85+ Gospel Funeral Songs for a Homegoing Service

Gospel music was made for days like this. It can reflect the grief and the hope people experience at the same time. One minute the whole church is quiet and the next the choir has everyone on their feet.

If the person you lost sang in the choir, hummed hymns around the house or kept the gospel station on every Sunday morning, a gospel song is probably the most natural way to say goodbye. Even for families who aren’t regular churchgoers these songs have a way of saying what nobody else can.

So we have over 85 gospel funeral songs to look through. There are classic and contemporary ones, old hymns, spirituals and Southern gospel, plus songs for a mom, dad or grandparent and upbeat praise songs.

If you’d like to look at other styles as well our main list of funeral songs covers everything from hymns to pop.

Table of Contents

What Is a Homegoing Service?

In many Black churches a funeral is called a homegoing or homegoing celebration. The idea is that the person who died has gone home to be with God.

That doesn’t mean there’s no grief. There’s usually a lot of crying.

But the music moves between sorrow and praise and by the end of the service the mood is often one of celebration. Gospel songs are at the heart of that.

You don’t have to call your service a homegoing to borrow from that tradition.

The Most Popular Gospel Funeral Songs

Precious Lord, Take My Hand by Mahalia Jackson. Thomas A. Dorsey wrote it after his wife and newborn son died. Mahalia Jackson sang it at Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral.
Going Up Yonder by Tramaine Hawkins. Written by Walter Hawkins. Joyful and full of hope, and one of the best-loved homegoing songs.
I Won’t Complain by Rev. Paul Jones. A song of thanks for the good days and the hard ones. It means a lot to anyone who lived through struggle.
His Eye Is on the Sparrow by Mahalia Jackson. A gentle reminder that God is watching over even the smallest things.
I’ll Fly Away (traditional). Written by Albert E. Brumley. Sung slow or fast, it’s about leaving this world behind for something better.
Soon and Very Soon by Andraé Crouch. Short, simple and easy for everyone to join in.
Take Me to the King by Tamela Mann. Written by Kirk Franklin. For anyone who is tired and worn down.
Total Praise by Richard Smallwood. Slow and majestic, it builds to a big, beautiful amen.
It Is Well with My Soul (hymn). Horatio Spafford wrote the words after his four daughters died in a shipwreck. A choir version can lift the whole room.
I Need You to Survive by Hezekiah Walker. About how much we lean on each other. A lovely way to bring a grieving church family together.
Amazing Grace by Aretha Franklin. From her live gospel album, recorded in a Los Angeles church in 1972.
Never Would Have Made It by Marvin Sapp. For a family who knows God carried them through hard times.

Classic Gospel Funeral Songs

These are the songs a lot of us grew up hearing at church, at grandma’s house or on Sunday radio. Many of them have been sung at homegoings for generations.

Move On Up a Little Higher by Mahalia Jackson. One of her biggest hits. About climbing higher until you reach heaven.
How I Got Over by Mahalia Jackson. Written by Clara Ward. A song of thanks for getting through.
Peace Be Still by James Cleveland. Slow, powerful and calming.
I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired by James Cleveland. About not giving up, even when it’s hard.
Through It All by Andraé Crouch. Learning to trust God through the tears.
My Tribute (To God Be the Glory) by Andraé Crouch. A humble song of thanks that suits a life well lived.
The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power by Andraé Crouch
Oh Happy Day by The Edwin Hawkins Singers. A huge crossover hit in 1969. Joyful and well known.
Touch the Hem of His Garment by Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers. Sam Cooke wrote it before he moved into pop music.
Jesus Gave Me Water by The Soul Stirrers
Mary Don’t You Weep by The Swan Silvertones. A comforting old song about not crying, because hope isn’t lost.
Uncloudy Day by The Staple Singers. About a place with no clouds and no more sorrow.
Peace in the Valley by Thomas A. Dorsey. Elvis Presley’s version is well known too.
He Looked Beyond My Fault by Dottie Rambo. Sung to the tune of Danny Boy, which makes it extra moving for families with Irish roots.

