Songs to Sing at a Funeral

Being asked to sing at a funeral is one of the most meaningful — and nerve-wracking — things anyone can do. The right song choice makes all the difference: something within your range, with accompaniment that supports you, and lyrics that honour the person without overwhelming the singer. This guide focuses on songs that work for live performance, not just listening.

Songs to Sing at a Funeral

Songs to sing at a funeral include “Amazing Grace” (the safest and most forgiving choice), “Ave Maria” by Schubert (the classical standard for soloists), “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, and “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban. Songs to sing at a funeral need to work for live performance — manageable vocal range, clear accompaniment options, and lyrics that won’t cause the singer to break down mid-song.

“Amazing Grace” — Traditional Hymn

One-octave range, universally known melody, congregation joins in to support a nervous singer. The safest choice for any skill level.

“Ave Maria” — Schubert

The gold standard for funeral soloists. Requires a trained voice but no one questions its appropriateness. Works with piano, organ, or guitar.

“Hallelujah” — Leonard Cohen

The verse sits in a comfortable mid-range. Can be performed with just acoustic guitar. The repeated "Hallelujah" chorus is forgiving and powerful.

“You Raise Me Up” — Josh Groban

Sounds impressive but the verse is manageable. The key change at the final chorus can be skipped if it's too high. Works as solo or duet.

Hymns to Sing at a Funeral

Hymns to sing at a funeral include “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Abide With Me,” “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” and “On Eagle’s Wings.” Hymns to sing at a funeral are designed for congregational singing, which means they’re written in manageable vocal ranges and forgiving melodies. Even an untrained singer can lead a hymn because the congregation will join in.

“How Great Thou Art” — Traditional Hymn

Powerful as a solo or congregational hymn. The chorus builds naturally — start quietly and let the room carry you on "Then sings my soul."

“Abide With Me” — Henry Francis Lyte

A gentle evening hymn about God's presence through death. The melody is simple and the emotional weight is in the words, not the vocal difficulty.

“Be Not Afraid” — Bob Dufford

Catholic favourite with a reassuring, repetitive melody. The message — "Be not afraid, I go before you always" — directly addresses the fear of death.

“On Eagle's Wings” — Michael Joncas

Verses are manageable; the chorus soars. A confident singer makes this shine. One of the most requested Catholic funeral hymns.

Easy Songs to Sing at a Funeral

Easy songs to sing at a funeral share three qualities: narrow vocal range (one octave or less), simple melodies that don’t require vocal runs or power notes, and lyrics that most people recognise. “Amazing Grace” is the easiest — the melody sits in a comfortable range and the congregation joins in. “You Are My Sunshine” works for informal services or children’s tributes. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is widely known and forgiving.

For hymns, “The Lord Is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23) has a simple, repetitive melody. “All Things Bright and Beautiful” works for nature lovers. “Danny Boy” sounds difficult but the melody is actually intuitive — most Irish families already know it by heart. The key to singing at a funeral when you’re nervous: choose something you already know rather than learning something new.

Songs for Funeral Soloists

For trained singers, funeral solos offer a chance to create a truly memorable moment. “Ave Maria” by Schubert is the classical standard — sopranos and tenors perform it equally well. “Pie Jesu” from Fauré’s Requiem is ethereal and suited to soprano or boy soprano voices. “Time to Say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman works as a solo if you take just the English or Italian portion.

For contemporary soloists: “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen with acoustic guitar, “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac (simple melody, devastating at a funeral), or “The Prayer” as a duet. Always rehearse with the accompanist at least twice — and agree on a signal if you need to stop. Have the recording ready as backup.

Accompaniment for Funeral Singing

Piano: The most versatile accompaniment for funeral singing. Piano supports the singer without overpowering them and can adjust volume dynamically. Works for hymns, pop songs, and classical pieces. Most churches and crematoriums have a piano or keyboard available.

Organ: Best for traditional hymns in church settings. The sustained sound supports congregational singing and fills large spaces. Less flexible than piano for contemporary songs.

Guitar: Creates an intimate, personal atmosphere. Ideal for folk songs, “Hallelujah,” “Songbird,” and informal celebrations of life. Acoustic guitar works especially well in smaller venues.

A cappella: The most powerful but most difficult option. Only attempt this if you’re a confident singer with a strong sense of pitch. “Amazing Grace” and “Danny Boy” are the two songs that work best unaccompanied.