Spiritual and Inspirational Songs for a Funeral Service
Funeral songs and music are intended to honor the deceased and bring comfort to those who are grieving. For many, spiritual and inspirational songs for a funeral service offer exactly that combination. That is particularly true for those who led their lives in a highly spiritual or religious way.
Historically, spiritual songs for funerals were confined to hymns that would be sung primarily during religious services. These days, the variety of available music is much broader and includes subgenres such as contemporary Christian music. In fact, there are many beautiful music selections that have their basis in religious values but are not necessarily “church” songs. These range from traditional gospel or hymns by artists such as Elvis Presley to contemporary songs by artists such as Mercy Me.
For many people choosing a mix of traditional hymns to provide the comfort of familiarity, along with newer music that is uplifting and inspirational is the perfect solution. It is quite acceptable to combine spiritual music with more secular choices. So, the only right way to develop the soundtrack for the funeral you are planning is the way that works best for you or for the deceased.
>> Creating a Celebration of Life
Because there are so many beautiful selections to choose from, we have compiled a list of some of the most widely used inspirational songs for a funeral. For some of the most classic, such as Amazing Grace, there are dozens of versions available. If you are working with a funeral celebrant or funeral home, they can help you find a version that appeals to you.
14 Popular Spiritual Songs for Funerals
More Popular Spiritual Songs for Funerals
| A Beautiful Life The Daltons |
Hello After Goodbye Jim Brady |
Now Thank We All Our God Many Versions Available |
| Abide With Me Many Versions Available |
He’s Walking Her Home Mark Schultz |
Peace Perfect Peace Many Versions Available |
| All my Tears Julie Miller |
Homesick Mercy Me |
Precious Memories Elvis Presley |
| All Things Bright and Beautiful Many Versions Available |
I Am The Bread of Life Many Versions Available |
Smiling Down Pillar |
| Alleluia Sing to Jesus Many Versions Available |
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say Many Versions Available |
Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling Cynthia Clawson |
| Be Not Afraid Many Versions Available |
I Need You Now Smokey Norful |
Soon and Very Soon Many Versions Available |
| Be Still My Soul Many Versions Available |
I Trust You James Fortune & FIYA |
Stand Donnie McClurkin |
| Be Thou My Vision Many Versions Available |
I’ll Meet You in the Morning Christian Bluegrass |
Sweetest Name I Know Kirk Franklin |
| Before the Ending of the Day Many Versions Available |
If I Don’t Wake Up The Williams Brothers |
Swing Low Sweet Chariot Gospel Hummingbirds |
| Beyond the Sunset Many Versions Available |
Immortal Invisible God Only Wise Many Versions Available |
The Battle Is Not Yours Yolanda Adams |
| Blow the Wind/Pie Jesu Jocelyn Pook |
In the Garden Elvis Presley |
The Day Thou Gavest Lord Has Ended Many Versions Available |
| Bringing in the Sheaves Jim Hendricks |
Jerusalem Many Versions Available |
The King of Love My Shepherd Is Many Versions Available |
| Closer to You Mark Schultz |
Jesus Lover of my Soul Many Versions Available |
The Line Between The Two by Mark Harris |
| Comforter CeCe Winans |
Jesus Promised me a place over there Jennifer Hudson |
The Old Rugged Cross Many Versions Available |
| Cry Out To Jesus Third Day |
Just As I Am Many Versions Available |
There is a Redeemer Many Versions Available |
| Dancing With the Angels Monk and Neagle |
Lead Kindly Light Many Versions Available |
Thine Be The Glory Many Versions Available |
| Eternal Father Strong To Save Many Versions Available |
Life is Like a Mountain Railroad The Oak Ridge Boys |
To God Be the Glory Many Versions Available |
| For All the Saints Many Versions Available |
LifeSong Hazel Miller and Charles Suggs |
Victory in Jesus Eugene Monroe Bartlett, Sr. |
| Friends Michael W. Smith |
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Many Versions Available |
What a Day That Will Be Jim Hill |
| Going Home Bill & Gloria Gaither |
More Than I Can Bear Many Versions Available |
What a Friend We Have in Jesus Many Versions Available |
| Goodbye for Now Kathy Troccoli |
My New Life Has Begun Ralph Funaro |
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross Many Versions Available |
| He Walks With Me Many Versions Available |
Nearer My God to Thee Many Versions Available |
Where Could I go But to the Lord Ethna Campbell |
| Healing Deniece Williams |
Never Would’ve Made It Marvin Sapp |
Whispering Hope Hayley Westernra |
| Heaven Song Phil Wickham |
No Weapon Fred Hammond |
Who Am I Casting Crowns |
As with any other music you select, you must follow copyright law when playing Spiritual songs for funerals and the rules for music that is piped in may be different than for that used in a slide show or video. Most funeral homes have arrangements with the top music licensing agencies and can legally provide you with music from the above lists, but be sure to talk with your funeral director to ensure that you can legally use the songs before making your final choices.
