Some brethren are concerned about whether instrumental music can be used in funerals. Apparently, these brethren feel so strongly instrumental music must not be used in funerals that congregations of God’s people divide over this issue.
Religious questions deserve Bible answers, including this question. So, what does the Bible or even more specifically, the New Testament, legislate concerning funerals? Nothing! Therefore, practice regarding funerals becomes a matter of personal judgment. Hence, brethren ought not to divide God’s people over this—or anything else about which the Scriptures do not teach.
Strictly speaking, neither weddings nor funerals are religious events prescribed in God’s Word. They are not equivalent to congregational worship, for instance. Yes, instrumental music in congregational worship is not authorized, and another form of music instead has been authorized in Scripture for Christian worship—singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
However, it is possible to interject aspects of Christian worship into a funeral (i.e., hymns, prayer, preaching). All of our acts of worship at all times and in all places ought to conform to what is authorized in Scripture for Christian worship. It would not be harmonious with Scripture regarding hymns sung during a funeral to be accompanied by instrumental music. It would be a matter of (poor) judgment in a setting such as a congregation’s auditorium, in which it ordinarily worships, to use instrumental music even if it did not accompany hymns; Christians and non-Christians alike would get the wrong idea about worshipful music.
Funerals are not always conducted in meetinghouses for God’s people (i.e., outside, funeral home, at home, etc.). Culturally, some funerals typically include a procession to the cemetery, during which instrumental music may be played. It is totally a matter of personal judgment in these areas aside from worship and pertaining to something about which the Bible teaches nothing whether instrumental music may be used in a funeral. Brethren may disagree as to whether one’s judgment is poor judgment or simply okay, particularly in view of how non-Christians may perceive funeral activities. Nevertheless, without biblical legislation and other than the principles noted above, to use or not to use instrumental music in a funeral is not something over which Christians ought to divide.
