At the Funeral of a Young Person

“At the Funeral of a Young Person” is a deeply moving hymn by Anne Steele, one of the most notable female hymn writers of the eighteenth century. Known for her tender and devotional poetry, Steele wrote many hymns that expressed faith through suffering and reflected on the brevity of human life. This particular hymn addresses the solemn reality of death in youth, combining human grief with Christian hope.

The hymn was often sung or recited during funeral services for young believers. It begins with a quiet acknowledgment of the sorrow felt when someone dies at a young age. Steele reflects on the fragility of human life, echoing Psalm 90:5–6, which compares life to grass that flourishes in the morning and is cut down by evening. Isaiah 40:6–8 also provides a scriptural background, reminding the believer that “all flesh is grass” and “the grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

While the verses are honest about the grief of parting, they are never without hope. Steele lifts the mourner’s gaze toward the promises of the gospel, pointing to the victory over death through Jesus Christ. The text reflects the truths of 1 Corinthians 15:51–57, which proclaims the resurrection of the dead and the ultimate defeat of death: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

Anne Steele’s hymns often combined doctrinal soundness with heartfelt emotion, making them powerful tools for both personal devotion and congregational worship. “At the Funeral of a Young Person” follows this pattern, offering comfort through the eternal perspective of faith. It recognizes the pain of earthly loss, yet encourages believers to rest in God’s sovereign will and the assurance of resurrection life in Christ.

This hymn was widely used in English Baptist and Congregationalist circles and appeared in several hymnals throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Its language is both poetic and scriptural, making it a fitting expression of Christian mourning tempered by eternal hope.