Gospel-Centered Songs for Funerals

Last week, Catherine and I had the privilege of leading a few songs at the funeral of a wonderful lady we both knew at the church where we met and married. Joan Gepford knew and loved Jesus, so while we mourned her death, we rejoiced in her life and the hope of heaven.

Choosing songs for a funeral is a difficult task. Some funerals are harder than others, particularly when the death is unexpected or the person did not appear to know Jesus. But every funeral is hard, and every person attending is experiencing some level of pain and sadness. Many do not feel like singing at all, some are not Christians, some are seriously questioning God’s goodness and/or existence, and people from a variety of churches (with a variety of repertoires) are in one room.

I don’t know why God didn’t heal Joan Gepford of cancer and allow her to hold her newborn Granddaughter. But I do know God is good, God is faithful, and that Jesus is  “the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in (him), though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25).

That’s the good news of the Gospel – and that’s what the songs we sing at funerals should declare. Here are some suggestions for congregational songs and solo songs:

Congregational
Beautiful Savior (All My Days) by Stuart Townend

  • “I will trust in the cross of my Redeemer. I will sing of the blood that never fails, of sins forgiven, of conscience cleansed, of death defeated and life without end…”
  • “I long to be where the praise is never-ending, yearn to dwell where the glory never fades: where countless worshippers will share one song and cries of ‘worthy’ will honor the Lamb”

In Christ Alone by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

  • “No guilt in life, no fear in death, this the power of Christ in me. From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny…”

The Power of the Cross by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

  • “Oh to see my name written in the wounds, for through Your suffering I am free. Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live, won through your selfless love…”

There is a Higher Throne by Keith and Kristyn Getty

  • “Before the Son we’ll stand, made faultless through the Lamb. Believing hearts find promised grace, salvation comes…”

Before the Throne of God Above by Charitie Lees Bancroft, Vikki Cook

  • “One with himself I cannot die. My soul is purchased with his blood. My life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ my Savior and my God.”

It is Well with My Soul by Horatio Spafford

  • “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me so say ‘it is well, it is well with my soul…” “…Christ has regarded my helpless estate and has shed his own blood for my soul…” “…my sin not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more…”

Amazing Love (My Lord What Love is This) by Graham Kendrick

  • “Amazing love, oh what sacrifice, the Son of God given for me. My debt he pays and my death he dies that I might live…”

Rock of Ages Cleft for Me

  • “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling; naked, come to Thee for dress, helpless, look to Thee for grace; to Thy fountain, Lord, I fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.”

Jesus Paid it All

  • “And when before the throne, I stand in Him complete, ‘Jesus died my soul to save’ my lips shall still repeat…”
  • The new bridge by Kristian Stanfill says: “oh praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead”.

I Will Glory in My Redeemer by Steve and Vikki Cook

  • “I will glory in my Redeemer whose priceless blood has ransomed me… who crushed the power of sin and death, my only Savior before the Holy Judge, the Lamb who is my righteousness…”
  • “I will glory in my Redeemer who waits for me at gates of gold. And when He calls me, it will be paradise, His face forever to behold…”

Crown Him with Many Crowns

  • “Crown Him the Lord of life who triumphed o’er the grave, who rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save. His glories now we sing, who died and rose on high, who died eternal life to bring and lives that death may die.”

Solo
It is Not Death to Die by Henri Malan, George Bethune, and Bob Kauflin

  • “Jesus, conquering the grave, Your precious blood has power to save. Those who trust in You will in Your mercy find that it is not death to die.”

Hide Away in the Love of Jesus by Steve and Vikki Cook

  • “Come hopeless hearts, do not despair, hide away in the love of Jesus, for ten thousand joys await you there, hide away in the love of Jesus. Hear Him calling your name, see the depths of His love in the wounds of His grace. Hide away.”

There is a Hope by Stuart Townend and Mark Edwards

  • “I stand in Christ with sins forgiven, and Christ in me, the hope of heaven…”
  • “Through present sufferings, future’s fear, He whispers ‘courage’ in my ear. For I am safe in everlasting arms, and they will lead me home.”
  • “There is a hope that stands the test of time, that lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave, to see the matchless beauty of a day divine when I behold His face! When sufferings cease and sorrows die, and every longing satisfied, then joy unspeakable will flood my soul for I am truly home.”

I’m sure I’m leaving out a number of other gospel-centered songs that work well at funerals, so please feel free to share any I’ve missed.

Don’t Teach Too Many New Songs During the Summer

It’s summertime. In Washington D.C. that means two things: First, it’s ridiculously hot. Secondly, everyone goes on vacation.

This is the time of year when people take advantage of the kids being out of school and the weather being warm to get away. Especially in the nation’s capital, when congress isn’t in session, people scatter. It’s amazing how much shorter my commute is to and from work!

During the first couple of summers at my church I made the mistake of introducing too many songs. I began to realize that, especially during July and August, a larger percentage of people are missing on Sundays than usual. So when I was introducing new songs, it took them longer to catch on since they were newer to more people for longer.

In the months of the year when most people are in town, it might take a song two or three Sundays to get familiar. In the summer months, it might take four or five. It depends on the song, of course.

It’s good to keep your repertoire from getting stale and to introduce new songs – but during the summer months you might want to slow the rate down. Introduce a new song and then wait three weeks to introduce another one. In the interim, if you’re desperate for something fresh, pull out an older song you haven’t done in a while and change up the arrangement. Or find a hymn your congregation doesn’t know very well and use it. A critical mass of people will have heard the hymn before and they’ll help you carry it.

You never know how many people are going to be away on a Sunday. Some Sundays are more full than usual, and then other Sundays you wonder where everyone went. You’re probably better off leaning towards more familiar songs in either case and introducing new songs more slowly. Make sure you get a vacation too!

Happy Birthday to Blog

One year ago, after sensing God’s prodding for quite some time, I started this blog with the simple hope and prayer that it would be a helpful resource for worship leaders who just want to be more effective in serving God and his church.

I wasn’t sure if starting it was a good idea, so I sent a link to a few friends and asked for their input. Since I hadn’t done the official stuff like reserve a domain name yet, I asked them to keep it private. Bob Kauflin didn’t read that last part and recommended this blog via his Twitter and Facebook feeds. I wasn’t expecting that!

I’m grateful to Bob for that little push (not to mention his friendship and mentoring), and for encouraging me to just go ahead and write! I’m grateful to all of you who read, comment, and share this blog with others. And I’m grateful to my church for supporting me and encouraging me in branching out in this way.

My amazing wife, Catherine, has been a constant encourager, cheerleader, editor, and support. She is my partner in ministry, my best friend, and a lover of Jesus.

I really do pray that this blog helps worship leaders – average, humble, faithful worship leaders doing the hard work in regular churches across the world – and encourages us in our passion for the glory of God.

Thanks for reading!