The Church Pianist: Playing for Funerals
Funerals are not easy for any of us. Death has visited our church family twice in the last two weeks…both very unexpected. I’m just thankful that both men knew the Lord.
I’ll just share some thoughts with you on playing for funerals.
Think about the mood of music needed for this occasion. For me…I want to play hymns that soothe the broken hearts of many people.
Varying the speed of hymns adds a nice touch. I try not to play too many slow hymns in a row… to avoid a sense of despair. In my mind, I’m trying to encourage the family that is so overwhelmed with sorrow. I want to remind them that God cares… and their loved one is in heaven (if that loved one had asked Jesus into their heart).
Here’s a list of hymns I would play before the funeral starts. Maybe this will help those of you who have a hard time deciding what to play for a funeral.
Check out the Funeral Hymn Collection also available in our music store.
Blessed Assurance
Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know
He Hideth My Soul
God Leads Us Along
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
Simply Trusting
Wonderful Peace
Draw Me Nearer
Near to the Heart of God
Blessed Quietness
There’s Just Something About That Name
Zion’s Hill
Beulah Land
How_Beautiful_Heaven_Must_Be page one
How Beautiful Heaven Must Be page two
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
*Click on the red underlined hymns above for a free piano solo arrangement and blue underlined hymns for arrangement from the online church pianist music store.
Ever notice how it’s the old hymns of faith that soothe our hearts during such times of need? I thank the Lord for such a strong heritage of music.
Playing for a funeral is just another way for the church pianist to minister to the hearts of his or her church family.
Tags: Funerals, hymns, playing for a funeral
This is a blessing. My daughters, 15 and 12, have had to do funeral music ministry several times now, and it is so helpful to have this list. You are so right about too many slow songs in a row giving a spirit of despair. And yet the really light-hearted ones seem out of place. These are nice, uplifting tunes.
Thank you for this list. Also, thank you for always providing free copies of your wonderful arrangements!
Thank you for sharing free copies of your beautiful arrangements.
Please print your arrangement of Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know, which I listened to you play. It is listed under playing for funeral songs.
Your playing leads one to worship.
I appreciate your interest in “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know”.
Unfortunately,this particular arrangment is not availabe in print at this time.
I do plan to publish this piano arrangement either through my music store or through Soundforth sometime in the near future.
Thanks for your kind words.
For your interest, here’s a list of hymns that I’ve used for funerals for many years. Many of them you have on your own list.
Abide With Me
Amazing Grace
Come, Ye Disconsolate
Does Jesus Care?
Face to Face
God Will Take Care of You
It Is Well With My Soul
My Faith Looks Up to Thee
My Jesus, I Love Thee
My Saviour First of All
Nearer, My God, to Thee
O That Will Be Glory
Precious Lord Take My Hand
Rock of Ages
Safe in the Arms of Jesus
Saved By Grace
Sweet By and By
Tell It to Jesus
The Sands of Time Are Sinking
The Lord’s My Shepherd
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
When We See Christ
love this site, i love the free sheet music,would it be possible to do a tutorial on TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS.could you do a free arrangement of TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS for advanced piano.
just came across this site yesterday.
thanks you so much.
paul
n.ireland
Thanks Paul. Wish I had time to produce more free advanced piano arrangements but they take ALOT of time. That’s why the majority of my free arrangements are intermediate or less.
Appreciate the comments though and will consider a tutorial on “Tis So Sweet”. Thanks for your visits!