Best Catholic Funeral Hymns

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
was blind but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The world shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun refuse to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
than when we’d first begun.

John Newton, 1779

You shall cross the barren desert,
But you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety,
Though you do not know the way. 

You shall speak your words in foreign lands,
And all will understand,
You shall see the face of God and live. 

Be not afraid,
I go before you always,
Come follow Me,
And I shall give you rest.

If you pass through raging waters
In the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amidst the burning flames,
You shall not be harmed. 

If you stand before the pow’r of hell
And death is at your side,
Know that I am with you, through it all 

Be not afraid,
I go before you always,
Come follow Me,
And I shall give you rest. 

Blessed are your poor,
For the Kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn,
For one day you shall laugh. 

And if wicked men insult and hate you, all because of Me,
Blessed, blessed are you! 

Be not afraid,
I go before you always,
Come follow Me,
And I shall give you rest. 

Bob Dufford, 1975 (How it was written)

I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save
I who made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart

I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide
‘Til their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart
I will hold Your people in my heart

Dan Schutte, 1981

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
Who abide in His shadow for life
Say to the Lord, “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!”

And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand

The snare of the fowler will never capture you
And famine will bring you no fear
Under His wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield

And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand

You need not fear the terror of the night
Nor the arrow that flies by day
Though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come

And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand

For to His angels He’s given a command
To guard you in all of your ways
Upon their hands they will bear you up
Lest you dash your foot against a stone

And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand

And hold you, hold you in the palm of His hand

Michael Joncas, 1979

Refrain:

My Shepherd is the Lord. Nothing indeed shall I want.

1. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
   Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
   Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. [Refrain]
2. He guides me along the right path, he is true to his name.
   If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear
   You are there with Your crook and Your staff; with these You give me comfort. [Refrain]
3. You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.
   My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. [Refrain]
4. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.
   In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever. [Refrain]

Arranged by: Joseph Gelineau

Refrain:

Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.

1. God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want,
   I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love,
   I walk by the quiet waters of peace. (R)
2. Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul,
   you lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth,
   my spirit shall sing the music of your name. (R)
3. Though I should wander the valley of death,
   I fear no evil, for you are at my side,
   your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope. (R)
4. You have set me a banquet of love
   in the face of hatred,
   crowning me with love beyond my power to hold. (R)
5. Surely your kindness and mercy
   follow me all the days of my life;
   I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore. (R)

Arranged by: Marty Haugen

1. The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
   he makes me down to lie
   in pastures green; he leadeth me
   the quiet waters by.
2. My soul he doth restore again,
   and me to walk doth make
   within the paths of righteousness,
   e’en for his own name’s sake.
3. Yea, though I walk through death’s dark vale,
   yet will I fear none ill,
   for thou art with me; and thy rod
   and staff me comfort still.
4. My table thou hast furnished
   in presence of my foes;
   my head thou dost with oil anoint,
   and my cup overflows.
5. Goodness and mercy all my life
   shall surely follow me;
   and in God’s house forevermore
   my dwelling place shall be.

Various Arrangements

Refrain:

To you, O Lord, I lift my soul, to you, I lift my soul.

1. Lord, make me know your ways, teach me your paths
   and keep me in the way of your truth, for you are God, my Savior.
2. For the Lord is good and righteous, revealing the way to those who wander,
   gently leading the poor and the humble.
3. To the ones who seek the Lord, who look to God’s word, who live God’s love,
   God will always be near, and will show them mercy.

Arranged by: Marty Haugen

Refrain (R):

My soul is thirsting for the Lord: when shall I see God face to face?

1. As a deer longs for flowing streams,
   so my soul longs for you, O God
2. My soul thirsts for God,
   for the living God. (repeat phrases c and d)
   When shall I come and behold
   the face of God? (R)
3. My tears have been my food
   [both] day and night,
   while people say to me continually,
   “Where is your God?” (R)
4. These things I remember,
   as I pour out my soul:
   how I went with the throng,
   nd led them in procession
   to the house of God, (repeat phrases c and d)
   with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,
   a multitude keeping festival. (R)
5. Why are you cast down, O my soul,
   and why are you disquieted within?
   Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God. (R)
   6.My soul is cast down within me;
   therefore I remember You
   from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
   [and] from Mount Mizar.
6. Deep calls to deep
   at the thunder of Your cataracts;
   all Your waves and Your billows
   have gone over me. (R)
7. By day the Lord commands His steadfast love,
   and at night His song is with me, (omit phrase c)
   a prayer to the God of my life. (R)
8. I say to God, my rock,
   “Why have You forgotten me?
   Why must I walk about mournfully
   because the enemy oppresses me?” (R)
9. As with a deadly wound in my body,
   my adversaries taunt me,
   while they say to me continually,
   “Where is your God?” (R)
10. Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you disquieted within me?
    Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him,
    my help and my God. (R)

Arranged by: Joseph Gelineau

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.

Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console.
To be understood as to understand.
To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving of ourselves that we receive,
and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.

Prayer of St. Francis By Dr. Martin Neary LVO, Michael Ward, and Sebastian Temple

Blest are the pure in heart,
For they shall see our God;
The secret of the Lord is theirs;
Their soul is Christ’s abode.

The Lord, who left the heavens
Our life and peace to bring,
To dwell in lowliness with men
Their pattern and their king.

Still to the lowly soul
He doth Himself impart;
And for His cradle and His throne
Chooseth the pure in heart.

Lord, we Thy presence seek;
May ours this blessing be;
Give us a pure and lowly heart,
A temple meet for Thee.

By John Keble, 1819

Eye has not seen,
ear has not heard
what God has ready
for those who love him;
Spirit of love, come,
give us the mind of Jesus,
teach us the wisdom of God.

When pain and sorrow weigh us down,
be near to us, O Lord,
forgive the weakness of our faith,
and bear us up within your peaceful word.

Eye has not seen,
ear has not heard
what God has ready
for those who love him;
Spirit of love, come,
give us the mind of Jesus,
teach us the wisdom of God.

Our lives are but a single breath,
we flower and we fade,
yet all our days are in your hands,
so we return in love what love has made.

Eye has not seen,
ear has not heard
what God has ready
for those who love him;
Spirit of love, come,
give us the mind of Jesus,
teach us the wisdom of God.

To those who see with eyes of faith,
the Lord is ever near,
reflected in the faces
of all the poor and lowly of the world.

Eye has not seen,
ear has not heard
what God has ready
for those who love him;
Spirit of love, come,
give us the mind of Jesus,
teach us the wisdom of God.

We sing a mystery from the past
in halls where saints have trod,
yet ever new the music rings
to Jesus, Living Song of God.

Eye has not seen,
ear has not heard
what God has ready
for those who love him;
Spirit of love, come,
give us the mind of Jesus,
teach us the wisdom of God.

By Marty Haugen

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Chorus:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

By Stuart K. Hine

Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead.
He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.
If we die with the Lord, we shall live with the Lord.
If we endure with the Lord, we shall reign with the Lord.

Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead.
He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.
In him all our sorrow, in him all our joy.
In him hope of glory, in him all our love.

Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead.
He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.
In him our redemption, in him all our grace.
In him our salvation, in him all our peace.

By Lucien Deiss

Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
You alone are my hope.

When my foes surround me, set me high above their reach.
Hear me when I call your name.

Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
You alone are my hope.

As a mother gathers her young beneath her care,
Gather me into your arms.

Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
You alone are my hope.

Though I walk in darkness, through the needle’s eye of death,
You will never leave my side.

Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
You alone are my hope.

By Bob Hurd

I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me shall not hunger;
he who believes in me shall not thirst.
No one can come to me
unless the Father draw him.

And I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up on the last day.

The bread that I will give
is my flesh for the life of the world,
and he who eats of this bread,
he shall live for ever,
he shall live for ever.

And I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up on the last day.

Unless you eat
of the flesh of the Son of Man
and drink of his blood,
and drink of his blood,
you shall not have life within you.

And I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up on the last day.

I am the resurrection,
I am the life.
He who believes in me
even if he die,
he shall live for ever.

And I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up on the last day.

Yes, Lord, I believe
that you are the Christ,
the Son of God,
who has come
into the world.

And I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up on the last day.

By Suzanne Toolan

Eat this bread, drink this cup,
come to me and never be hungry.

Eat this bread, drink this cup,
trust in me and you will not thirst.

I am the bread of life,
the true bread sent from the Father.

By Robert J. Batastini

You satisfy the hungry heart
With gift of finest wheat
Come give to us O Saving Lord
The bread of life to eat.

As when the shepherd calls his sheep
They know and heed his voice
So when You call your family Lord
We follow and rejoice.

You satisfy the hungry heart
With gift of finest wheat
Come give to us O Saving Lord
The bread of life to eat.

With joyful lips we sing to You
Our praise and gratitude
That You should count us worthy Lord
To share this heavenly food.

You satisfy the hungry heart
With gift of finest wheat
Come give to us O Saving Lord
The bread of life to eat.

The mystery of Your presence Lord
No mortal tongue can tell
Whom all the world cannot contain
Comes in our hearts to dwell.

You satisfy the hungry heart
With gift of finest wheat
Come give to us O Saving Lord
The bread of life to eat.

You give Yourself to us o Lord
Then selfless let us be
To serve each other in Your name
In truth and charity.

You satisfy the hungry heart
With gift of finest wheat
Come give to us O Saving Lord
The bread of life to eat.

