Christopher Graham
Organist and Pianist
for Funerals
Auckland, New Zealand
Singing Hymns and Songs optional
Families can choose whether or not they would like congregational singing. Here’s a list of some of the most popular hymns and songs that everyone knows ideal for funeral services:
Hymns and Songs – Religious
Amazing Grace
Abide With Me
The Lord’s My Shepherd
Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer
How Great Thou Art
Hymns and Songs – Semi-Religious
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Morning Has Broken
Jerusalem “And Did Those Feet”
Songs – Non-Religious
You Raise Me Up
Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
What a Wonderful World
We’ll Meet Again
Organ and Piano Solo Music
The following lists are only a representative collection of some of the most popular music played as piano or organ solos at funeral services. The choice is always up to the family whether or not they would like solo music played before, during, and at the conclusion of the funeral service (99% of families do), and if so, whether they would like religious or non-religious music, contemporary or traditional.
New audios are constantly being added.
Music before the Service Begins
Organ
Ave Maria (Schubert)
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (Bach)
Panis Angelicus (Franck)
Ave Maria (Bach-Gounod)
Air on the G String (Bach)
Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach)
Pie Jesu (Webber)
Piano
Over The Rainbow
Wind Beneath My Wings
Fur Elise (Beethoven)
Memory from ‘Cats’
My Heart Will Go On from ‘Titanic’
Music during a Peaceful Time
of Reflection
Organ
Largo (Handel)
God Be In My Head
Piano
Cavatina from ‘Deer Hunter’
Moonlight Sonata 1st Mvt. (Beethoven)
Meditation from ‘Thias’
Gymnopedie No.1 (Satie)
Claire de Lune (Debussy)
Music at the Conclusion
of the Funeral Service
Organ
Nimrod (Elgar)
Hornpipe from ‘Water Music’ (Handel)
Piano
Cavatina from ‘Deer Hunter’
Time to Say Goodbye
Catholic Requiem Mass
With 25 years’ experience in the Catholic church, Christopher Graham specializes in playing for the Catholic Requiem Mass, both traditional and contemporary music. He is an organist at St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral in Auckland.
Popular Hymns and Songs
for Catholic Funerals
Here I am, Lord
The Lord’s My Shepherd
Come As You Are
How Great Thou Art
I Come To The Garden Alone
Christopher Graham can also provide the music for The Liturgy of the Eucharist if the family so desire. The sung responses are: ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ (Sanctus), ‘The Memorial Acclamation’, ‘The Great Amen’, and ‘Lamb of God’ (Agnus Dei). They can be either spoken or sung – discuss with the Celebrant.
