Funeral readings
Hymns for a funeral or memorial service
A congregational hymn takes about four minutes of a funeral service — longer than most people plan for — and needs somebody to lead the singing or a recording cued in advance. “Abide With Me”, “The Lord’s My Shepherd”, “Amazing Grace” and “Jerusalem” are the ones most often chosen.
Hymns are where a service loses its timing. Four minutes is the honest figure for a verse-heavy hymn with an organ introduction, and the run-sheet below gives each one its real length rather than an optimistic one.
Watch the reprint permission separately from the singing. A venue’s licence usually covers a congregation singing from its own hymn books; printing the words in an order of service is a different permission, and some of the best-known hymn texts are still in copyright even though the tune is not.
11 hymns for a funeral or memorial service, shortest first
- 4 minutesThe Lord's My Shepherd (Crimond)Scottish Psalter, 1650 · Psalm 23 to a tune. Confirm the tune, not just the hymn.Too long to print in full
- 4 minutesIn the GardenC. Austin Miles, 1912 · Intimate rather than grand. Frequently asked for by name.Too long to print in full
- 4 minutesBe Thou My VisionAncient Irish, trans. Mary Byrne 1905 · One of the few that sits comfortably at both a wedding and a funeral.Too long to print in full
- 4 minutesWhat a Friend We Have in JesusJoseph Scriven, 1855 · Easy on a congregation that is struggling to get through the service.Too long to print in full
- 4 minutesAmazing GraceJohn Newton, 1779 · The one a room full of people who never sing will still sing.
- 4 minutesNearer, My God, to TheeSarah Flower Adams, 1841 · Solemn and old. Expect the Titanic association in at least one head.Too long to print in full
- 4 minutesEternal Father, Strong to Save (the Navy Hymn)William Whiting, 1860 · The Navy Hymn. Coordinate it with the honor guard, not around them.Too long to print in full
- 4 minutesIt Is Well With My SoulHoratio Spafford, 1873 · Its backstory is a shipwreck. Handle that knowledge carefully.Too long to print in full
- 4 minutesThe Old Rugged CrossGeorge Bennard, 1913 · A staple at traditional Protestant services.Too long to print in full
- 4 minutesAbide With MeHenry Francis Lyte, 1847 · Traditional and slow. Suits an older congregation who will actually sing.
- 5 minutesHow Great Thou ArtStuart K. Hine (English text, 1949) · Big and well loved. Watch the reprint license if there is a printed order of service.Reader brings a copy
Questions
Hymns for a funeral or memorial service: what is usually chosen?
A congregational hymn takes about four minutes of a funeral service — longer than most people plan for — and needs somebody to lead the singing or a recording cued in advance. “Abide With Me”, “The Lord’s My Shepherd”, “Amazing Grace” and “Jerusalem” are the ones most often chosen.
Which of these can be printed in the script?
2 of the 11 readings on this page are public domain, so their full text is printed on this site and can go into a ceremony script or an order of service. The rest are named with their author and a note on where to get a copy — we do not reproduce text that is still in copyright.
Texts last checked 2026-07-25.
The reading is two minutes. The service is the rest of it.
Answer some questions about them and get the whole service written out — the welcome, the account of their life, the remembrances, the committal — with your chosen readings in place and a run-sheet that knows how long each one takes.