Remembrance of someone you love through prayer and memorial services can help bring survivors together for comfort. The church music from HymnServe can console in these times of need. HymnServe can provide music that is sensitive to these circumstances and can furnish the accompaniments to the favorite hymn of the deceased so mourners can celebrate the life of the departed.

The following is an example of a desire to bring comfort to a family member in hospice, another way HymnServe can help one facing the end of life.

My Aunt Eva was in hospice and I was going to be with her a lot. When my next door neighbor asked if she would want to listen to some of her favorite hymns, I took a HymnServe list to her and she said she would like some. She checked the ones she liked. Then we got the CD to her. But by that time, she had gotten worse and died just a few days later.

But the family took the hymns she so recently selected and played them at the funeral. Thank you, Mrs. Johnson, for all the favorite hymns that you made for my Aunt’s funeral. They were very nice and made the atmosphere very solemn and pleasant.

God Bless You.
Anna in Bowling Green, OH

The accompaniments are created to enhance the singing of a group, a congregation or a soloist. One of a joys of life for an sacred music organist is to hear the sound of the voices raising close by and knowing that the people are truly forgetting themselves and worshiping and enjoying singing. The simplicity of the music is illustrated in this note we received.

A note about "Amazing Grace"

Thank you so much. It is absolutely beautiful. I need it to sing a solo at my father in law's memorial service this Sat. and all of the other versions I have found were all gussied up. The song is beautiful just as it was written and your rendition is appreciated.

Stacy in Harbert, MI

What songs should I sing for a memorial or funeral service?

This is a time when people want their familiar and favorite songs. These give great comfort to those who must move on with life, go through the sorrow of the moment and then live through the season of grief. In the Garden and Amazing Grace are two such songs. Blessed Assurance, Great is Thy Faithfulness, How Great Thou Art, The Old Rugged Cross, 'Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus, and When We all Get to Heaven are all great choices. It is very fulfilling for the whole congregation to sing together at some point, perhaps toward the end. You will find the accompaniments for all these on the HymnServe website. Use them for a solo, small group, choir, or congregation. A new song called "My Times are in Thy Hands" has been used effectively as the casket is being brought in. You will find that on the website to download when you press the picture of the album "A New Song in the Morning."

For the viewing time at the funeral home

When friends and family come by the funeral home to pay their respects to the who has died, any of this music is very beautfiul playing in the background. You can express your wishes to the funeral personnel and they can easily download hymns to a cd for you. You or a friend can also do this. You can select any of the hymns you want on the HymnServe website. Then they can be played while people are gathering for the funeral as well.