Contemporary Gospel Funeral Songs

For a younger person, or anyone who loved newer gospel, these songs sound fresh but still work. Most of them are easy to find on a streaming playlist.

Total Praise by Richard Smallwood
I Love the Lord by Whitney Houston. Written by Richard Smallwood, from The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack.
Take Me to the King by Tamela Mann
Never Would Have Made It by Marvin Sapp
Stand by Donnie McClurkin. About standing firm when you’ve done all you can.
We Fall Down by Donnie McClurkin. Gentle and forgiving, about getting back up.
Encourage Yourself by Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers
The Battle Is the Lord’s by Yolanda Adams. A reminder that you don’t have to carry this alone.
Alabaster Box by CeCe Winans. Quiet and deeply personal.
Goodness of God by CeCe Winans. Thankful and tender.
Melodies from Heaven by Kirk Franklin and the Family
Now Behold the Lamb by Kirk Franklin and the Family
Way Maker by Sinach. A worship song by a Nigerian gospel singer that churches all over the world now sing.
Jesus Loves Me by Whitney Houston. Simple and soft, and lovely for someone who loved her music.

Old Hymns That Gospel Choirs Love

A lot of families want the old hymns, sung the way their church sings them. A good choir or soloist can turn a familiar hymn into the most powerful moment of the day. For more traditional choices see our funeral hymns.

Blessed Assurance. Written by Fanny Crosby.
It Is Well with My Soul
Amazing Grace
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior. Another Fanny Crosby hymn.
Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross
I Need Thee Every Hour
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
When We All Get to Heaven. Upbeat and hopeful, good for the end of a service.
The Old Rugged Cross
In the Garden
Nearer, My God, to Thee
Precious Memories. About the memories that come back to us in quiet moments.

Spirituals for a Funeral

Spirituals are some of the oldest songs in the gospel tradition. They were sung by enslaved African Americans and many of them are about freedom, rest and going home. They often work best sung by one voice or a small group.

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Steal Away. Quiet and peaceful.
Deep River
There Is a Balm in Gilead. A song about healing for a heavy heart.
Soon I Will Be Done. About laying down the troubles of this world.
Hush, Somebody’s Calling My Name
Glory, Glory (Lay My Burden Down)
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
Over My Head
Down by the Riverside
Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Southern Gospel Funeral Songs

Southern gospel has its own sound, with tight harmonies, piano and often a quartet. These are especially popular at country churches across the South and Midwest.

I’ll Fly Away. Written by Albert E. Brumley.
I’ll Meet You in the Morning. Another Albert E. Brumley song, about meeting again in heaven.
Farther Along. For the questions that don’t have answers yet.
Because He Lives by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Hopeful and very popular at funerals.
He Touched Me by Bill Gaither. Elvis Presley recorded a well-known version.
How Great Thou Art by Elvis Presley
Beulah Land by Squire Parsons. About a promised land where there’s no more pain.
Mansion Over the Hilltop. Written by Ira Stanphill.
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. Also by Ira Stanphill. Comforting when the future feels uncertain.
Where the Soul Never Dies
Will the Circle Be Unbroken
Peace in the Valley

https://youtube.com/watch?v=EW3jJpac1Sk&list=RDEW3jJpac1Sk&start_radio=1&pp=ygUcSSdsbCBtZWV0IHlvdSBpbiB0aGUgbW9ybmluZ6AHAQ%3D%3D

Gospel Funeral Songs for Mom

So many moms are the ones who kept the family in church, or sang hymns while they cooked. If she had a favorite, that’s your song. There are more ideas in our funeral songs for mom.

