their daughter Audrey, who lived only a few hours. For parents who have lost a baby.

Steve Green's 1988 song about passing faith on to the next generation. Fitting for a parent or grandparent who lived their faith.

Ray Boltz wrote it for Pastor Appreciation Day at his church, and it won a Dove Award. For someone who spent their life serving others.

Chris Rice's gentle 2003 hymn that walks through a whole life of faith. Plain and quiet, it suits a small church service.

Rev. Paul Jones' signature gospel song, a slow testimony of gratitude. Sung at many Black church homegoings for a life of quiet faith.

Hillary Scott wrote it after losing a pregnancy. A soft prayer of trust for a loss that makes no sense.

Matthew West wrote it for his grandmother near the end of her long life. A tender goodbye that holds on to the hope of meeting again in heaven.

Phil Wickham and Brian Johnson's 2018 Easter song of new life. It gives a Christian funeral a hopeful close.

Phil Wickham's 2021 hymn about heaven, starting softly and rising to a full chorus. It works well as the last song of a service.

Ira Stanphill wrote it in 1949, and Elvis recorded it in 1960. A Southern gospel favorite for a dad or grandfather who loved the old songs.

An old gospel hymn that the Staple Singers turned into their first hit in 1956. Bright and steady, it suits any church service.

Richard Smallwood wrote it while caring for his sick mother. A choir piece that begins softly and swells near the end.

Kirk Franklin wrote it for Tamela Mann in 2012. A slow, honest gospel prayer for the heaviest days of grief.

The Edwin Hawkins Singers' joyful gospel hit from the late 1960s. A happy, hand-clapping way to end a celebration of life.

A 2016 song by Tenth Avenue North for families who are hurting but still hoping. It fits a slow moment of reflection.

Michael W. Smith and his wife Debbie wrote it as a goodbye gift for a friend. He sang it at President George H. W. Bush's funeral.

J. W. Vaughan wrote this gospel song in the 1920s as a tribute to his own mother. A tender old favorite for a mother of deep faith.

Shirley Caesar's 1989 song in honor of her own mother, full of memories from her childhood. A tender choice for a mother's homegoing.