Explore 28 funeral songs tagged as "gospel". Each song has been carefully curated to help you create a meaningful memorial service.
by Mahalia Jackson
Written by Thomas Dorsey after losing his wife and infant son, this deeply personal hymn has become the quintessential gospel funeral song.
Why it's meaningful: Its heartfelt plea for divine guidance through life\\
Best moment: Perfect for processional or during reflection moments.
by Walter Hawkins
This uplifting anthem celebrates the promise of heaven and eternal life, transforming grief into hope.
Why it's meaningful: A staple in Black Protestant funeral traditions, it focuses on the glorious reunion awaiting believers in heaven during homegoing services.
Best moment: Powerful as a recessional or celebration of life moment.
by Andraé Crouch
This triumphant song anticipates the joy of seeing Jesus and being reunited with loved ones in heaven.
Why it's meaningful: Based on Revelation 21:3-4, it speaks of no more crying or dying. Performed at Michael Jackson\\
Best moment: Celebratory recessional or closing hymn.
by Albert Brumley
This song uses the metaphor of a bird freed from prison to describe the soul\\
Why it's meaningful: The most recorded gospel song of all time with over 1,000 versions, celebrating joyous liberation death brings to believers.
Best moment: Perfect for New Orleans jazz funerals and celebration of life services.
by Horatio Spafford
Written as Spafford\\
Why it's meaningful: Despite devastating loss, Spafford declared
Best moment: Powerful testimony of faith during the darkest moments.
by The Carter Family
Classic American folk hymn about family reunion in heaven, with the Carter Family\\
Why it's meaningful: The promise of reuniting in an unbroken circle offers hope that families separated by death will be together again.
Best moment: Perfect for family patriarchs/matriarchs or emphasizing heavenly reunion.
by Richard Smallwood
Written while Smallwood cared for his mother with dementia, this powerful song based on Psalm 121 became an anthem of worship and surrender.
Why it's meaningful: Performed at Aretha Franklin\\
Best moment: Powerful during worship moments or as a solo performance.
by Ethel Waters
Inspired by a disabled couple\\
Why it's meaningful: The message of divine care and protection brings comfort, reminding us loved ones remain in God\\
Best moment: Beautiful during quiet reflection or meditation.
by GMWA Women of Worship
This passionate prayer for divine guidance resonates deeply at funerals as families seek comfort in knowing their loved one walked in God\\
Why it's meaningful: Initially rejected before being embraced, the song\\
Best moment: Meaningful during worship or reflection time.
by Marvin Sapp
Written after the death of Sapp\\
Why it's meaningful: Its message of God\\
Best moment: Powerful testimony song during eulogies or tributes.
by Traditional Spiritual
This African American spiritual uses the biblical story of Elijah being taken to heaven in a chariot as a metaphor for death and spiritual liberation.
Why it's meaningful: For enslaved people, it represented hope for freedom—either escape or eternal freedom in heaven—a profound symbol of deliverance.
Best moment: Traditional choice for processional or recessional.
by Bill and Gloria Gaither
Written during the turbulent late 1960s, this song finds hope in Christ\\
Why it's meaningful: Christ\\
Best moment: Hopeful choice for celebrating resurrection faith.
by Traditional Hymn
Written by Joseph Scriven to comfort his mother after his fiancée drowned, this hymn emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate friend who bears our sorrows.
Why it's meaningful: Scriven\\
Best moment: Comforting during quiet reflection or congregational singing.
by Edwin Hawkins Singers
This joyful arrangement of an 18th-century hymn became a crossover hit, reaching #4 on Billboard\\
Why it's meaningful: Exuberant celebration of Jesus washing sins away brings uplifting, celebratory tone to homegoing services.
Best moment: Perfect for celebration of life and joyful homegoing services.
by Traditional Gospel
Traditional gospel hymn often played by jazz bands in New Orleans funerals, combining spiritual yearning with musical celebration.
Why it's meaningful: Expresses desire for divine closeness during grief while honoring the New Orleans tradition of jazz funerals.
Best moment: Processional for New Orleans-style funerals or spiritual services.
by Traditional Spiritual
Upbeat spiritual about laying down burdens by the riverside, frequently played during second line celebrations at New Orleans funerals.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates laying down life\\
Best moment: Second line or recessional for celebration of life services.
by Mahalia Jackson
Classic gospel song about God\\
Why it's meaningful: If God watches over sparrows, how much more does He care for us - offering deep comfort in faith during grief.
Best moment: Christian funerals emphasizing faith in divine care and protection.
by The Impressions
Curtis Mayfield\\
Why it's meaningful: The gentle gospel message of boarding the train to glory offers comfort that the deceased has begun their spiritual journey.
Best moment: Perfect for Christian funerals with soul music appreciation.
by Tamela Mann
This deeply vulnerable song about bringing brokenness to God became the highest-certified gospel song in US history (2x Platinum).
Why it's meaningful: Raw honesty about weakness and need for divine intervention makes it profound for funerals where mourners feel overwhelmed.
Best moment: Powerful during moments of surrender and seeking comfort.
by Donnie McClurkin
This song acknowledges human frailty while celebrating the holiness of God, offering hope to mourners struggling with grief.
Why it's meaningful: The message that
Best moment: Uplifting during worship or as a congregational hymn.
by Kirk Franklin
From the groundbreaking
Why it's meaningful: Message of overcoming resonates at funerals as celebration that the deceased has reached peaceful shore of heaven.
Best moment: Celebratory recessional or victory song.
by James Cleveland and The Angelic Choir
This 1963 recording became one of the best-selling gospel albums ever, selling over one million copies.
Why it's meaningful: The command to life\\
Best moment: Calming choice during reflection or meditation.
by Rev. Paul Jones
This powerful testimony song about enduring life\\
Why it's meaningful: Message of gratitude despite trials and refusal to complain even when
Best moment: Meaningful for honoring those who faced life with grace.
by Donnie McClurkin
This powerful anthem about standing firm through adversity speaks to the strength required to face life\\
Why it's meaningful: Message that after you\\
Best moment: Encouraging during moments of strength and perseverance.
by Annie Hawks
Written by housewife Annie Hawks during a moment of spiritual nearness to God, this hymn expresses constant dependence on divine presence.
Why it's meaningful: Recognition of continual need for God provides comfort to those facing the hourly reality of grief.
Best moment: Tender choice during quiet meditation or prayer.
by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye\\
Why it's meaningful: Gaye\\
Best moment: For families of faith who appreciate soul music\\
by Aretha Franklin
One of Aretha Franklin\\
Why it's meaningful: Aretha\\
Best moment: Christian services honoring women or celebrating gospel heritage.
by Mahalia Jackson
Duke Ellington composition from his sacred concert, sung by Mahalia, blending jazz sophistication with gospel fervor.
Why it's meaningful: The meeting of jazz and gospel honors the sacred in the sophisticated, celebrating spiritual devotion with artistic excellence.
Best moment: Beautiful for Christian funerals honoring jazz and gospel traditions.