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YOUR CHOICES

Music & hymns

Need help with the music and hymn selection for your funeral? Browse our suggestions that includes both modern and traditional recommendations.

The music and hymns at a funeral have long been an important part of personalising the service. Whether it’s choosing a song or hymn that your loved one enjoyed, or a piece of music that instills the right kind of sentiment, it’s an opportunity to bring personality to the ceremony.

Of course, there may be certain restrictions to what music can be played in some churches, but crematoriums are non-religious buildings and usually allow any music you wish. We have helped families include live musicians in the service, including pianists, buglers and singers. Music and hymns can normally be organised very simply, while live musicians come at an extra cost.

We have a collection of hymn and song choices below, but if you would like further help coordinating the music for your funeral, please get in touch with one of the Harold White team.

Examples of hymns

  • Morning has broken,
    Like the first morning,
    Blackbird has spoken
    Like the first bird;
    Praise for the singing,
    Praise for the morning,
    Praise for them springing
    Fresh from the Word.

    Sweet the rain’s new fall,
    Sunlit from heaven,
    Like the first dewfall
    On the first grass;
    Praise for the sweetness,
    Of the wet garden,
    Sprung in completeness
    Where his feet pass.

    Mine is the sunlight,
    Mine is the morning,
    Born of the one light
    Eden saw play;
    Praise with elation,
    Praise every morning,
    God’s re-creation
    Of the new day.

  • O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
    Consider all the works Thy hand hath made;
    I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,

    Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
    How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
    Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
    How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

    When through the woods and forest glades I wander
    And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
    When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
    And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze:

    Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
    How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
    Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
    How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

    And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
    Sent Him to die – I scarce can take it in:
    That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
    He bled and died to take away my sin:

    Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
    How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
    Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
    How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

    When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
    And take me home – what joy shall fill my heart!
    Then shall I bow in humble adoration,
    And there proclaim, my God how great Thou art!

  • All things bright and beautiful,
    all creatures great and small,
    all things wise and wonderful:
    the Lord God made them all.

    Each little flow’r that opens,
    each little bird that sings,
    he made their glowing colours,
    he made their tiny wings.

    All things bright and beautiful,
    all creatures great and small,
    all things wise and wonderful:
    the Lord God made them all.

    The purple-headed mountains,
    the river running by,
    the sunset and the morning
    that brightens up the sky.

    All things bright and beautiful,
    all creatures great and small,
    all things wise and wonderful:
    the Lord God made them all.

    The cold wind in the winter,
    the pleasant summer sun,
    the ripe fruits in the garden,
    he made them every one.

    All things bright and beautiful,
    all creatures great and small,
    all things wise and wonderful:
    the Lord God made them all.

    The tall trees in the greenwood,
    the meadows for our play,
    the rushes by the water,
    to gather ev’ry day.

    All things bright and beautiful,
    all creatures great and small,
    all things wise and wonderful:
    the Lord God made them all.

    He gave us eyes to see them,
    and lips that we might tell
    how great is God Almighty,
    who has made all things well.

    All things bright and beautiful,
    all creatures great and small,
    all things wise and wonderful:
    the Lord God made them all.

  • Going home, going home,
    I’m just going home.
    Quiet-like, slip away-
    I’ll be going home.
    It’s not far, just close by;
    Jesus is the Door;
    Work all done, laid aside,
    Fear and grief no more.
    Friends are there, waiting now.
    He is waiting, too.
    See His smile! See His hand!
    He will lead me through.

    Morning Star lights the way;
    Restless dream all done;
    Shadows gone, break of day,
    Life has just begun.
    Every tear wiped away,
    Pain and sickness gone;
    Wide awake there with Him!
    Peace goes on and on!
    Going home, going home,
    I’ll be going home.
    See the Light! See the Sun!
    I’m just going home.

  • I watch the sunrise lighting the sky,
    Casting its shadows near.
    And on this morning bright though it be,
    I feel those shadows near me.

    But you are always close to me
    Following all my ways.
    May I be always close to you
    Following all your ways, Lord.

    I watch the sunlight shine through the clouds,
    Warming the earth below.
    And at the mid-day, life seems to say:
    I feel your brightness near me.

    For you are always close to me
    Following all my ways.
    May I be always close to you
    Following all your ways, Lord.

    I watch the sunset fading away,
    Lighting the clouds with sleep.
    And as the evening closes its eyes,
    I feel your presence near me.

    For you are always close to me
    Following all my ways.
    May I be always close to you
    Following all your ways, Lord.

    I watch the moonlight guarding the night,
    Waiting till morning comes.
    The air is silent, earth is at rest
    Only your peace is near me.

    Yes, you are always close to me
    Following all my ways.
    May I be always close to you
    Following all your ways, Lord.

