When selecting the right song for a religious funeral or memorial service, many people often lean towards special or meaningful hymns. However, sometimes people want a more modern song that expresses the same feelings.
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For that reason, we have come up with a list of some of the best songs for a funeral that have a religious theme or religious references in them. If you are looking for hymns, please check out the page on traditional funeral songs.
It should be noted that some churches have restrictions on what music they will allow to be played there. Check with your minister or organist in order to be sure that the songs you select are allowed at your church. Funeral homes do not have such restrictions.
For your convenience, we have included links to the sheet music on Sheetmusicplus.com as well as the CD on Amazon.com whenever available. If you are looking to purchase the mp3 or would like to listen to a sample, then click on either the Amazon, Rhapsody, or iTunes links.
Rhapsody provides both music subscriptions as well as individual mp3s for sale in WMA format and iTunes only provides MPEG-4 audio files for sale. However, Amazon does offer mp3s that are compatible with both Windows Media Player and iTunes. For more information about where to purchase music online, we provide it on our Music Downloads page or our Music Subscriptions page.
NEW! Listen to a sample of selections listed below from Amazon by clicking the play button
on the box below.
"All My Tears" is sung by both Julie Miller and Emmylou Harris. While the Harris version is nice, Miller seems to capture the song a little bit better and it is her version that is linked below. The song is a Christian song about how things are better now that she is in heaven.
Significant Verse:
It don't matter where you bury me
I'll be home and I'll be free
It don't matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away
Click to find it on
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This song is slightly depressing with lyrics like "there's always one reason / to feel not good enough," "there's vultures and thieves at your back" and "you keep on building the lie / that you make up for all that you lack." Still, it is hauntingly beautiful in a style perfected by Sarah McLachlan.
Chorus:
In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
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This song has a Celtic feel to it and borders on being folksy, but not too bad. I would consider it a good alternative to Danny Boy. It should not be confused with the song Angels that is sung by Robbie Williams or the song Angel sung by Sarah McLachlan. The song is written and performed by Mary McLaughlin, who wrote the song for her brother, Anthony.
Chorus:
For angels must walk before they can fly
And angels must learn to laugh and to cry
The angels are here, they're among you and I
We're all learning to be angels
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This song tells the story of a faithul Christian who fought many spiritual battles on Earth such as temptation, fear, and depression. Through it all, his/her faith never wavered. Now that Christian "soldier" as died and he/she is going home to Heaven. The song has a slower tempo and is very beautifully sung by Janet Paschal.
Chorus:
Strike up the band
Assemble the choir
Another soldier's coming home
For he'll battle no more
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Mark Schultz sings this song. The song us upbeat with a fairly lively tempo. It's focus is mainly on people who have turned away from religion. The song tells them that God has never abandoned them and is waiting for them to return home. It would also be appropriate for a funeral--especially for someone who had become a born-again Christian.
Significant Verse:
Chorus:
I believe that He never let you go
I believe that He's wanting you to know
I believe that He'll lead you 'til
You're back in His arms again
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This Christian lullaby is based on Psalm 139:11 and sung by Michael Card. It sounds more like a folk song than a traditional lullaby. The song talks about protection through the night.
Significant Lyrics:
The Father above does not slumber or sleep
He wakefully watches our ways
Then there's no reason for you to weep
For the Father above neither slumbers nor sleeps
Click to find it on
"Friends" is probably the sweetest, most meaningful song that could possibly be performed at a funeral. Although there are quite a few songs that have the same title, the version I am referring to is sung by Michael W. Smith, who also helped write the song. Like all of Smith's songs, it has a strong religious feel to it and includes several references to God.
Chorus:
And friends are friends forever
If the lord's the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
Cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.
Click to find it on
Vince Gill began writing this song after the death of Keith Whitley, but didn't finish it until a few years later after the death of his brother. The song became a tribute to them both. The song is directed at the person who is passed on, and urges them to move on because they've earn the rest.
Significant Verse:
Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing
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Hayley Westenra is a teenage singer from New Zealand. She is definately a soprano and her talents will amaze you. She is the perfect singer for this song, which is about someone who has died too soon. The song makes some brief references to heaven, but no overt religious references. The best line in the song: "And oh, I know just by knowing you I was blessed / Yes, I was truly blessed."
Significant Verse:
So why, tell me why the good die young my old friend
I pray that heaven waits for everyone in the end
And love, love is how we cross that bridge to the light
A star that is what you are in my darkest night
Be always by my side
Click to find it on
Although Jo Dee Messina is known for being a country singer, this song does not have the traditional twang associated with country music. In other words, even people who typically dislike country music should like this song, especially after listening to the lyrics. One of the best lines in the song is "If I knew the last time that I held you was the last time / I'd have held you and never let go."
Chorus:
I guess heaven was needing a hero
Somebody just like you
Brave enough to stand up
For what you believe
And follow it through
When I try to make it make sense in my mind
The only conclusion I come to
Is heaven was needing a hero
Like you
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Written by the lead singer of MercyMe, a contemporary Christian group, this song talks about what it might be like to me Jesus the first time. The song was their first single and reached number one on the Christian charts. Amy Grant slightly rewrote the song and recorded it under the title "Imagine."
Chorus:
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
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"Let it Be" was written by Paul McCartney and part of the last album the Beatles released before breaking up. The phrase "mother Mary" is often misinterpreted to mean Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. However, McCartney is actually referring to his own mother, who was also named Mary, who died when he was only 14. This song was played at Linda McCartney's funeral. Because the Beatles are one of the "online holdouts" who won't allow their albums to be released online, the mp3 link to Paul McCartney's solo versions.
Significant Verse:
When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Click to find it on
"One Sweet Day" is sung by Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey. It is one of the most passionate and meaningful songs I've ever heard. Unfortunately, they sing the song so well that I doubt any other singer could do it justice. The religious mentions are very brief, but still important.
Refrain:
And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day
Eventually we'll sing in heaven
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Eric Clapton wrote this about his 4-year-old son Conor, who died when he fell out of a 53rd floor window in the apartment where his mother was staying in New York City. Clapton then recorded it as part of a movie soundtrack. It is a very soulful song that clearly illustrates how Clapton feels. However, it is generic enough to be appropriate at any type of funeral.
Significant Lyrics:
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
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Geoff Moore sings this song about what will happen after death. The song wonders what people will think of him after he has gone as well as what he will face in the afterlife. It is a Christian song, with a good portion of the lyrics being devoted to talk of Jesus Christ and God.
Significant Verse:
When the music fades into the past,
When the days of life are through,
What will be remembered of where I've come?
When all is said and done?
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Paul Williams wrote "You're Gone" with Nashville songwriter Jon Vezner. According to Williams, the song is based on his own life events. The message of the song basically states that the singer is glad for the moments that were shared, even though that person is gone. According to Williams, Garth Brooks recorded but never released a version of the song. To date, the most popular version of the song is Diamond Rio's.
Significant Lyrics:
Now I know God has His reasons
But sometimes it's hard to see them
When I awake and find that you're not there
You found hope in hopeless
Your made crazy sane
You became the missing link
That helped me break my chains
Click to find it on
I pray we’ll find Your light
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night
Remind us where You are
Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Sheetmusicplus
There are many ways of being in this circle we call life
A wise man seeks an answer, burns his candle through the night
Is a jewel just a pebble that found a way to shine
Is a heros blood more righteous than a hobos sip of wine
Sheetmusicplus
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