Planning a Christian funeral or memorial service for a loved one isn't an easy task. The part of you that rejoices over their homecoming in Heaven often wars with the part of you that wanted your loved one to stay here, with you, for many more years to come.
Music, being a large part of life, also plays a very important part in death. The music you select for the funeral service or memorial will often offer comfort to those attending the service for years to come. The strains of the music they heard as they said goodbye will bring back the memories of their loved ones' life and passing.
1. Cry Out To Jesus - Third Day
Essential Records
- To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye
This song was written as a natural progression of the band members "growing up," part of which meant seeing people they loved lose people in their lives. Mac Powell said, "My hope is that you are able to also connect personally to each verse through your own experiences. Not only do we all know these people, but we are these people."
(Buy Direct)Cry Out To Jesus - Sheet Music (Digital Download)
2. Comforter - CeCe Winans
Sparrow Records
- To the grieving family who weeps for loved ones gone.
The pain of separation consumes another home.
On the waves of sorrow, You walk with perfect ease,
comforter is who the whole world needs.
3. He's Walking Her Home - Mark Schultz
Word Records
- He walked her through the best days of her life
Sixty years together and he never left her side
A nursing home
At eighty-five
And the doctor said it could be her last night
And the nurse said Oh
Should we tell him now
Or should he wait until the morning to find out
But when they checked her room that night
He was laying by her side
4. Homesick - MercyMe
INO
- I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
Bart Millard lost eight people in his life, including his 20-year-old brother-in-law, in a single month. He told Christianity Today that the song "...talks about getting the raw end of the deal when your loved one passes on and you stay here with the pain of not having them. Of course, having that person as an investment in heaven really makes you homesick all the more."
5. With Hope - Steven Curtis Chapman
Sparrow Records
- This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but ...
I Thess. 4:13-14 and Heb. 6:9, 10:23 were the inspiration behind this beautiful song.
(Buy Direct)Steven Curtis Chapman - Steven Curtis Chapman - Speechless - Music Book
6. No More Pain - Point of Grace
Word
- Where there will be no more pain
No more sorrow
No more waiting
For illusive tomorrows
There will be no more pain
No more dying
No more striving or strain
No more pain
7. Dancing With The Angels - Monk and Neagle
Courtesy of: Provident Distribution
- You're dancing with the angels
Walking in new life
You're dancing with the angels
Heaven fills your eyes
Now that you're dancing with the angels
Trent Monk first began writing this song after the passing of his great-grandmother. Michael Neagle added to it after the death of his father a few years later. Trent said, "This song expresses the loss that everyone of us will face at some point in our lives, but it also celebrates the promise we have as believers that we will see our loved ones again someday."
8. I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin
EMI
- And I Will Rise when he calls my name
No more sorrow, No more pain
I Will Rise, on Eagle's wings
Before my God fall on my kness, and rise
I Will Rise
"I Will Rise" is a wonderful, caring ballad that reminds us that the grave is overwhelmed by the love of Christ. Piano and strings give this song an almost haunting feel that helps turn those moments of sorrow into something bearable.
9. I Am Going - Randy Travis
Warner Bros.
- Don't be crying thoses bitter tears
Don't be crying cause I'm not here
I'll be happy for the first time in years
So don't be crying those bitter tears
10. I Can Only Imagine - MercyMe
INO
- Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
At the young age of 18 Bart Millard lost his dad to cancer. When people told him that his dad would choose heaven over coming back, the 18-year-old found himself repeating the phrase "I can only imagine." Years later, while writing music, he found a notebook with the phrase and wrote the hit song.
(Buy Direct)I Can Only Imagine - Sheet Music (Digital Download)
