Christian & Hymn Songs for a Memorial Service
Traditional hymns, Catholic funeral mass music, and contemporary Christian songs — organized so you can find the right one for the service.
Faith-based services usually draw from a smaller, more settled list than secular ones — congregations know these hymns, and that familiarity is often the point. Below is a working list split between traditional hymns, Catholic funeral mass music, and contemporary Christian songs.
Traditional hymns
- “Amazing Grace”
- “It Is Well with My Soul”
- “How Great Thou Art”
- “In the Garden”
- “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
- “Blessed Assurance”
- “Nearer, My God, to Thee”
Catholic funeral mass hymns
- “On Eagle’s Wings”
- “Be Not Afraid”
- “Ave Maria”
- “How Great Thou Art”
- “Panis Angelicus”
Contemporary Christian
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| “I Can Only Imagine” | MercyMe |
| “Blessings” | Laura Story |
| “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” | Matt Redman |
| “Praise You in This Storm” | Casting Crowns |
Frequently asked questions
What’s a good opening hymn for a memorial service?
“Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art” are the two most commonly used opening hymns across Protestant and Catholic services alike — familiar enough that most attendees can sing along.
What music is played at a Catholic funeral mass?
Catholic funeral masses typically include “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Be Not Afraid,” and often “Ave Maria” during communion — check with the priest or music director, as some parishes restrict secular music during mass.
Hymns carry the weight of a shared faith — that’s exactly why families use them. But many services also include one piece that’s just about the person: their name, their walk with God, the specific way they lived it out.
A tribute song, written from their story of faith
Tell us about them and a professional songwriter will turn it into an original song — a personal counterpart to the hymns, ready for the service or the reception after.