Choosing the Perfect Funeral Songs: Reflecting on Life Through Music

Music possesses a unique ability to transcend words, offering solace, reflection, and connection during times of grief. When planning a funeral service, music becomes a powerful tool to honor a loved one’s life and provide comfort to those in mourning. Selecting the right funeral songs is a deeply personal process, and this curated list of funeral music aims to guide you in creating a meaningful and memorable tribute.

This compilation features a range of songs suitable for funerals, from timeless classics to contemporary pieces. Whether you are a family member arranging a service or a funeral director seeking musical inspiration, this resource offers a diverse selection to help you assemble a fitting funeral playlist. Remember to secure the necessary music performance licenses if you are a funeral home or service provider to ensure compliance when playing copyrighted music publicly.

This list is designed to be a starting point, recognizing that musical preferences are deeply personal and influenced by individual backgrounds and cultures. We encourage you to consider these suggestions and explore further to find songs that truly resonate with the life being celebrated.

Timeless Funeral Songs and Music Selections

Here is an extensive list of traditional and widely recognized funeral songs, presented alphabetically to aid your selection process. This compilation is not ranked, as the impact of each song is subjective and depends on personal connection. We invite your input – if you believe other songs would be valuable additions to this resource, please share your suggestions.

1. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
2. Amazing Grace – Traditional
3. Amazing Grace (Chains Are Gone) – Pentatonix
4. Angels – Robbie Williams
5. Angels Among Us – Alabama
6. As – Stevie Wonder
7. Auld Lang Syne – Traditional
8. Ave Maria – Andrea Bocelli
9. Ave Maria – Franz Schubert
10. Be Grateful – Walter Hawkins
11. Be Still – The Fray
12. Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
13. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Aretha Franklin
14. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel
15. Broken Halos – Chris Stapleton
16. Candle in the Wind – Elton John
17. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
18. Danny Boy – Traditional
19. Dancing in the Sky – Beverly Ann
20. Do You Remember – Jack Johnson
21. Don’t Cry for Me Argentina – Julie Covington
22. Excavate – Macklemore, Saint Claire
23. Fields of Gold – Sting
24. Future Days (Acoustic) – Eddie Vedder
25. God Bless America – Irving Berlin
26. Going Up Yonder – Walter Hawkins
27. Gonna Fly Now – Bill Conti
28. Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
29. He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother – The Hollies
30. He Has His Hands On You – Marvin Sapp
31. He Stopped Loving Her Today – George Jones
32. His Eye is on the Sparrow – Mahalia Jackson
33. His Strength is Perfect – Cece Winans
34. Hold On – Mighty Clouds of Joy
35. Hold On – Yolanda Adams
36. Home – Aron Wright
37. Home – Edith Whiskers
38. Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
39. How Great Thou Art – Traditional
40. I Am Not Forgotten – Israel Houghton
41. I Lived – OneRepublic
42. I Need You to Survive – Hezekiah Walker and The Love Fellowship Choir
43. I Shall Believe – Sheryl Crow
44. I Smile – Kirk Franklin
45. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
46. I Will Always Return – Bryan Adams
47. I Will Follow You Into the Dark – Death Cab for Cutie
48. I Will Remember You – Sarah McLachlan
49. I’ll Be Missing You – Puff Daddy and Faith Evans
50. I’ll Be There – The Jackson 5
51. I’ll Fly Away – Albert E. Brumley
52. I’m Already There – Lonestar
53. In Christ Alone – Christina Grimmie
54. In the Arms of an Angel – Sarah McLachlan
55. Into the West – Annie Lennox
56. Keep On Movin’ – Soul II Soul
57. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan
58. Lay Me Down – Sam Smith
59. Lean on Me – Bill Withers
60. Let It Be – The Beatles
61. Lift Every Voice and Sing – James Weldon Johnson
62. Living Legend – Club Danger
63. Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley
64. Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) – Billy Joel
65. Memory – Barbra Streisand
66. Morning Has Broken – Cat Stevens
67. My Best Friend – Tim McGraw
68. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
69. My Way – Frank Sinatra
70. Nearer My God to Thee – Traditional
71. Never Would Have Made It – Marvin Sapp
72. Oh Happy Day – Edwin Hawkins Singers
73. Oh How He Loves You and Me – Edwin Hawkins Singers
74. Old Rugged Cross – Traditional
75. On Eagle’s Wings – Michael Joncas
76. Order My Steps – GMWA Women of Worship
77. Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
78. Precious Lord, Take My Hand – Mahalia Jackson
79. Proof of Your Love – King & Country
80. See You Again – Beth
81. See You Again – Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth
82. Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root
83. Solsbury Hill – Peter Gabriel
84. Soon and Very Soon – Andraé Crouch
85. Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
86. Stand – Donnie McClurkin
87. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
88. Supermarket Flowers – Ed Sheeran
89. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – Traditional
90. Take Me to the King – Tamela Mann
91. Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
92. The Dance – Garth Brooks
93. The Lord is My Shepherd – Traditional
94. The Long and Winding Road – The Beatles
95. The Prayer – Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli
96. The Rose – Bette Midler
97. The Sound of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel
98. The Story – Brandi Carlile
99. The Way We Were – Barbra Streisand
100. These Are Days – 10,000 Maniacs
101. Time to Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
102. To Build a Home – The Cinematic Orchestra, Patrick Watson
103. Total Praise – Richard Smallwood
104. Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
105. Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
106. Victory is Mine – Dorothy Norwood
107. Waves – Imagine Dragons
108. We Fall Down – Donnie McClurkin
109. We Shall Overcome – Traditional
110. We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn
111. When I Get Where I’m Going – Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton
112. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross – Traditional
113. When the Saints Go Marching In – Traditional
114. When We Were Young – Adele
115. Wonderwall – Zella Day
116. Work Song – Hozier
117. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
118. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
119. You Are My Friend – Patti LaBelle
120. You Are Not Alone – Michael Jackson
121. You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
122. You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
123. You’ll Never Walk Alone – Gerry & The Pacemakers
124. You’ll Never Walk Alone – Mahalia Jackson
125. Yet – Nathan Morris
126. 7 Years Old – Lukas Graham

This expanded list offers a wide spectrum of musical styles and emotional tones, ensuring that you can find pieces that resonate with the unique life and personality of the deceased. Consider exploring albums featuring these songs to discover complete musical works that can further enhance the funeral service.

Concluding Thoughts on Funeral Music Selection

Choosing funeral songs is an act of love and remembrance. Music provides a powerful way to express emotions, share memories, and offer comfort during a difficult time. We hope this expanded resource of funeral songs and album suggestions serves as a helpful guide as you create a meaningful and personalized tribute for your loved one.

For funeral professionals, offering guidance on music selection can significantly enhance the services you provide to grieving families. Remember to consider the diverse preferences of families and utilize resources like this to offer comprehensive support.

If you have further suggestions for songs that should be included in this compilation, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are dedicated to continually expanding this resource to better serve families and funeral directors in creating heartfelt and memorable funeral services.