{"id":122639,"date":"2021-08-24T22:09:42","date_gmt":"2021-08-25T02:09:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/?p=122639"},"modified":"2026-05-21T08:30:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T12:30:56","slug":"music-for-funerals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/music-for-funerals\/","title":{"rendered":"Music for Funerals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Download our curated set of music for funerals and visitations. Choose what you want, or buy the entire set with a 10% discount. (Scroll down for discount!)<\/h3>\n

Funeral services and visitations are always emotional events. When you receive a call for a performance like this, often the event is within a few days. This playlist will help prepare you in advance. It is our job as musicians to do our best to ease the room by playing comforting and peaceful music. This playlist includes some of the most often requested funeral music, as well as soothing hymns, comforting classical pieces, and a few reflective works.<\/span><\/p>\n

Titles marked with an * are playable on lever harp.<\/p>\n

<\/b>Most Requested Funeral Music<\/span><\/b><\/h3><\/div>\n\t\n \n
\n\n \n\t
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Amazing\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tBrook Boddie\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Amazing Grace<\/a><\/p>

Rated 5.00<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\n\t$<\/span>6.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Ave\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tStephanie Bennett\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Ave Maria (Bach, Solo)<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Ave\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tRhett Barnwell\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Ave Maria<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Hallelujah\"\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\tThis product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tMichelle Whitson Stone\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Hallelujah<\/a><\/p>

Rated 5.00<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\n\t$<\/span>12.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Danny\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tAilie Robertson\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Danny Boy<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

*Amazing Grace<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Brook Boddie<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Whenever you think of a funeral, you think of the hymn Amazing Grace. What I love about this version is that is has different harmonies and accompaniment than you usually hear. The melody also has gentle celtic flourishes during the second verse, which is refreshing. For a more traditional option, see <\/span>Joy Slavens\u2019 arrangement<\/b>.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Ave Maria<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Stephanie Bennett<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Ave Maria is always appropriate for funerals\u2014in fact, it\u2019s probably one of the most popular pieces to be requested for funeral services, so if you don\u2019t have this in your gig book yet, you definitely want to! This Bach\/Gounod version is very true to any version you may have heard before\u2014the melody soars over steady arpeggios. If you\u2019re not keen on the Ave Maria melody, you can always play Bach\u2019s Prelude in C, which moves through the chord arpeggios without the melody. I suggest Floraleda Sacchi\u2019s version.<\/a><\/strong> It\u2019s $7.99, and you get two other Bach arrangements with it!<\/span><\/p>\n

*Ave Maria<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Rhett Barnwell<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

There are many versions of Ave Maria out there. Perhaps the more popular one to get requested for funerals it the Franz Schubert version. This arrangement is a simplified version of his beloved rendition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*Hallelujah<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Michelle Whitson Stone<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This lovely song by the late Leonard Cohen is actually one of the most popular secular songs to be requested for a funeral. Michelle\u2019s arrangement is perfectly delicate and conveys so much emotion. She also offers the arrangement in two levels: intermediate and advanced.<\/span><\/p>\n

*Danny Boy<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Ailie Robertson<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

I absolutely love this setting of the traditional Irish tune “Danny Boy.” Robertson’s version is absolutely stunning with lush harmonies, arpeggios, and rolled chords.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/b>Soothing Hymn Arrangements<\/span><\/b><\/h3><\/div>\n\t\n \n
\n\n \n\t
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"A\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tRhett Barnwell\t\t<\/p>\n\t

A Serenade for the Soul<\/a><\/p>

Rated 5.00<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\n\t$<\/span>20.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"How\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tRhett Barnwell\t\t<\/p>\n\t

How Great Thou Art<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Softly\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tRhett Barnwell\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>6.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

Rhett Barnwell’s company Seraphim Music is a wonderful source for sacred, healing and meditative music. Here are a few of my favorite products arranged by Barnwell:<\/span><\/p>\n

