Why hymns at funerals are making a comeback

Two hymns made it into this year’s top ten list of songs played at funerals – for the first time in seven years. Rev Cassius Francis reflects on the resurgence of religious songs, and what our music choices can mean at such a difficult time

In the latest funeral songs chart, based on song selections from 93,000 funerals, two hymns – ‘All things bright and beautiful’ and ‘Abide with me’ – made it into the top ten. It was the first time in seven years that a hymn had been included.

Co-op Funeralcare, who carried out the survey, have indicated that the use of more hymns was perhaps influenced by Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral last year. “Two hymns that were performed at the late queen’s funeral, ‘The Lord is my shepherd’ and ‘The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended’, have been requested more frequently over the last year,” a Co-op spokesperson said.