Music is a traditional part of most funeral services. This can be classical music, it can be a live performance by an individual or group if you so wish, or it may be contemporary or even somewhat eccentric depending on the character of the deceased. Music is traditionally played at one or more of five points during the service and we offer a list of popular hymns and music for funerals below.

Music is traditionally played at one or more of five points during the service:

Entrance

This is the music played whilst the coffin is carried into the Chapel

Reflection

This is music played during the service giving family and friends time to think and reflect

Hymns

Communal songs can be a nice addition. For Hymn suggestions please see below

Committal

Music is sometimes played during the committal of the deceased. The celebrant will often speak the committal whilst the music is playing

Exit

Music that is played at the end of the service and whilst the guests leave.

All local crematoria have facilities for downloading a vast range of music for your service. Many use a site called Wesley Music, however Southend Crematorium uses Obitus Music. They have a huge range of music from classical to electro pop on their servers and they are usually able to provide music not listed on their database if requested. The exception to this is live music and this can be arranged and organised for you by any good Funeral Director.

Whatever your music needs your funeral director will be able to check availability and advise you on whether certain music is available at your crematorium.

Popular Hymns for funerals
Below we have compiled a list of the most popular hymns for a variety of funeral types.

Popular hymns
  • The Lord is My Shepherd
  • Abide With Me
  • Amazing Grace
  • Morning Has Broken
  • Jerusalem
  • All Things Bright and Beautiful
  • How Great Thou Art
  • The Old Rugged Cross
  • I Watch the Sunrise
  • Ave Maria
Catholic funeral hymns
  • Ave Maria
  • I Am The Bread of Life
  • How Great Thou Art
  • Amazing Grace
Church of England hymns
  • Dear Lord and Father
  • Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
  • Lord of All Hopefulness
  • Jerusalem

Popular Songs for funerals
There is often time in the service to think back over your loved one’s life, to grieve and to let go. When thinking about music during the service consider what they enjoyed and what they meant to you, and then try to choose music based on those reflections. Below are a few suggestions for music tracks that are suitable for a variety of funerals.

Songs for your Mum
  • Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
  • Angel by Sarah McLachlan
  • You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Songs for your Dad
  • Hero by Mariah Carey
  • Dance With My Father by Luther Vandross
  • Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton
Songs for your Partner
  • I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
  • Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
  • Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
Songs for a Child
  • There You’ll Be by Faith hill
  • Arms of the Angels by Sarah McLachlan
  • This Little Light of Mine
  • Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton
Songs about Angels
  • Angels by Robbie Williams
  • Jealous of the Angels by Bostic
  • Touched by an Angel by Stevie Nicks
Joyful funeral music
  • Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python
  • What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
  • Don’t You Forget About Me by Simple Minds

Can we help you?

If you wish to talk to one of our funeral arrangers about our services please get in touch.
01702 436000 Contact us online Get A Bespoke Quote

Testimonials

I just want to say thank you on behalf of myself and my sisters for my father’s funeral. Thanks to you and your staff for helping us through this hard time, you made us feel very comfortable with our roles at the funeral and your professional services we received. We would highly recommend your services to anyone that may be in need.

S Pitkin - April 2017

To Nathan, Jeremy and staff,

Thank you so much for the care and kindness you showed with the planning of Mick’s funeral. We knew he was in good hands and appreciated the respect that was given to him.

Kindest regards

Linda and the White-Miller family - July 2020

Dear all at Penrose,

we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude in how you helped our family sort out and deal with the difficult process of arranging my late mother, Susan Johnson’s, funeral.

Your kindness, compassion and respect for the family, and how you delicately handled the coffin, was noticed by all.

Many thanks,

The Johnson Family - December 2021

Thank you for your sensitive care and support at a very difficult time

May C. and Family - Nov 2018

Dear Jeremy, Nathan and the funeral boys,

Thank you for your kindness, patience, professionalism, your unswerving aplomb at our weird requests, and for your versatility in adapting to necessary last minute restrictions and changes due to Covid.

Above all though thank you for taking care of my dad,

Love

Jackie - December 2020

Dear Brendon,

Just a note to say how much I appreciate you sending the order of service to New Zealand for Joanna …. I had not realised that she had passed and for you to provide the Order of Service so long after the event was very kind of you.

Thank you again for your kindness and effort,

Anna Slater - December 2021

To all at Penrose

Thank you so much for making a terrible day more bearable, you all acted with the utmost respect and support from beginning to end.

Keep up the good work,

Nicola and Kevin - July 2020

To all at Penrose. We as a family can’t thank you enough for the service you gave to my late mum Lesley Martin. From the moment she came into your care you made sure she was looked after,the funeral was wonderful we are truly great full for everything you had done. Thank you  xx

Sarah and family - March 2025
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