*A Serenade for the Soul<\/a><\/h3>\n

Rhett Barnwell<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This collection comes in handy for many occasions; one of those being funerals and visitations. It is a wealth of beautifully arranged hymns, classical pieces, and delicate original compositions. My personal favorites are “Blessed Assurance,” “It Is Well with My Soul” and “Angel\u2019s Hymn.”<\/span><\/p>\n

*How Great Thou Art<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Rhett Barnwell<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This is one of my favorite hymn arrangements ever. This hymn is requested for all sorts of occasions, as it is one of the most popular hymns out there. The phrasing and melodic lines are contemplative in all the right ways and the left-hand arpeggios sound so beautiful. I have to agree with Rhett\u2019s statement that \u201cit is a must-have piece for religious and memorial services.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

*Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Rhett Barnwell<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

No matter what your playing level is, you can’t go wrong with learning this classic hymn. This collection includes both a beginner version and an advanced beginner version, so you can keep building your skills as you continue to learn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/b>Comforting classical pieces<\/span><\/b><\/h3><\/div>\n\t\n \n
\n\n \n\t
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Largo\"\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tMeinir Heulyn\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Largo<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"To\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tMeinir Heulyn\t\t<\/p>\n\t

To a Wild Rose<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"On\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\tThis product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tMeinir Heulyn\t\t<\/p>\n\t

On Wings of Song<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

Classical music is always requested, well received, and sounds lovely at funeral occasions. Here are three delicate, peaceful, and well-known classical melodies arranged by Meinir Heulyn:<\/span><\/p>\n

*Largo<\/a><\/h3>\n

To A Wild Rose<\/a><\/h3>\n

*On Wings of Song<\/a><\/h3>\n

<\/b>Reflective Solos<\/span><\/b><\/h3><\/div>\n\t\n \n
\n\n \n\t
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Fate\"\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tMeg Robinson\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Fate<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>5.50<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Upon\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tBrook Boddie\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Upon the Willows<\/a><\/p>

Rated 5.00<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Il\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tMarianne Gubri\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Il Poeta<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Sweetest\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tJodi Ann Tolman\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Sweetest Dreams<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

*Fate<\/a><\/h3>\n

Meg Robinson<\/i><\/p>\n

This is a really beautiful, contemplative piece. It would make for a really lovely interlude or prayer time solo during a funeral service.<\/span><\/p>\n

*Upon the Willows<\/a><\/h3>\n

Brook Boddie<\/em><\/p>\n

I consider this go-to piece in my gig book for funerals and visitations. It is both relaxing and hauntingly beautiful.<\/p>\n

Il Poeta<\/a><\/h3>\n

Marianne Gubri<\/em><\/p>\n

This sweet, arpeggio-filled melody is very easy to get lost in. It is reflective and hopeful in nature and would be a lovely addition to service prelude music or visitation music.<\/span><\/p>\n

*Sweetest Dreams<\/a><\/h3>\n

Jodi Ann Tolman<\/em><\/p>\n

As its name suggests, this piece is reflective, peaceful, and has a lovely music box-like melody. I think it would be perfect for communion during a funeral service, or as a reflective solo during the service.<\/p>\n

Purchase this entire set and get 10% off the total!<\/h3>\n

Choose all the products listed here and add them to your cart. (Be sure to choose a version where indicated.) Discount will be reflected in your cart.<\/p>\n

<\/div>
Image<\/th>Name<\/th>Price<\/th>Buy<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
\"A<\/a><\/div><\/td>
A Serenade for the Soul<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>20.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Amazing<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Amazing Grace<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>6.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Ave<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Ave Maria<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Ave<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Ave Maria (Bach, Duo or Trio)<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>11.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Danny<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Danny Boy<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Fate\"<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Fate<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>5.50<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Hallelujah\"<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Hallelujah<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>12.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
<\/div> <\/td>
\"How<\/a><\/div><\/td>
How Great Thou Art<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Il<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Il Poeta<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Largo\"<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Largo<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"On<\/a><\/div><\/td>
On Wings of Song<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
<\/div> <\/td>
\"Softly<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>6.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Sweetest<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Sweetest Dreams<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"To<\/a><\/div><\/td>
To a Wild Rose<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Upon<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Upon the Willows<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>