Contemporary Christian Funeral Songs: A Guide for Choosing Spiritual Farewells in the Modern Age

When planning a Christian funeral, an integral aspect that helps to bring solace and comfort to the grieving is music. Amidst the sorrow and sadness, the uplifting power of music serves as a comforting balm, offering reassurance of life beyond death and expressing faith in the divine. Contemporary Christian songs have a unique way of reaching inside our souls, bringing forth feelings of peace, hope, and love, even in trying times.

In recent years, contemporary Christian music has seen a surge in popularity, not just for Sunday worship, but also for significant life events, including funerals. These modern hymns and songs incorporate poignant lyrics and soothing melodies that resonate with people of all ages. They provide a fitting tribute to the departed, as well as reassurance to those left behind that their loved one is now in a better place.

In this article, we will explore some late, but timeless, Christian funeral songs from contemporary artists. Weaved with powerful words and soul-stirring music, these songs serve to comfort the bereaved, celebrate the life lived, and cement faith in the promise of eternal life. Whether you’re in the early stages of planning a funeral or seeking solace after losing a loved one, these songs offer a comforting and spiritual perspective.

Understanding the Importance of Funeral Songs

A funeral is a time of mourning and bidding farewell, but it is also a time of remembrance, celebration and hope in the Christian faith. The right song can resonate with our deepest emotions, capturing feelings we might struggle to express. Choosing the right songs to play during a Christian funeral is an important task and could provide comfort and solace to the bereaved family members and friends.

Music has a transcendent power that can aid attendees in expressing their grief while also providing a sense of community in this difficult time. Contemporary Christian songs on such occasions often have lyrics that affirm the belief in eternal life, resurrection, and the hope for reunion with the departed in heaven.

In recent years, contemporary Christian music has grown to encompass a wide range of sounds, styles, and lyrical content. While classic hymns continue to remain popular choices for funerals, there are modern songs that speak the language of the current generation, providing messages of faith, hope and love.

Songs like ‘10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)’ by Matt Redman, encompassing a tone of gratitude even amidst sorrow, or ‘I Can Only Imagine’ by MercyMe, which imagines the joy of entering heaven and being in the presence of God, are examples of contemporary music that can connect people at a time of loss.

Additionally, ‘There Will be a Day’ by Jeremy Camp underscores the Christian belief in a promised day where there will be no more tears or pain, while ‘Homesick’ by MercyMe beautifully captures the mixed feelings of missing someone who has passed away, but knowing they are in a better place.

By selecting meaningful contemporary Christian funeral songs, bereaved loved ones could find a source of hope and spiritual strength. It is a unique opportunity to use the power of music to share cherished memories, convey profound emotions, and articulate religious beliefs about death and eternity.

Popular Contemporary Christian Funeral Songs

The loss of a loved one is a challenging time for many. Music, in this context, can serve a vital role, providing comfort and helping to commemorate the life of the departed. Here is a list of some popular contemporary Christian songs often used at funerals that provide reassurance of God’s love and the promise of eternity for believers.

1. “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe – This song allows listeners to delve into what it would be like to stand before God in heaven, an encouraging thought for those grieving a Christian loved one.

2. “With Hope” by Steven Curtis Chapman – This song was penned after the loss of Chapman’s own daughter, so it is deeply heartfelt and reassuring for those mourning.

3. “Homesick” by MercyMe – A powerful song that perfectly captures the yearning for home – not on earth, but in heaven.

4. “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North – It’s a song that helps believers express their anguish and look forward to the day when all sorrow will be erased.

5. “There Will Be A Day” by Jeremy Camp – Giving the message of hope, this song reassures believers about the eventual ending of pain and suffering.

6. “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless – A moving song that highlights how faith provides strength in times of grief.

7. “Heaven Song” by Phil Wickham – It’s a melodic piece that fuels hope for the eternal reunion in heaven.

8. “Praise You In This Storm” by Casting Crowns – This song is a powerful tribute to trusting God during difficult times.

9. “Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong Worship – It’s a heartening tune that reassures of our identity in Christ, and our guaranteed eternal existence with Him.

10. “In Better Hands” by Natalie Grant – A hopeful song that speaks about the comfort of entrusting the departed souls into God’s hands.

Each of these songs, in their own unique way, provides comfort during times of loss by focusing on the promise of eternity and the hope of reunion with loved ones in heaven.

Tips for Choosing the Right Funeral Song

When planning a Christian funeral, song selection plays an important role. It’s a moment for comforting the bereaved, saying goodbye and celebrating life from a spiritual perspective. That’s why it’s crucial to choose the right song. Here are some tips to help you during the process.

1. Reflect on the Deceased’s Life and Beliefs
Choose a selection of songs that echo the deceased’s faith and spiritual journey, their values, personality, and the moments they treasured in life. An ideal funeral song can help convey the individuality of your loved one.

2. Consider the Lyrics
Analyze the lyrics carefully. The words should bring comfort, inspire hope, and be in alignment with Christian teachings about death and the afterlife. If the song’s lyrics resonate with the gathering, it can be a gentle encouragement during such a trying time.

3. Traditional or Contemporary
Decide whether you want to go with traditional hymns or contemporary Christian music. Both have their place in a funeral service; traditional songs can be comforting because of their familiarity, while contemporary songs can bring a fresh perspective.

4. Consult with Your Church Music Director or Pastor
A church music director or pastor can serve as a valuable resource when choosing music for a Christian funeral. They can help you understand the appropriateness of a piece of music for the occasion, considered from a theological and liturgical perspective.

5. Incorporate Favorites
Consider the favorite hymns or worship songs of the deceased if they were known. It is a beautiful way to honor their memory and add a personal touch to the service.

Above all, the best song would encapsulate the essence of the deceased’s life, their love for Christ, and the hope of life after death. You want a song that stirs the soul, offers consolation, and helps express the feelings sometimes too deep for words alone.

Conclusion

The power of music in times of grief and mourning is unparalleled. Christian funeral songs, both traditional and contemporary, have a profound power to comfort and inspire those experiencing the pain of losing a loved one. These songs evoke a spectrum of emotions – from sorrow and despair to hope and peace. In Christianity, death is seen not as an end but a passage to eternal life. Therefore, Christian funeral songs often carry messages of hope, faith, and a profound belief in life after death.

Contemporary Christian funeral songs blend modern musical elements with these enduringly comforting themes. Artists like Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Matt Redman, and Casting Crowns produce intensely relatable content that speaks directly to the Christian faith and the promise of eternity. Their songs carry the power to heal, generate hope, and bring solace during such emotionally challenging times.

From ‘I Can Only Imagine’ by MercyMe, which paints a vivid picture of heaven, to ‘I Will Rise’ by Chris Tomlin that reassures believers of the eternal life promised to them, contemporary Christian funeral songs can effectively bring a sense of comfort and peace.

In conclusion, contemporary Christian funeral songs play an invaluable role in the bereavement process, offering solace through messages of faith, hope, and the promise of eternal life. They are not just songs, but emotional expressions of God’s love and the reassurance that death is not the end but the beginning of eternity.