Arranging a funeral is a very difficult time in anyone's life. Choosing the music can add to the strain. The most important thing is to choose music that you comfortable with, and that your loved one would have wanted. But these suggestions may help if you need some guidance.
Funeral hymns
At least one hymn will
usually be sung if the funeral service in a church, and may be sung at a
crematorium. Certain hymns are particularly well suited for a funeral
service. Usually the hymns recommended in a hymn book for evening are
particularly appropriate, as are those based on the 23rd psalm. You may also
want to consider a favourite hymn of the person who has died - bear in mind
it might not be known to the organist, so ask as soon as you can. These are
common funeral hymns: for some hymns we've got a
MIDI file that will give you and idea of what the tune sounds like - click
on the 
icon to hear it.
- Abide with Me - an evening hymn often used at funerals
- Amazing Grace
-
with its message of redemption, as popular for funerals as it is for
weddings. This one isn't in
either of the main hymn books, but can be found in Songs of Fellowship,
and most choirs can dig out a copy.
- Be Thou My Vision
- to the well known, gentle Irish folk tune Slane, this is a general hymn
but one that is fine for a funeral
- Going Home - this is a hymn set to music arranged from Dvorak's 9th Symphony (for UK readers, the music of the old Hovis advert with the cobbled street). The words are very emotional, so won't suit everyone. Not in the hymn books, but you can get the words, sheet music and hear it sung for free at LNWHymns.
- In Heavenly Love Abiding - once a popular hymn at funerals, but not seen so often now. It isn't in either of the main hymn books, but is in Mission Praise.
- O God, Our Help in Ages Past - a good, traditional hymn that is very appropriate for funerals. The fifth verse (beginning "Time like an ever-rolling stream") is often omitted, and this is particularly sensible with a funeral as the words of that verse can seem inappropriate.
- O strength and stay - an evening hymn appropriate for funerals.
- Saviour Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise - an evening hymn appropriate for funerals
- The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended - probably the best of the evening hymns and although more cheerful than some, still appropriate for a funeral
- The King of Love My
Shepherd is - this hymn version of the 23rd psalm is frequently used
at funerals. It has two tunes - perhaps more common is Dominus Regit Me
, but spare a thought for the rather lovely
St Columba (NEH).
- The Lord's My
Shepherd - like "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" a setting of the
23rd psalm that is even more frequently used at funerals.
- Thine be the Glory - a very good choice for a funeral, if you want a positive note of affirmation that death is not the end. Its lively Handel tune is uplifting, and the words speak of "endless is the victory thou o'er death has won" and "death has lost its sting".
Music for hymns
We quite often get asked where you can get sheet music for a particular hymn. Few hymns are available as separate sheet music. All the hymns and tunes we mention above are in both the main Anglican hymn books: Ancient & Modern New Standard and The New English Hymnal unless they are marked AMNS or NEH to show just one book features them. See our hymn book page for information on buying these from Amazon, but check with your organist first - many will already have access to copies.
If there is no organist available, you might find our hymn accompaniment CDs useful - they enable you to sing hymns without anyone to play. For many funerals, the general set is most relevant, but some services, particularly military funerals, it is worth taking a look at our remembrance CD, which includes many traditional Remembrance Day hymns, and five national anthems.
A choir
As funerals are often held during the week in can be difficult for a church choir, where many members might be at work or at school, to attend. In some churches, where the choir is largely retired, this is is possible - if you would like help with the singing, it does no harm to ask. If the members of the choir are liable to attend the funeral anyway - for example, if the funeral is for a member of the choir, or someone well known in the church they will often volunteer to attend.
Although church choirs normally charge for attending special services, funerals can provide difficulties for both the choir and those making the arrangements as to whether or not this is acceptable. If the members of the choir are likely to be attending anyway it is very unlikely that they will want to charge, and if the family would like to make a donation it will probably go to charity. If, however, a choir is requested for which the choir would not otherwise attend it is only fair to expect to pay a similar charge to that made for weddings.
Anthems
If you are having a choir they will usually be able to offer an anthem - a short sung piece that will act as a point of contemplation within the service. What they can sing will depend on the choir's repertoire and will need discussing beforehand, but here are some suggestions:
- Agnus Dei - this is part of the mass (communion service) and there are hundreds of settings from very simple to highly complex. Tends to be good for a funeral because it is usually quite sombre and short. If you have a superb choir, Barber's Agnus Dei is probably the most effective setting, but few church choirs could cope - you may need to bring in a professional group to achieve this.
- Ave Verum Corpus (various) - there are very many settings of these Latin words. Not to be confused with Ave Maria, Ave Verum Corpus is not really a good choice for weddings unless you are having communion in the service. It means "hail the true body [of Christ]" - it's specifically about the communion service. Mozart's is the best known setting, but Byrd's is the most outstanding musically .
- Funeral Ikos - this haunting, repetitive piece by John Tavener is ideal for funerals, but is beyond most choirs, as is Tavener's Song for Athene, which was used at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. If you like this kind of music and happen to have a brilliant choir, or bring in a professional one to sing it, they can be very moving.
- God be in My Head (Walford Davies) - a simple little piece, very appropriate for funerals. Most choirs know it, and it is very short, so is a good choice if time is limited.
- God So Loved the World - a very well known anthem from Stainer's Crucifixion that will be in the repertoire of many choirs, this is very appropriate for funerals with its message of hope. Click here to hear the tune
- Nunc Dimittis - part of the setting for the evening service, the Nunc Dimittis, sometimes called the song of Simeon, is ideal for a funeral with its moving words "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word." There are literally hundreds of settings from the very simple to grand - pretty well any choir will know some.
- Requiems - the Requiem mass is a service for the dead, and some of the better known settings, particularly Faure's are haunting. A whole requiem is much too long for most funerals, but you might like to consider a movement. However, many church choirs may not be able to perform your choice, so check first.
- The Lord is My Shepherd - there are a number of anthem versions of the 23rd psalm. Perhaps best known outside church is Howard Goodall's delightful setting that is the theme for the TV show The Vicar of Dibley - some choirs will have the music for this.
- Thou Knowest Lord, the Secrets of Our Heart - with beautiful music by Purcell, and words from burial service this superb anthem is known by many choirs and is ideal for funerals and memorial services
Organ music
Organ music is traditional in churches and can add to the occasion at the beginning and end of the service as well as accompanying any hymns. There is much less tradition here than with the wedding service - talk through any suggestions with your organist.
Recorded music
You can of course use recorded music (you may have to provide the equipment to play it - check), and this may be the best way to get a favourite piece into the occasion, particularly as people are arriving. Note that to use recorded music you may have to pay appropriate copyright fees - check with the vicar or whoever is taking the funeral.
Looking for a particular type of music or a CD with a particular piece on? Drop us an e-mail and we'll try to help. Do let us know also if you can recommend on online resource and we'll add it to our lists.
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Unleashed Limited 2006
Last update 18 July 2006
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