Gospel and soul funeral music & bereavement songs for the soundtrack of your dearly departed loved ones life. Say farewell with graceful tunes. Whether you are searching for the right music to honour your mum, dad, family member or best friend. Which songs will personalise the service?

And can non-traditional music make a sad, serious and sombre occasion a reflective one. Playing uplifiting and modern black gospel songs helps celebrate a remarkable life. Music truly pays tribute to them in a lasting way. You say a dignified farewell. It fits into the stages of mourning, grief and the program order of service. Will it create a comforting, calming environment and is it a beneficial part of the bereavement process?

Imagine playing gospel music or hearing the sound of a powerful choir singing your deceased loved ones favourite hymn. You can share meaningful and moving songs to ease  someone bereaved. Incorporate pieces of appropriate gospel, blues and soul music for an offline or online funeral program order of service. So, I’ve collected some suitable song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues to fulfill your need for a unique celebration of life.

Funeral Music and Songs

“In loving memory of my beautiful friend – June” I mourn the loss of her, she was laid to rest during an intimate funeral ceremony.

• Musical Prelude / Words of Welcome

1. Abide With Me – LC Gospel Choir
2. Amazing Grace – Soweto Gospel Choir
3. Ave Maria – Beyonce
4. I Wanna Be Ready – Amos Machanic

• Introduction / Sermon

1. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Aretha Franklin
2. Caught Up – Shirley Caesar & Kirk Franklin
3. Don’t Cry – Kirk Franklin
4. Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham – traditional African American spiritual

• Prayers / Scripture Readings

1. A Change is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke
2. Down By The Riverside – Etta James
3. He’s Got The Whole World In His Hand – Mahalia Jackson
4. His Eye Is On The Sparrow – Sister Act

• Musical Selections/Hymns

1. I Believe I Can Fly – R. Kelly
2. I Speak Life – Donald Lawrence
3. Jericho – Sister Rosetta Tharpe
4. Total Praise – Richard Smallwood

• Formal Reading of Obituary

1. Jerusalem – Hubert Parry
2. Lean On Me – Bill Withers
3. More Than I Can Bear – Kirk Franklin
4. Revelation – Sunday Service Choir / Kanye West

• Eulogy/Life Tribute

1. Jesus Is On The Mainline – Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes
2. Old Landmark – James Brown
3. One Day I’ll Fly Away – Randy Crawford
4. Something About The Name Jesus – Kirk Franklin

• Brief Informal Tributes

1. People Get Ready – Five Blind Boys Of Alabama
2. Something Inside So Strong – Labri Saffri
3. Steal Away – Michelle Williams & Shirley Caesar
4. God Is – Sunday Service Choir / Kanye West

• Thank you and Acknowledgements

1. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – Fisk Jubilee Singers
2. Till We Meet Again – Kirk Franklin
3. The Lord Is My Shepherd – Whitney Houston
4. In the Sweet by and by – Joseph P Webster

• Viewing of Deceased

1. To My Fathers House – Edwin Hawkin Singers
2. You’ll Never Walk Alone – ABC Gospel Choir version
3. You Waited – Travis Greene

•  Gospel blues music – Closing/Benediction

1. You’ve Got To Move – Mississippi Fred McDowell
2. Don’t Forget To Remember – Donald Lawrence ft/Lalah Hathaway
3. Wade in The Water – Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens
4. When The Saints Go Marching In – Louis Armstrong

Funeral Music and Songs  – II

Sadness, disbelief and sorrow! Live music creates a comforting atmosphere at a planned memorial service. image credit Image Maarten Nauw

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