Amish and Mennonite Funeral Hymns, Prayers, and Scripture Readings

Music at Amish Funerals Is Nothing Like What Most People Expect

There are no organs, no pianos, no choirs in robes, no soloists stepping up to a microphone. An Old Order Amish funeral service contains no musical accompaniment of any kind. Hymns are either read aloud by the bishop or deacon — not sung — or, in some districts, chanted in slow unison by the congregation without vocal harmony.

This is deliberate. The entire liturgy is designed to direct attention away from individual talent or emotional manipulation and toward the sovereignty and mercy of God. Any musical performance that could draw attention to the singer rather than the message would violate Gelassenheit, the foundational Amish principle of yielding the self to God's will.

That said, singing may happen in some districts during or around the service. When it does, it carries deep emotional weight.

The Three Singing Moments

Visitation singing (Day 2 evening). On the second night of the viewing, approximately 30 church youth gather near the open casket and sing four-part German and English hymns about heaven. "Amazing Grace" is commonly included. This is a comfort to the family — the young people's voices filling the quiet farmhouse while the body lies in its pine casket.

Final viewing singing (Day 3 morning). As the congregation files past the casket for the last look before the service, friends sing the German version of "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be" (Wie herrlich muss der Himmel sein). This accompanies the slow procession of mourners past the open casket.

Graveside committal singing. As the casket is lowered into the earth by hand, the assembly sings "Goodnight, My Beloved" (Gute Nacht, Meine Lieben). The family then sings "That Will Be My Last Long Move I'll Have to Make." These are sung over the sound of soil being shoveled onto the wooden casket by the pallbearers.

The Funeral Service Structure

The main service lasts approximately two hours and follows a highly ordered structure. The language shifts between Pennsylvania Dutch for spoken words and High German for scripture readings.

Opening sermon — approximately 20 minutes, delivered by a local minister. Sets the theological frame: mortality, God's sovereignty, the hope of resurrection.

Scripture reading — passages tracing salvation history from Creation through the Book of Revelation. The focus is cosmic, not personal. These are read from the High German Bible.

Silent prayer — the entire congregation kneels in absolute silence. This is one of the most striking moments for outside visitors. Hundreds of people, kneeling on a farmhouse floor, in complete quiet. No one breaks the silence until the bishop or deacon signals the end.

Main sermon — approximately one hour, delivered by a visiting minister or bishop. The preaching style is often a chanting, sing-song delivery that avoids emotional peaks. The content focuses on preparing for eternity and submitting to God's will — not on the accomplishments or personality of the deceased.

Reading of the obituary — the deacon reads a factual account: birth date, death date, surviving family members. No anecdotes, no personality tributes. The obituary is unembellished by design.

Lord's Prayer — recited by the congregation, often in German.

What Is Not Included

The absences define an Amish funeral service as much as the content:

• No personal eulogy. Praising the deceased's accomplishments would elevate the individual above the community and above God. Some mourners find this jarring, especially those from mainstream traditions where eulogies are central.
• No flowers. Floral arrangements are absent from both the viewing and the service.
• No instrumental music in the service. Do not assume recorded or instrumental music is appropriate at surrounding events; follow local custom.
• A printed program may not be provided. Visitors should follow the service's flow and any directions from the local community.

Mennonite Funeral Music: A Different Tradition

Conservative Mennonite funerals diverge significantly from Amish practice when it comes to singing. The entire congregation sings in structured, four-part a cappella harmony from standard hymnals. The singing is unaccompanied — no instruments — but it is full, rich, and communal.

Mennonite church members view their regular Sunday hymn-singing as lifelong preparation for funerals, where they must honor the deceased with vocal music even while choked with grief. The ability to sing through tears is seen as a spiritual discipline.

After the formal service, some conservative Mennonite congregations hold a reception featuring the Freiwillige — an open-mic sharing period where friends and family walk to the front to share unrehearsed memories of the deceased. This is closer to the eulogy tradition that the Amish reject entirely.

For Outside Visitors

If you're attending a plain community funeral and you're not sure what to expect musically:

• During the main Amish service, stay quiet. Don't hum, sing along, or try to join in unless invited.
• During Mennonite congregational singing, you may sing along softly if you can follow the hymnal, but don't feel obligated.
• During graveside singing, follow the congregation's lead; sing only if invited or if the local custom expects visitors to join.
• Never attempt to play recorded music, suggest instrumental accompaniment, or offer to perform a song. These are violations of the community's deepest convictions about worship.

The Amish & Mennonite Funeral Guide includes a complete service-order reference for both Amish and Mennonite funerals, with the specific hymns, scriptures, and prayer formats used in each tradition.