Resources · Music for Prayer & Remembrance
Catholic Funeral Hymns & Music
Music for prayer, comfort, remembrance and Christian hope
Choosing music for the funeral of someone we love can be both deeply personal and difficult. Hymns can give voice to our sorrow, express our faith when words are hard to find, and remind us of the Christian hope that death is not the end.
Emmaus Music has brought together this collection of Catholic and Christian funeral hymns to accompany families through prayer, remembrance and the celebration of a life entrusted to God. Whether you are preparing a funeral or simply remembering someone you love, we hope this music offers comfort, peace and hope.
Sacred Music
Catholic Funeral Hymns
Listen to a collection of much-loved hymns for Catholic funerals, prayer and remembrance, including May the Choirs of Angels, On Eagle's Wings, The Lord's My Shepherd, I Am the Bread of Life, Abide With Me, Amazing Grace and more.
Choosing Music for a Catholic Funeral
Music has an important place in the Catholic funeral rites. It helps the gathered community to pray, gives expression to Christian faith and hope, and accompanies some of the most significant moments of the funeral liturgy.
Every funeral is different, and parishes may have their own musical repertoire and local arrangements. If you are preparing a Catholic funeral, your priest, parish musician or funeral coordinator will be able to help you choose music appropriate to the different parts of the liturgy.
Emmaus Music offers these recordings as a resource for listening, prayer and exploring possible choices. Final music selections for a Catholic funeral should always be discussed with the parish where the funeral will be celebrated.
Hymns for Prayer and Remembrance
Popular Hymns for Prayer and Remembrance
- On Eagle's WingsA hymn of trust in God's protection and care.
- The Lord's My ShepherdThe words of Psalm 23 offer an enduring expression of confidence in God's presence.
- I Am the Bread of LifeCentred on Christ and the Christian hope of resurrection and eternal life.
- Abide With MeA traditional hymn asking for God's presence as darkness falls and earthly life passes.
- Do Not Be AfraidWords of reassurance and trust in God's abiding presence.
- Amazing GraceA much-loved traditional hymn of grace, hope and redemption.
- I Watch the SunriseA gentle hymn of hope and the assurance of God's presence.
- Unless a Grain of WheatReflecting the Christian mystery of death giving way to new life.
The Final Commendation
The Song of Farewell
May the Choirs of Angels
One of the most moving moments in the Catholic funeral rites is the Final Commendation, when the Christian community entrusts the person who has died to God. The Song of Farewell accompanies this prayerful moment of leave-taking and Christian hope.
May the Choirs of Angels has become one of the most frequently heard recordings on Emmaus Music. We hope it can help families and communities pray at this tender moment of farewell.
Scripture & Song
Psalms of Comfort and Hope
The Psalms have a special place in Catholic funeral prayer. They give voice to sorrow, trust, longing and hope, and allow us to pray with words that have accompanied God's people for generations.
- The Lord's My ShepherdPsalm 23
- On Eagle's WingsInspired by Psalm 91
- O Lord, I Know You Are NearPsalm 139
- The Cry of the PoorPsalm 34
Music for the Liturgy
Music for Communion
Where the funeral is celebrated within Mass, suitable Eucharistic music may form part of the celebration. Choices should always be made in consultation with the parish. The following recordings from Emmaus Music may be helpful for listening and reflection.
- I Am the Bread of Life
- Soul of My Saviour
- O Bread of Heaven
- One Bread, One Body
- Eat This Bread
Not all of these recordings will be appropriate in every parish or circumstance. Please discuss music choices with your priest or parish musician.
Prayer in Bereavement
Grief does not end when the funeral is over. Music and prayer can continue to accompany us in the days, months and years that follow. If you are remembering someone you love, we hope Emmaus Music and Emmaus Prayers can provide a quiet place for prayer, reflection and hope.
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