  • And did those feet in ancient time
    Walk upon England’s mountain green?
    And was the holy Lamb of God
    On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
    And did the countenance divine
    Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
    And was Jerusalem builded here
    Among those dark satanic mills?

    Bring me my bow of burning gold!
    Bring me my arrows of desire!
    Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
    Bring me my chariot of fire!
    I will not cease from mental fight,
    Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
    Till we have built Jerusalem
    In England’s green and pleasant land.

  • Amazing grace! how sweet the sound!
    That saved a wretch like me!
    I once was lost, but now I’m found;
    Was blind, but now I see.

    ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
    And grace my fears relieved.
    How precious did that grace appear
    The hour I first believed!

  • Abide with me:
    Fast falls the even tide;
    The darkness deepens:
    Lord, with me abide!
    When other helpers fail,
    And comforts flee,
    Help of the helpless,
    O abide with me!

    Swift to its close
    Ebbs out life’s little day;
    Earth’s joys grow dim;
    Its glories pass away;
    Change and decay in all
    Around I see;
    O Thou who changest
    Not, abide with me!

    I need Thy presence
    Ev’ry passing hour:
    What but Thy grace can
    Foil the tempter’s pow’r?
    Who like Thyself my guide
    And stay can be?
    Through cloud and sunshine,
    O abide with me!

  • The Lord is my Shepherd
    I shall not want
    He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
    He leadeth me besides the still waters

    The Lord is my Shepherd
    I shall not want
    He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
    He leadeth me besides the still waters
    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
    I will fear no evil

    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
    I will fear no evil

    For you are with me
    You will comfort me

    You are with me
    You will comfort me

    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    All the days of my life
    And I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever
    Forever
    Forever
    Forever

  • On a hill far away, stood an old rugged Cross
    The emblem of suff’ring and shame
    And I love that old Cross where the dearest and best
    For a world of lost sinners was slain.

    So I’ll cherish the old rugged Cross
    Till my trophies at last I lay down
    I will cling to the old rugged Cross
    And exchange it some day for a crown.

    Oh, that old rugged Cross so despised by the world
    Has a wondrous attraction for me
    For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above
    To bear it to dark Calvary.

    So I’ll cherish the old rugged Cross
    Till my trophies at last I lay down
    I will cling to the old rugged Cross
    And exchange it some day for a crown.

    In the old rugged Cross, stain’d with blood so divine
    A wondrous beauty I see
    For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above
    To pardon and sanctify me.

    So I’ll cherish the old rugged Cross
    Till my trophies at last I lay down
    I will cling to the old rugged Cross
    And exchange it some day for a crown.

    To the old rugged Cross, I will ever be true
    Its shame and reproach gladly bear
    Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away
    Where his glory forever I’ll share.

    So I’ll cherish the old rugged Cross
    Till my trophies at last I lay down
    I will cling to the old rugged Cross
    And exchange it some day for a crown.

  • Guide me, O thou great redeemer,
    Pilgrim through this barren land;
    I am weak, but thou art mighty,
    Hold me with thy powerful hand;
    Bread of heaven, bread of heaven
    Feed me till I want no more;
    Feed me till I want no more.

    Open now the crystal fountain
    Whence the healing stream doth flow;
    Let the fire and cloudy pillar
    Lead me all my journey through:
    Strong deliverer, strong deliverer;
    Be thou still my strength and shield;
    Be thou still my strength and shield.

    When I tread the verge of Jordan,
    Bid my anxious fears subside;
    Death of death, and hell’s destruction
    Land me safe on Canaan’s side:
    Songs of praises, songs of praises,
    I will ever give to thee;
    I will ever give to thee.

  • I, the Lord of sea and sky,
    I have heard my people cry.
    All who dwell in dark and sin
    My hand will save.

    I who made the stars of night,
    I will make their darkness bright.
    Who will bear my light to them?
    Whom shall I send?

    Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
    I have heard you calling in the night.
    I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
    I will hold your people in my heart.

    I, the Lord of snow and rain,
    I have borne my people’s pain.
    I have wept for love of them.
    They turn away.

    I will break their hearts of stone,
    Give them hearts for love alone.
    I will speak my word to them.
    Whom shall I send?

    Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
    I have heard you calling in the night.
    I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
    I will hold your people in my heart.

    I, the Lord of wind and flame,
    I will tend the poor and lame.
    I will set a feast for them.
    My hand will save.

    Finest bread I will provide
    Till their hearts be satisfied.
    I will give my life to them.
    Whom shall I send?

    Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
    I have heard you calling in the night.
    I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
    I will hold your people in my heart.

If you have a suggestion for a hymn which you think others might like, we’d love to hear it. You can use our contact form to send us message.

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