By Robert E. Kreutz

Like a shepherd he feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arms,
holding them carefully close to his heart, leading them home.
Say to the cities of Judah: Prepare the way of the Lord.
Go to the mountain top, lift your voice; Jerusalem, here is your God.

Like a shepherd he feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arms,
holding them carefully close to his heart, leading them home.
I myself will shepherd them, for others have led them astray.
The lost I will rescue and heal their wounds and pasture them, giving them rest.

Like a shepherd he feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arms,
holding them carefully close to his heart, leading them home.
Come unto me if you are heavily burdened,
and take my yoke upon your shoulders, I will give you rest.

By Bob Dufford

Refrain:
Lord, Jesus Christ, gather us together.
Make us one bread, one body in your love.

Verse 1:
Gather your people, who long to be one,
one with you, O Lord, in truth and love.

Verse 2
We do proclaim you the Savior of the all,
Lord of all the earth and sea and sky.

Verse 3:
Forgive our failings, create us anew.
Speak y our words of peace into our hearts.

Verse 4:
Into your hands, Lord, we place all our cares,
trusting in your love which never fails.

Verse 5:
Within your temple your praises we sing.
Glorious is your name o’er all the earth.

By Owen Alsott, 1947 (Loyola University Chicago)

Sing with all the saints in glory, 
Sing the resurrection song! 
Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, 
To the former days belong. 
All around the clouds are breaking, 
Soon the storms of time shall cease; 
In God’s likeness we awaken, 
Knowing everlasting peace.

O what glory, far exceeding 
All that eye has yet perceived! 
Holiest hearts, for ages pleading, 
Never that full joy conceived. 
God has promised, Christ prepares it, 
There on high our welcome waits.
Ev’ry humble spirit shares it; 
Christ has passed the eternal gates.

Life eternal! heav’n rejoices: 
Jesus lives who once was dead. 
Shout with joy, O deathless voices! 
Child of God, lift up your head! 
Patriarchs from distant ages,
Saints all longing for their heav’n,
Prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages,
All await the glory giv’n.

Life eternal! O what wonders 
Crowd on faith; what joy unknown, 
When, amid earth’s closing thunders, 
Saints shall stand before the throne! 
Oh, to enter that bright portal, 
See that glowing firmament, 
Know, with you, O God immortal, 
Jesus Christ whom you have sent!

By William J. Irons, 1873

You shall cross the barren desert,
but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety
though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands
and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live.

Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.

If you pass through raging waters in the sea,
you shall not drown.
If you walk amid the burning flames,
you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow’r of hell
and death is at your side,
know that I am with you through it all.

Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.

Blessed are your poor,
for the kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn,
for one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked tongues insult and hate you
all because of me,
blessed, blessed are you!

Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.

By Bob Dufford

Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep!
A new day is dawning for all those who weep.
The people in darkness have seen a great light.
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.

Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
has turned the night into day!

We are sons of the morning; we are daughters of day.
The One who has loved us has brightened our way.
The Lord of all kindness has called us to be
a light for his people to set their hearts free.

Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
has turned the night into day!

God is light; in him there is no darkness.
Let us walk in his light, his children, one and all.
O comfort my people; make gentle your words.
Proclaim to my city the day of her birth.

Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
has turned the night into day!

O city of gladness, now lift up your voice.
Proclaim the good tidings that all may rejoice!

Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
has turned the night into day!

By Dan Schutte

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
and win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine,
we feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
soon, soon to faithful warrior cometh rest;
sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

By William Walsham How, 1864

Latin lyrics:
In paradisum deducant te Angeli;
In tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres,
Et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem.
Chorus angelorum te suscipiat,
Et cum Lazaro quondam paupere,
Aeternam habeas requiem.

English translation:
May the angels lead you into paradise;
May the martyrs receive you at your arrival,
And lead you to the holy city Jerusalem.
May the choirs of angels receive you,
And with Lazarus, once poor,
May you have eternal rest.

Author unknown, Tradition In Action

Sing a new song unto the Lord;
let your song be sung from mountains high.
Sing a new song unto the Lord,
singing alleluia.

Shout with gladness, dance for joy.
O come before the Lord.
And play for him on glad tambourines,
and let your trumpet sound.

Sing a new song unto the Lord;
let your song be sung from mountains high.
Sing a new song unto the Lord,
singing alleluia.

Rise, O children, from your sleep;
your Saviour now has come.
He has turned your sorrow to joy,
and filled your soul with song.

Sing a new song unto the Lord;
let your song be sung from mountains high.
Sing a new song unto the Lord,
singing alleluia.

Glad my soul for I have seen
the glory of the Lord.
The trumpet sounds; the dead shall be raised.
I know my Saviour lives.

By Dan Schutte