Be Not Afraid and other Catholic hymns

I'm Catholic and I think the song is fine. I don't think I've ever heard it played at a funeral.

I love that hymn!

We also used Prayer of St. Francis / Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace

eta and "Hosea"

Southern Baptist here. I have no idea what song you're talking about.

United Methodist here and I think it's fine.

There's no hymn (aside from a few Christmas carols) that everyone of every denomination knows. Trying to triangulate toward one that way will just give you a headache. Just pick what you like and run with it!

I love that song. We wanted "On Eagle's Wings" but were told by the church coordinator it's a funeral song, so we nixed it. I am totally blanking on what else we did :/

I'm Catholic but my FI is not so we are doing a Christian ceremony. I wanted at least one song during the ceremony. I love Be Not Afraid and do not think it is too sad, but I can see what you are saying for the non Catholics who don't know it thinking it is sad. We decided to use "We are Called" by David Haas. Its a little more upbeat and I like the message for the start of our marriage. I'm really hoping I can get all the guests to sing along!

I love "Be Not Afraid". Given that it's going to be played rather than sung, I don't think you have to worry about guests knowing it or not. Anyone that doesn't know the song will just think "what a pretty piece they're playing". Also I love anything by David Haas.

Thanks for all of the feedback! I agree I have never thought of it as a sad or funeral song but when I googled the song title I got some funeral results. So just wanted to run it by a wider audience. And I'm not really concerned about others not recognizing it, I was just curious as to if it was a more Catholic-centric song or if everyone would know it. The rest of the ceremony music is mostly secular classical stuff (a lot of Bach) but I think this will be a nice addition. I am also considering Here I Am, Lord for the prelude.

I think "Be Not Afraid' is very pretty, doesn't make me think of funerals. Go for it!

Another really beautiful song is "Lord of All Hopefulness". It talks about God being with us at the break, noon and eve of the day (basically symbolizing the different times/stages in our lives). The same tune is used for "Be Thou My Vision", I feel like people may recognize it.