Top Catholic Funeral Hymns and Songs for 2025 [Updated]

As we look ahead to 2025 Catholic funeral music continues to evolve. Blending timeless traditions with contemporary pieces. From classic hymns like Ave Maria to modern selections like Time to Say Goodbye. These pieces offer comfort and solace to those grieving the loss of a loved one.

Catholic funeral services often feature a range of sacred and uplifting music. Carefully chosen to reflect the life and faith of the deceased. Whether it’s the peaceful tones of On Eagles. Wings or the comforting melody of How Great Thou Art. The right music plays a crucial role in honoring and celebrating a loved one’s journey to eternal rest.

Why Music is Important in Catholic Funerals

Music plays a vital role in Catholic funerals as it helps express grief, offer comfort, and celebrate. The deceased’s life and faith. It uplifts the spirit, strengthens the sense of community, and provides. A profound connection to God’s promise of eternal life. Making it an essential part of the healing process during such a difficult time.

Top Catholic songs for funerals

We all had our own ideas about. The most popular songs for Catholic funerals and it’s no surprise that Schubert’s “Ave Maria” takes the top spot. However, the Irish Blessing “May the road rise to meet you” is also becoming quite popular. A new addition to the list is John Rutter, who has three songs in the top 15, and I have to say, I really enjoy his music!

What’s surprising is that despite my experience with many Catholic priests, they are often strict. The rules about what music is allowed in church, “Time to Say Goodbye” has made it to number 6 on the list!

Check with your priest

I always advise families to check with their priest about their music choices since the priest has the final say on what’s appropriate for his church. Many priests prefer to only allow religious music during the service.

However, the inclusion of “Time to Say Goodbye” on the list shows that some priests are more flexible when it comes to the music families choose for funerals. Typically, this song is sung as the recessional music which is after the Mass has concluded. At this point non-religious music is often allowed, and “Time to Say Goodbye” is a beautiful uplifting tune that makes for a memorable exit from the church.

Top 10 Catholic funeral solos (or perhaps Top 15) from Singers for Funerals

1. Ave Maria (Schubert)
2. Pie Jesu (by Andrew Lloyd Webber)
3. The Lord is My Shepherd (Goodall)
4. Panis Angelicus
5. Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod version)
6. Time to Say Goodbye
7. I’ll Walk with God
8. Ave Verum Corpus
9. May the Road Rise to Meet You (Irish Blessing)
10. All Things Bright and Beautiful (by John Rutter)
11. Laudate Dominum (Mozart)
12. Sancte Deus (Nimrod by Elgar)
13. Our Lady of Knock
14. The Lord Bless You and Keep You (by John Rutter)
15. Pie Jesu (by John Rutter)

Hymns we all love to sing

When it comes to hymns, there’s quite a variety. Ranging from traditional classics like “Soul of My Savior” and “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” to more contemporary choices like “On Eagles’ Wings” and “Here I Am, Lord,” also known as “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky.” However, the hymn that stands out the most is Amazing Grace, written by the English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton (1725–1807).

Although Newton was raised Catholic, he leaned toward Protestant beliefs, and his mother was a devout Independent, not associated with the Anglican Church. This raises the question—could this be why Amazing Grace resonates with Catholics, or is it simply because the hymn is so well-known and beloved across different Christian denominations?

Opening Hymns

1. How Great Thou Art
2. Christ Be Beside Me
3. Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
4. Abide With Me
5. Morning Has Broken
6. Amazing Grace
7. Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
8. I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary
9. Hail Queen of Heaven
10. Faith of Our Fathers

These hymns set a reverent and reflective tone at the beginning of the funeral Mass, offering comfort and praise as the community gathers to honor the deceased.

Responsorial Psalm

1. Psalm 23 – The Lord is My Shepherd
2. Psalm 27 – The Lord is My Light
3. Psalm 32 – May Your Love Be Upon Us
4. Psalm 34 – The Lord Will Heal the Broken Heart
5. Psalm 41 – Like the Deer That Yearns for Running Streams
6. Psalm 63 – My Soul is Thirsting for You
7. Psalm 91 – Be With Me, Lord
8. Psalm 103 – The Lord is Kind and Merciful
9. Be Not Afraid
10. Here I Am, Lord

These Psalms are frequently chosen for their comforting and hopeful messages, offering a sense of peace and reassurance during the funeral Mass.

Offertory

1. Ag Criost an Siol
2. As I Kneel Before You
3. Gifts of Bread and Wine
4. In Bread We Bring You, Lord
5. Lord, Accept the Gifts We Offer
6. Take Our Bread, We Ask You
7. See Us, Lord, About Your Altar
8. When Creation Was Begun
9. Ave Maria (Schubert)
10. Ave Maria (Gounod)

These hymns are typically sung during the offertory procession, symbolizing the offering of the gifts of bread and wine, and reflecting the spiritual nature of the service.

Communion

1. Ave Verum
2. Be Still My Soul
3. Be Still for the Presence of the Lord
4. Come to Me
5. The Hiding Place (Liam Lawton)
6. I Am the Bread of Life
7. I Will Be the Vine
8. Listen
9. Like a Shepherd
10. Laudate Dominum (Mozart)
11. Panis Angelicus
12. Pie Jesu (Lloyd Webber)
13. Pie Jesu (Fauré)
14. Soul of My Saviour
15. Sweet Sacrament Divine

These hymns are often sung during Communion to reflect the spiritual nourishment provided by the Eucharist and to bring comfort and peace during the service.

Recessional

1. Going Home (Dvorak)
2. In Paradisum
3. Jesus, Remember Me
4. May Songs of the Angels Welcome You
5. Nearer My God to Thee
6. I’ll Walk with God
7. Queen of the May
8. Song of Farewell

These hymns are typically performed as the final piece of music at the funeral, offering a sense of closure and hope as the congregation bids farewell to the deceased and leaves the church.

The soloist’s favourite

1. This Is My Body
2. On Eagles’ Wings
3. May the Choirs of Angels
4. Go, Silent Friend (to the tune of Danny Boy)
5. I Watch the Sunrise
6. Ave Maria (Schubert)
7. Pie Jesu (Lloyd Webber)
8. The Lord is My Shepherd (Crimond)
9. How Great Thou Art
10. The Clouds Veil (Liam Lawton)

These pieces are often favorites for soloists due to their emotional depth, lyrical beauty, and ability to connect deeply with those mourning the loss of a loved one.

Top 20 Catholic funeral hymns from Singers for Funerals

1. Amazing Grace
2. The Lord is My Shepherd (Crimond)
3. I the Lord of Sea and Sky (Here I Am, Lord)
4. Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
5. How Great Thou Art
6. I Watch the Sunrise, Lighting the Sky
7. Abide With Me
8. Soul of My Saviour
9. May the Choirs of Angels Come to Greet You
10. This is My Body
11. As I Kneel Before You
12. Morning Has Broken
13. On Eagles’ Wings
14. The Old Rugged Cross
15. Go, Silent Friend
16. Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
17. Going Home
18. Lord of All Hopefulness
19. Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven
20. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Blaenwern)

These hymns reflect a mix of traditional, comforting, and uplifting music, often chosen to provide solace, hope, and peace during a Catholic funeral service.

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