The second part of a series
Music has a unique ability to evoke memories, bringing back moments spent with the deceased, sometimes more than words can accomplish. This can be especially comforting during a funeral, where specific songs can recall the personality of a loved one.
Over the ages, classical music played a big part in formal funerals for the rich, royals and aristocracy. What music was played for common man? For them you had hymns that could be played or sung and these really took root in the early to medieval time of Europe. The use of hymns in Christian funerals stems from Jewish traditions of singing Psalms, which are central to the Bible. The western Christian tradition saw the rise of sacred funeral music called hymns set to simple melodies like Gregorian chants in monasteries during the Middle Ages. These hymns would often use Latin psalm texts from the Old Testament.
The Renaissance and Baroque periods marked a significant shift in funeral music. Composers began to write specific pieces for funerals like Tomas Luis de Victoria’s “Requiem” and Heinrich Schutz’s “Musikalische Exequiem.” It was an era of fusing beauty with sorrow, creating a more profound emotional depth in the funeral setting.
As Christian funeral services developed, hymns became crucial for offering comfort, uniting mourners and expressing faith in eternal life moving beyond the passionate expression of grief and sorrow. In the Victorian era many well-known funeral hymns like “Abide With Me”, and “It Is Well with My Soul” gained popularity in the nineteenth century, offering solace in times of darkness and loss.
In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, funeral hymns were more than music- they were expressions of grief, hope and spiritual reassurance. Whether sung in church pews, at gravesides or in quiet family gatherings, these hymns helped a generation face death with dignity and faith. Their lyrics offered solace, their melodies carried memory, and their messages bridged the sorrow of loss with the promise of eternity.
In the modern era, funeral music has diversified beyond religious hymns and classical pieces. It has become a highly personalized aspect of the service, with families choosing songs that reflect the life, personality, and preferences of the deceased. From pop songs to country music, and even rock ballads, contemporary funeral music encompasses a wide variety of genres, providing a fitting tribute to that reflecting the spirit and personality of the loved one. Songs like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “You Raise Me Up,” or even songs from an individual’s favorite artist are becoming common in services.
Thanks for reading this second part of the history of funeral music. In my next article, I’ll touch on the ways music can help with grieving. Take care.
Andrew B. Hoffman is a funeral director at Jeffries and Keates and Keates-Plum Funeral Homes. He is a twenty-two year veteran of the funeral industry.
