5 Worship Songs for Funerals, Memorial Services, and Celebrations of Life

Events that mark the death of loved ones and acquaintances are a part of everyone’s life. Christians attend what we call “celebrations of life” for other Christians who have closed their eyes to earth and opened them to eternity in the presence of the Lord Jesus. We celebrate Jesus and what He has done, is doing, and will do. We know to Whom we belong and where we will be after we die.  

Those who don’t know Christ as Savior and Lord face funerals with great sadness, and often with many questions about what death really means, and what happens after. They mourn as those with no hope. The chasm between believers and unbelievers is made starker still in light of what Paul said to the church in Thessalonica, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  

The Importance of the Gospel at a Funeral

Therefore, one feature is necessary for every funeral/memorial service, and celebration of life—the Gospel. Only the best news will do. Sharing the best news that Jesus lived the life we cannot and died the death we deserve is what everyone needs to hear—and yes, Christians need the Gospel, too.  

Even unbelievers often enlist a pastor to speak at a funeral/memorial service. We trust they will share the Gospel with those in attendance. But another avenue for the proclamation of the Gospel is through the worship songs selected for the service. Hymns are a best friend to the message that’s meant to be shared. The music and lyrics are uplifting and purposed to help prepare a heart for worship and to receive the Gospel message.  

The following are five worship songs for funerals, memorial services, and celebrations of life. 

Was there ever a worship song so well-known by Christians and non-Christians? Its message is even more poignant when sung during a funeral service. Hope in God’s grace abounds through the lyrics: 

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound 

That saved a wretch like me. 

I once was lost, but now am found 

Was blind, but now I see. 

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed! 

The final verse crescendoes with a look to the future when Christ will return for His church and we are forever His. 

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below,
will be forever mine. 

Find the song at Worship House Media: Amazing Grace  

Scripture references: 

• 1 Chronicles 17:26-27 
• Psalm 34:4 
• Psalm 119:114 
• Luke 15:1-6 
• 2 Peter 3:12 
• John 1:14-17 

The history of this hymn is as much a balm for the soul as its lyrics. Late in the nineteenth century, Horatio Spafford lost his children to a sunken ship after it collided with another ship. Only his wife survived. When he crossed the site of the tragedy on his way to his wife, Spafford wrote the lyrics. Spafford focused on God’s will and on his peace because of Christ’s atoning work on the cross. 

When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul 

It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul 

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul! 

Find the song at Worship House Media: It is Well With My Soul 

Scripture references: 

• Psalm 16:9-10 
• Psalm 46 
• Psalm 23 
• Revelation 6:14 
• Mark 10:29-30 

Written in the sixteenth-century by the great Reformer, Martin Luther, this hymn looks to the Lord for His strength and His protection.  

The second and last verses are included here. They point us to Christ and His atonement for us. 

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle. 

That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever! 

Find the song at Worship House Media: A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Scripture references: 

• Deuteronomy 7:21; 33:27 
• 2 Samuel 22:2-7 
• Matthew 28:18 
• Romans 8:35-39 

The Heidelberg Catechism of the faith begins with this question: “What is your only comfort in life and death?” The answer rings throughout this hymn, “That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.” 

Inspired by this catechism, this modern hymn was written by Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker, and Matt Papa. 

What is our hope in life and death?
Christ alone, Christ alone
What is our only confidence?
That our souls to him belong 

Unto the grave, what shall we sing?
"Christ, he lives! Christ, he lives!"
And what reward will heaven bring?
Everlasting life with him

There we will rise to meet the Lord
Then sin and death will be destroyed
And we will feast in endless joy
When Christ is ours forevermore

O sing hallelujah!
Our hope springs eternal
O sing hallelujah!
Now and ever we confess
Christ our hope in life and death 

Find the song at Worship House Media: Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

Scripture references: 

• Psalm 16:11 
• Nahum 1:7 
• John 3:16 

Good Lord willing, unbelievers who attend the funeral/memorial service will be drawn to the Lord by the Holy Spirit. Even if they are not, they will hear a testimony of the Lord’s faithfulness through this and the previous hymns. 

Penned in 1906 by prolific hymn writer, Ada R. Habershon, He Will Hold Me Fast assures us Christ will never leave us or forsake us. What a wonderful promise. 

When I fear my faith will fail,
Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail,
He can hold me fast! 

He'll not let my soul be lost,
Christ will hold me fast;
Bought by Him at such a cost,
He will hold me fast. 

Find the song at Worship House Media: He Will Hold Me Fast

Scripture references: 

• Psalm 139:9-10 
• Isaiah 41:10 
• John 6:37-39 
• 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 
• Hebrews 4:16 
• 1 Peter 1:3-4 

Often, time doesn’t allow as many as five hymns during a funeral/memorial/celebration service. But just one or two of the recommended hymns will be a great addition to the observance. The hymns not chosen for the service can be added to the program for people to take home. 

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, in our world as it is, death still touches every person. But You have defeated death, You hold the keys of death, and one day You will consign death to its eternal end. No more tears will assail Your people. We who know You as Savior and Lord eagerly await Your return. We pray for those who don’t know You as Lord and Savior—that Your Spirit will bring them to life and they will know death is not a Christian’s end. It’s a passage to You in heaven. We praise You, and thank You, and love You for loving us so much that You died on the cross for us and saved our sin-sick selves. Blessed be Your name above all others. For it’s in the strong name of Jesus we pray. Amen.