The relationship between funerals and music is incredibly powerful and can offer a sense of peace for friends and family members at a difficult time. For huge numbers of funerals — not in every faith tradition, but in many — music is typically sprinkled throughout a funeral service.
Memorial songs and funeral hymns set the mood of our memories; they honor our loved ones’ lives; they give us something to hold on to when things get very emotional. Here are 76 of the most beloved songs that families have been known to play at funerals and celebrations of life.
Jump To:
- Popular Funeral Songs
- Remembering a Parent
- Remembering a Spouse or Partner
- Remembering a Child
- Religious Funeral Songs
- Love Songs
- Upbeat Funeral Songs
- Humorous Funeral Songs
- Alternative Funeral Songs
Popular Funeral Songs
Bette Midler – Wind Beneath My Wings – Lyrics
Robbie Williams – Angels – Lyrics
Frank Sinatra – My Way – Lyrics
Sarah Brightman with Andrea Bocelli – Time To Say Goodbye – Lyrics
Puff Daddy (Sean Combs) – I’ll Be Missing You – Lyrics
Eva Cassidy – Over the Rainbow – Lyrics
Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven – Lyrics
Natalie Cole – Unforgettable – Lyrics
Elton John – Candle in the Wind – Lyrics
Warren Zevon – Keep Me in Your Heart – Lyrics
Josh Groban – To Where You Are – Lyrics
Train – Calling All Angels – Lyrics
Evanescence – My Immortal – Lyrics
Sarah McLachlan – Angel – Lyrics
Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth – See You Again – Lyrics
Jeff Buckley – Satisfied Mind – Lyrics
Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day – Lyrics
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Freebird – Lyrics
Bob Dylan – Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Lyrics
Carrie Underwood – See You Again – Lyrics
Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water – Lyrics
Dennis Wilson – Farewell My Friend – Lyrics
Sarah McLachlan – I Will Remember You – Lyrics
Norman Greenbaum – Spirit in the Sky – Lyrics
Melissa Etheridge – Talking To My Angel – Lyrics
Gerry & The Pacemakers – You’ll Never Walk Alone – Lyrics
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – Stars – Lyrics
James Taylor – Fire and Rain – Lyrics
John Denver – Country Roads – Lyrics
Ellie Goulding – How Long Will I Love You – Lyrics
Funeral Songs for Remembering a Parent
Keith Urban – Song For Dad – Lyrics
Brad Paisley – When I Get Where I’m Going – Lyrics
Michael Bolton – Fathers and Daughters (Never Say Goodbye) – Lyrics
Josh Groban – You Raise Me Up – Lyrics
Luther Vandross – Dance With My Father – Lyrics
Carly Simon – Like a River – Lyrics
Ed Sheeran – Supermarket Flowers – Lyrics
Green Day – When September Ends – Lyrics
Funeral Songs for Remembering a Spouse or Partner
Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You – Lyrics
Barbara Streisand – The Way We Were – Lyrics
Willie Nelson – She Is Gone – Lyrics
Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On – Lyrics
Sinead O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U – Lyrics
Faith Hill – There You’ll Be – Lyrics
Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time – Lyrics
James Blunt – Goodbye My Lover – Lyrics
Funeral Songs for Remembering a Child
Billy Joel – Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel) – Lyrics
Art Garfunkel – Bright Eyes – Lyrics
John Lennon – Beautiful Boy – Lyrics
Alphaville – Forever Young – Lyrics
Kenny Chesney – Who’d You Be Today – Lyrics
Religious Funeral Songs
Leanne Rimes – Amazing Grace – Lyrics
Bradley Walker – Sing Me to Heaven – Lyrics
The Wailin’ Jennys – “Bright Morning Stars” – Lyrics
Mormon Tabernacle Choir – The Lord is My Shepherd – Lyrics
Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah – Lyrics
George Harrison – My Sweet Lord – Lyrics
Love Songs
Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie – Endless Love – Lyrics
Stevie Nicks – I Miss You – Lyrics
Billie Holiday – I’ll Be Seeing You – Lyrics
The Cure – Pictures of You – Lyrics
Upbeat Funeral Songs
Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World – Lyrics
The Byrds – Turn! Turn! Turn! – Lyrics
Morecambe and Wise – Bring Me Sunshine – Lyrics
Humorous Funeral Songs
Queen – Another One Bites the Dust – Lyrics
AC/DC – Highway to Hell – Lyrics
Monty Python – Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – Lyrics
Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Lyrics
The Jam – Going Underground –Lyrics
Blue Oyster Cult – Don’t Fear the Reaper – Lyrics
Billy Joel – Only the Good Die Young – Lyrics
Alternative Funeral Songs
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here – Lyrics
The Hooters – Heaven Laughs – Lyrics
Jane Siberry with K.D. Lang – Calling All Angels – Lyrics
Green Day – Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Lyrics
Learn how funeral pre-planning can ensure your final wishes are carried out
Read More
- Best Religious Funeral Songs
- Funeral Poems for the Service
- How to Write a Eulogy
- How to Choose Pallbearers
