Funeral Music and Readings

Guide to selecting appropriate music and readings for funeral services in Phoenix, including traditional and contemporary options.

Written and reviewed by the Phoenix Funeral Guide Editorial Team. Last updated August 2026.

Music Selection

Traditional Religious

  • Amazing Grace
  • How Great Thou Art
  • Ave Maria
  • On Eagle's Wings
  • Be Not Afraid

Contemporary

  • Wind Beneath My Wings
  • Time to Say Goodbye
  • My Way
  • Hallelujah
  • Over the Rainbow

Types of Readings

  • Religious Texts
    • Bible verses
    • Psalms
    • Prayer books
    • Sacred texts
  • Poetry
    • Classic poems
    • Modern verse
    • Personal writings
  • Prose
    • Literary excerpts
    • Personal letters
    • Meaningful quotes

Musical Arrangements

Performance Options

  • Live Musicians
    • Organist/Pianist
    • Vocalist
    • String quartet
    • Guitar
  • Recorded Music
    • Professional recordings
    • Digital playlists
    • Custom compilations

Popular Reading Selections

Religious Readings

  • Psalm 23
  • Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
  • John 14:1-6
  • Revelation 21:4
  • Matthew 5:4

Poetry

  • "Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep"
  • "The Dash"
  • "If I Should Go"
  • "Remember"
  • "She Is Gone"

Planning Tips

  • Service Structure
    • Opening music
    • Welcome readings
    • Midservice selections
    • Closing pieces
  • Timing Considerations
    • Length of selections
    • Number of pieces
    • Transitions
    • Overall duration

Cultural Considerations

Mariachi music is a well-documented, real tradition observed at services for members of the Phoenix area's Hispanic/Latino community — a sizable share of the city's population. Mariachi performers are sometimes booked to play during a velorio (wake), as guests arrive, or graveside as a final farewell. If this is a tradition your family observes, ask your funeral home whether they've coordinated mariachi performances before; many in the Phoenix area have.

Beyond that, musical and reading traditions vary widely by faith, culture, and family — African American spirituals, Asian cultural elements, European traditions, and specific Native American customs (which vary significantly by nation and should follow that community's own protocols) are all worth discussing directly with the family or officiant rather than assuming a generic approach.

Technical Considerations

  • Sound System Requirements
    • Equipment needs
    • Venue acoustics
    • Backup systems
    • Sound check timing
  • Coordination
    • Performer rehearsal
    • Cue timing
    • Volume control
    • Microphone placement

Cost Considerations

Typical Expenses

  • Organist/Pianist: $150-$300
  • Vocalist: $150-$250
  • String quartet: $600-$1,200
  • Sound system rental: $200-$500
  • Music licensing (if needed): Varies

Additional Resources

  • Music selection guides
  • Reading compilations
  • Cultural reference materials
  • Local musician directories
  • Copyright information