His Eye Is on the Sparrow by Mahalia Jackson
I Love the Lord by Whitney Houston
Precious Memories
Blessed Assurance
Alabaster Box by CeCe Winans
Goodness of God by CeCe Winans
Take Me to the King by Tamela Mann. For a mom who worked hard and gave everything.
In the Garden. For a mom who loved her flowers.
Sweet Hour of Prayer. For a praying mother.
Going Up Yonder by Tramaine Hawkins
Jesus Loves Me by Whitney Houston

Gospel Funeral Songs for Dad

For a dad who was strong, steady and maybe a deacon or usher at church, these songs fit well. You’ll find more choices in our funeral songs for dad.

I Won’t Complain by Rev. Paul Jones
Stand by Donnie McClurkin
Through It All by Andraé Crouch
Peace Be Still by James Cleveland
I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired by James Cleveland. For a dad who never quit.
Never Would Have Made It by Marvin Sapp
Precious Lord, Take My Hand by Mahalia Jackson
It Is Well with My Soul
The Old Rugged Cross
How Great Thou Art by Elvis Presley
My Tribute (To God Be the Glory) by Andraé Crouch

Gospel Songs for a Grandparent

Older guests will often know every word of these. They’re the songs a lot of grandparents played on a record player or heard on the radio growing up.

Move On Up a Little Higher by Mahalia Jackson
How I Got Over by Mahalia Jackson
Uncloudy Day by The Staple Singers
Touch the Hem of His Garment by Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers
Mary Don’t You Weep by The Swan Silvertones
Amazing Grace by Aretha Franklin
Peace in the Valley
Precious Memories
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
I’ll Fly Away

Gospel Songs to Comfort the Family

Some songs are less about the person who died and more about the people left behind. These are good to sing after the eulogy when the family really needs support. If you’re also choosing readings, our Bible verses for a funeral go well with them.

I Need You to Survive by Hezekiah Walker
Encourage Yourself by Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers
The Battle Is the Lord’s by Yolanda Adams
We Fall Down by Donnie McClurkin
Through It All by Andraé Crouch
There Is a Balm in Gilead
Farther Along
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
Peace Be Still by James Cleveland
What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Upbeat Gospel Songs for a Homegoing Celebration

This is where a homegoing really becomes a celebration. These songs suit the recessional, the end of the repast or a celebration of life playlist. Don’t be surprised if people clap and dance.

Going Up Yonder by Tramaine Hawkins
Oh Happy Day by The Edwin Hawkins Singers
I Smile by Kirk Franklin. Smiling through the hard days.
Why We Sing by Kirk Franklin and the Family
Every Praise by Hezekiah Walker
Nobody Greater by VaShawn Mitchell
Shackles (Praise You) by Mary Mary
Soon and Very Soon by Andraé Crouch
When We All Get to Heaven
I’ll Fly Away. Sung fast and loud.
This Little Light of Mine
When the Saints Go Marching In
Down by the Riverside

For even more songs based around faith including worship and contemporary Christian songs have a look at our Christian funeral songs.

Tips for Choosing Gospel Funeral Songs

Ask what they sang. Their church friends, choir members or pastor will often know their favorite song straight away. A song they loved will mean the most.
Talk to the music minister early. Many churches have a choir or soloist who will sing at a homegoing. Ask what they already known as a song they’ve sung many times will come across best.
Mix slow and joyful. A common pattern is slower songs early in the service and more upbeat praise toward the end. It lets people grieve then lifts them up.
Think about who will sing along. Hymns and old favorites like I’ll Fly Away are easy for everyone to join in. Newer songs may work better as a solo.
Listen to the whole song first. Live gospel recordings can run long with extended vamps at the end. Pick a shorter version or ask if it can be faded out.
Check for a backing track. If there’s no live band a soloist will usually need an instrumental track. Make sure the key suits their voice.
Save a song for the graveside. A single voice singing a spiritual like Swing Low, Sweet Chariot at the burial can be unforgettable.
Print the songs in the program. People often want to look them up later. Our funeral program wording examples show how to lay that out.