Funeral Planning

Music for the Service

Prelude Music

The prelude music helps to prepare mourners for the service to follow. Music with special meaning to the deceased or family members may be selected; consider preludes on favorite hymn tunes. The St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran church Worship Director is available to provide guidance in musical selection.

 

Hymns

Procession into the church  A hymn of comfort, baptismal remembrance, or resurrection hope is appropriate.

 

Hymn following the sermon

A hymn that carries forth the images of the readings and sermon or is reflective of the life of faith of the deceased is appropriate.

 

Recession out of the church

A final hymn may be sung as the coffin is carried from the church, usually one of resurrection hope. It is appropriate for the recession to simply be accompanied by an instrumental musical selection.

 

Fees

Soloists - it is appropriate for special music to be provided by soloists or other instrumentalists. Fees will be determined by the musician and paid directly to the musician.    

 

Organist ($150 paid directly to the organist.)  
 
Sound & Video (If utilized $50, paid directly to the technician.)  
 
Pastor Honorarium (suggested $200 - $300 paid directly to the Pastor) 

Suggested Hymns for Christian Funerals 

Title
LBW
ELW
WOV
All of us go down to the dust
223
Alleluia! Jesus is risen!
377
674
Amazing grace
448
779
Beautiful Savior
518
838
Blessed assurance
638
699
Blessing, honor, and glory
433
Borning cry
732
770
Children of the heavenly Father
474
781
Come away to the skies
null
669
For all the saints
174
422
Guide me ever, great Redeemer.
343
618
He leadeth me; O blessed thought!
501
How great thou art
532
856
I am the Bread of life
485
702
I know of a sleep in Jesus’ name.
342
I know that my Redeemer lives!
352
619
I want to walk…child of the light
815
649
In peace and joy I now depart
440
In the morning when I rise
770
777
Into paradise may the angels lead you
222
Jerusalem, my happy home
331
628
Jesus Christ, my sure defense
340
621
Jesus lives! The victory’s won!
133
Jesus shall reign
530
434
Jesus, remember me
616
740
Jesus, still lead on
341
624
Let us ever walk with Jesus
487
802
Lo! He comes with clouds descending
435
Lord of all hopefulness
469
765
My Lord, what a morning
438
627
My faith looks up to thee
479
759
O Christ the same
760
778
O God, our help in ages past
320
632
O God, whose will is life and good
435
O Holy Spirit, enter in
459
786
O Lord, now let your servant
339
313
O blessed spring
447
695
O sacred head, now wounded
116,117
351,352
Oh, happy day when we shall stand
351
441
Oh, what their joy
337
On Jordan’s stormy bank I stand
437
On eagle’s wings
787
779
Precious Lord, take my hand
773
731
Shall we gather at the river
423
690
Sing with all the saints in glory
426
691
Soon and very soon
439
744
The King of love my shepherd is
456
502
The Lord’s my shepherd (Ps 23).
451
778
Thine is the glory
145
376
Thine the amen, thine the praise
826
801
This joyful Eastertide
391
676
Thy holy wings
613
741
Wake, awake, for night is flying
31
436
We are the Lord’s
399
We walk by faith and not by sight
635
675
We were baptized in Christ Jesus
451
698
We who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
779
What wondrous love is this
385
666
Who is this host arrayed in white
314
425

Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW), Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) and With One Voice (WOV).

Solo Favorites

  • Psalm settings, especially of Psalm 23, 121, 42:1-7; 46:1-7, 143

  • Shepherd Me, O God; Marty Haugen (Ps 23)

  • Day by day

  • On Eagle’s Wings; Michael Joncas

  • Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace

  • Lord’s Prayer

  • Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling 

Scripture Readings
Common Questions