Explore 20 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's darkest moments resonates with mourners seeking comfort. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s favorite, performed at his funeral.
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's memorial service.
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's release from earthly struggles.
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's ship passed over the spot where all four daughters drowned, this hymn represents faith's triumph over tragedy.
Why it's meaningful: Despite devastating loss, Spafford declared "it is well," offering mourners a profound example of peace through loss.
Best moment: Powerful testimony of faith during the darkest moments.
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's service, it offers a way to worship even through grief with majestic melody.
Best moment: Powerful during worship moments or as a solo performance.
by Ethel Waters
Inspired by a disabled couple's unwavering faith, this beloved hymn reassures mourners that God watches over all His children.
Why it's meaningful: The message of divine care and protection brings comfort, reminding us loved ones remain in God's loving sight.
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's word.
Why it's meaningful: Initially rejected before being embraced, the song's plea for God to direct our paths brings comfort.
Best moment: Meaningful during worship or reflection time.
by Marvin Sapp
Written after the death of Sapp's father and two mentors, this testimonial song came during a service when he thought he couldn't preach.
Why it's meaningful: Its message of God's faithfulness through life's trials resonates with those mourning and reflecting on the journey.
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's resurrection and the assurance that "because He lives, I can face tomorrow."
Why it's meaningful: Christ's victory over death guarantees eternal life, offering profound comfort to grieving families.
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's tragic life adds poignancy to this song's message of finding solace in prayer and divine friendship during grief.
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's Hot 100.
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 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 "we fall down, but we get up" combined with "holy is the Lord" redirects focus to God's unchanging nature.
Best moment: Uplifting during worship or as a congregational hymn.
by Kirk Franklin
From the groundbreaking "God's Property" album, this uplifting contemporary gospel song celebrates the end of life's trials and storms.
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's storms to "peace, be still" offers comfort, assuring God can bring calm to turbulent circumstances.
Best moment: Calming choice during reflection or meditation.
by Rev. Paul Jones
This powerful testimony song about enduring life's hardships without complaint has become a beloved funeral standard.
Why it's meaningful: Message of gratitude despite trials and refusal to complain even when "the load gets heavy" speaks to resilience of faith.
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's trials, including death and grief.
Why it's meaningful: Message that after you've done all you can, "just stand" offers encouragement to remain steadfast in faith.
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.