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. “Amazing Grace”, “Abide With Me”, “The Lord’s My Shepherd” and “How Great Thou Art” 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.Sung, not printed
- 4 minutesIn the GardenC. Austin Miles, 1912 · Intimate rather than grand. Frequently asked for by name.Sung, not printed
- 4 minutesBe Thou My VisionAncient Irish, trans. Mary Byrne 1905 · One of the few that sits comfortably at both a wedding and a funeral.Sung, not printed
- 4 minutesWhat a Friend We Have in JesusJoseph Scriven, 1855 · Easy on a congregation that is struggling to get through the service.Sung, not printed
- 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.Sung, not printed
- 4 minutesEternal Father, Strong to Save (the Navy Hymn)William Whiting, 1860 · The Navy Hymn. Coordinate it with the honor guard, not around them.Sung, not printed
- 4 minutesIt Is Well With My SoulHoratio Spafford, 1873 · Its backstory is a shipwreck. Handle that knowledge carefully.Sung, not printed
- 4 minutesThe Old Rugged CrossGeorge Bennard, 1913 · A staple at traditional Protestant services.Sung, not printed
- 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.Sung, not printed
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. “Amazing Grace”, “Abide With Me”, “The Lord’s My Shepherd” and “How Great Thou Art” are the ones most often chosen.
Which of these can be printed in the script?
2 are hymns, and carry their opening verse rather than the whole of it — enough to speak at a graveside, with the rest in the book the venue sings from. 1 is still in copyright: we name it with its author and point you at a copy rather than reprinting the words. 8 are public domain and still not set out here — each one's page says why, and what to bring instead.
Texts last checked .
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.