This isn't something that people in their teens or twenties, or even thirties for that matter, tend to think about. I know I've never really thought about it.

I know I'd probably want a hymn sung at my funeral. My best guess would be, "Abide With Me." That's currently my favorite hymn. The first verse goes:

Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide:
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!

This hymn has a beautiful, haunting melody that nearly brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it. It was written by Henry F. Lyte, a Methodist minister, in 1847--just a few months before his death. The words have actually been set to more than one melody, but the one I am thinking of is called "Eventide."

The words to this hymn just seem wonderfully appropriate for a funeral or, "homegoing" as we call them in my church.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away!
Change and decay in all around I see:
O Thou who changest not, abide with me!

I need Thy presence ev'ry passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee!
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Grishny