Poems, songs & readings
Funeral songs and hymns for a service
By Lindiwe Khumalo · 5 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
Music holds a funeral together. The right song can give a room permission to grieve and then to find a little comfort. This page lists the funeral songs and hymns used most often at South African services, grouped so you can choose quickly.
We list song titles, the artist or tradition, and where each one tends to fit in the service. We do not reproduce lyrics, since most are under copyright - choose your songs and source the words from a hymn book or a licensed lyric site.
A typical service uses three or four songs: an opening hymn, one or two in the middle, and a closing hymn.
Traditional hymns
These are the backbone of most South African church funerals:
- "Abide With Me" - a calm, well-known opening or closing hymn.
- "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" - comforting, easy for any congregation to sing.
- "Amazing Grace" - perhaps the most requested funeral hymn worldwide.
- "How Great Thou Art" - powerful and uplifting, good for the close.
- "It Is Well With My Soul" - a hymn of peace amid grief.
- "Nearer, My God, to Thee" - traditional and gentle.
Most hymn books and church song sheets carry these, so the congregation can sing along.
Gospel and African hymns
Widely sung at South African funerals across denominations:
- "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" - sometimes sung as a hymn of dignity and unity.
- "Akekho Ofana Naye" - a beloved gospel praise.
- "Hamba Nathi" ("Walk with us") - a gentle, walking hymn often used during the procession.
- "Thina Sizwe" - a moving traditional song of the people.
- Gospel standards by artists such as Rebecca Malope and Joyous Celebration are frequent choices for special items by a choir or soloist.
A church choir will usually know these by heart.
Modern and contemporary songs
For a memorial, after-tears or a less formal service, families often choose songs the person loved:
- "You Raise Me Up" - widely used and easy to sing along to.
- "Wind Beneath My Wings" - a tribute to someone who supported others.
- "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton - tender, often for the loss of a child.
- "See You Again" - popular for younger people.
- A song from the person's own favourite artist or genre - sometimes the most fitting choice of all.
Check that any recorded track plays cleanly through the venue's sound system before the day.
How to choose and arrange the music
- Pick songs the congregation can sing. Familiar hymns lift a room more than unfamiliar ones.
- Match the moment. A strong, hopeful hymn for the close; something gentle for reflection.
- Decide live or recorded. A choir or pianist is moving, but a clean recording is fine if no musicians are available.
- Print the first verse of the main hymn in the program so everyone can join.
- Test the sound before the service if you are using recorded tracks.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular funeral songs in South Africa?
Traditional hymns like "Amazing Grace", "Abide With Me" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" are the most common, alongside gospel and African hymns such as "Hamba Nathi" and "Akekho Ofana Naye". Many families also add a modern song the person loved.
What is a good opening hymn for a funeral?
"Abide With Me" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" are gentle, well-known openers that any congregation can sing. "Amazing Grace" also works well at the start or the close of the service.
What gospel songs are sung at SA funerals?
Common gospel and African hymns include "Hamba Nathi", "Akekho Ofana Naye" and "Thina Sizwe", with choir items often drawn from artists like Rebecca Malope and Joyous Celebration. Church choirs usually know these by heart.
How many songs should a funeral have?
Most services use three or four songs - an opening hymn, one or two in the middle around the tributes or reflection, and a closing hymn. A procession song such as "Hamba Nathi" can be added as people move to the graveside.
Can we play a recorded song instead of singing?
Yes, a clean recorded track is perfectly acceptable, especially for a modern song the person loved or where no musicians are available. Just test it through the venue's sound system before the service so it plays clearly.
