Farewell Service

Hymns, readings and a printed program for a Christian funeral

Lutheran funeral hymns (public domain)

Hymns from the Lutheran tradition: words by Martin Luther, Paul Gerhardt, Philipp Nicolai and other Lutheran writers, or set to Lutheran chorale tunes.

8 hymnsPublic domainPlay, project, print

How these were chosen. A hymn is listed here when its words or its tune come from a Lutheran writer or composer, as recorded on HymnKeys. “Take Up Thy Cross” is sung to NUN LASST UNS DEN LEIB BEGRABEN, a Lutheran burial chorale.

8 hymns

  1. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

    Martin Luther, tr. Frederic Henry Hedge · 1529 · tune EIN FESTE BURG (ISORHYTHMIC)

    A mighty fortress is our God,
    a bulwark never failing;
    Our helper He, amid the flood
    of mortal ills prevailing:
    For still our ancient foe
    doth seek to work us woe;
    His craft and pow'r are great,
    and, armed with cruel hate,
    On earth is not his equal.

    About peace, comfort, trust in God, salvation.

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  2. Be Still, My Soul

    Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel, tr. Jane Laurie Borthwick · 1752 · tune FINLANDIA

    Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
    Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
    Leave to thy God to order and provide;
    In every change, He faithful will remain.
    Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
    Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

    About heaven, peace, comfort, trust in God.

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  3. Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying

    Phillipp Nicolai, tr. Catherine Winkworth · 1599 · tune WACHET AUF

    Wake, awake, for night is flying;
    The watchmen on the heights are crying:
    Awake, Jerusalem, at last!
    Midnight hears the welcome voices
    And at the thrilling cry rejoices;
    Come forth, ye virgins, night is past;
    The Bridegroom comes, awake;
    Your lamps with gladness take;
    Alleluia!
    And for His marriage feast prepare
    For ye must go and meet Him there.

    About heaven, joy, hope, salvation.

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  4. Through the Night of Doubt and Sorrow

    Bernhardt Severin Ingemann, tr. Sabine Baring-Gould · 1826 · tune REX GLORIAE

    Through the night of doubt and sorrow
    Onward goes the pilgrim band,
    Singing songs of expectation,
    Marching to the Promised Land.
    Clear before us through the darkness
    Gleams and burns the guiding light:
    Brother clasps the hand of brother,
    Stepping fearless through the night.

    About heaven, faith, peace, comfort.

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  5. Now Thank We All Our God

    Martin Rinkart, tr. Catherine Winkworth · 1636 · tune NUN DANKET

    Now thank we all our God,
    with heart and hands and voices,
    Who wondrous things has done,
    in Whom this world rejoices;
    Who from our mothers' arms
    has blessed us on our way
    With countless gifts of love,
    and still is ours today.

    About joy, God’s love, God’s guidance, God’s faithfulness.

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  6. Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me

    Paul Gerhardt, tr. John Wesley · 1653 · tune YOAKLEY

    Jesus, Thy boundless love to me
    No thought can reach, no tongue declare;
    Unite my thankful heart with Thee
    And reign without a rival there.
    To Thee alone, dear Lord, I live;
    Myself to Thee, dear Lord, I give.

    About faith, forgiveness, joy, trust in God.

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  7. Take Up Thy Cross, the Savior Said

    Charles William Everest · 1833 · tune NUN LASST UNS DEN LEIB BEGRABEN

    "Take up thy cross," the Savior said,
    "If thou wouldst My disciple be;
    Deny thyself, the world forsake,
    And humbly follow after Me."

    About heaven, faith, peace, comfort.

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  8. Softly Now the Day Is Ending

    Thomas Hansen Kingo, tr. Jens Christian Aaberg · 1677 · tune EVEN SONG

    Softly now the day is ending,
    Night o'er hill and vale descending;
    I will kneel before Thee, Lord.
    Unto Thee my thanks I render
    That Thou didst, in mercy tender
    Life and peace to me accord.

    About prayer, peace, trust in God, God’s faithfulness.

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Each hymn plays, projects and prints on our sister site HymnKeys, where the melody plays in any key. Every hymn here is in the public domain.

More hymns for a funeral