Finding the Perfect Funeral Song: A Guide to Music for Remembrance

Music possesses a universal language, capable of expressing emotions that words often fail to capture. In times of grief and remembrance, Funeral Songs play a crucial role in providing solace, expressing love, and honoring the lives of those we have lost. Selecting the right funeral song can be a deeply personal and meaningful process. This guide explores a curated list of funeral songs, offering a starting point for creating a meaningful musical tribute.

Choosing music for a funeral service is a significant aspect of memorializing a loved one. Music can evoke cherished memories, provide comfort during sorrow, and celebrate a life well-lived. Whether you are planning a funeral for a family member or seeking to pre-plan your own arrangements, understanding the options available can help you create a service that truly resonates with the spirit of the departed.

This article provides an extensive list of funeral song suggestions, encompassing both traditional and contemporary choices. It’s important to remember that musical taste is subjective and deeply influenced by cultural background and personal experiences. This list is intended to inspire and guide you, and we encourage you to consider songs that held special meaning for the deceased and their loved ones.

Before incorporating copyrighted music into a funeral service, particularly if it is live-streamed or recorded, funeral homes and service providers should ensure they have the appropriate music performance licenses. This ensures compliance and respects the rights of music creators.

Traditional Funeral Songs: Timeless Hymns and Melodies

Traditional funeral songs often carry a sense of solemnity, reverence, and enduring comfort. These hymns and classic songs have resonated with generations, providing solace and a sense of shared grief. Here is a selection of 100 traditional funeral songs, presented in no particular order, to consider for a funeral or memorial service:

1. Amazing Grace – Traditional
2. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
3. His Eye is on the Sparrow – Mahalia Jackson
4. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
5. Precious Lord, Take My Hand – Mahalia Jackson
6. You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
7. I’ll Fly Away – Albert E. Brumley
8. The Rose – Bette Midler
9. As – Stevie Wonder
10. Angels – Robbie Williams
11. Going Up Yonder – Walter Hawkins
12. Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
13. Oh Happy Day – Edwin Hawkins Singers
14. Candle in the Wind – Elton John
15. Total Praise – Richard Smallwood
16. Time to Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
17. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – Traditional
18. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel
19. Lean on Me – Bill Withers
20. Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
21. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
22. Ave Maria – Franz Schubert
23. You Are Not Alone – Michael Jackson
24. Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
25. I’ll Be There – The Jackson 5
26. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
27. Victory is Mine – Dorothy Norwood
28. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – Monty Python
29. Soon and Very Soon – Andraé Crouch
30. Danny Boy – Traditional
31. Order My Steps – GMWA Women of Worship
32. The Prayer – Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli
33. Take Me to the King – Tamela Mann
34. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross – Traditional
35. I Need You to Survive – Hezekiah Walker and The Love Fellowship Choir
36. In the Arms of an Angel – Sarah McLachlan
37. We Fall Down – Donnie McClurkin
38. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
39. Stand – Donnie McClurkin
40. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
41. We Shall Overcome – Traditional
42. I’ll Be Missing You – Puff Daddy and Faith Evans
43. Lift Every Voice and Sing – James Weldon Johnson
44. Nearer My God to Thee – Traditional
45. I Am Not Forgotten – Israel Houghton
46. How Great Thou Art – Traditional
47. You’ll Never Walk Alone – Mahalia Jackson
48. The Sound of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel
49. He Has His Hands On You – Marvin Sapp
50. Auld Lang Syne – Traditional
51. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Aretha Franklin
52. Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
53. Morning Has Broken – Cat Stevens
54. A Time for Us – Nino Rota
55. Let It Be – The Beatles
56. Broken Halos – Chris Stapleton
57. Never Would Have Made It – Marvin Sapp
58. Don’t Cry for Me Argentina – Julie Covington
59. Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
60. Old Rugged Cross – Traditional
61. Hold On – Yolanda Adams
62. The Way We Were – Barbra Streisand
63. You’ll Never Walk Alone – Gerry & The Pacemakers
64. His Strength is Perfect – Cece Winans
65. He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother – The Hollies
66. We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn
67. Keep On Movin’ – Soul II Soul
68. Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley
69. Oh How He Loves You and Me – Edwin Hawkins Singers
70. God Bless America – Irving Berlin
71. Memory – Barbra Streisand
72. Be Grateful – Walter Hawkins
73. Angels Among Us – Alabama
74. Amazing Grace – Aretha Franklin
75. My Way – Frank Sinatra
76. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
77. Hold On – Mighty Clouds of Joy
78. I Smile – Kirk Franklin
79. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
80. The Dance – Garth Brooks
81. You Are My Friend – Patti LaBelle
82. When the Saints Go Marching In – Traditional
83. On Eagle’s Wings – Michael Joncas
84. Angel – Sarah McLachlan
85. Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
86. Ave Maria – Andrea Bocelli
87. The Lord is My Shepherd – Traditional
88. The Long and Winding Road – The Beatles
89. There You’ll Be – Faith Hill
90. Into the West – Annie Lennox
91. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan
92. I Will Remember You – Sarah McLachlan
93. You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
94. I’m Already There – Lonestar
95. When You Believe – Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey
96. Fields of Gold – Sting
97. He Stopped Loving Her Today – George Jones
98. If I Die Young – The Band Perry
99. Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) – Billy Joel
100. Always On My Mind – Ane Brun

This extensive list provides a wide range of traditional funeral songs, from gospel hymns to pop ballads, offering diverse options to suit different preferences and memorial service styles.

Contemporary Funeral Songs: Modern Reflections on Life and Loss

In addition to traditional hymns, many contemporary songs offer poignant expressions of grief, remembrance, and hope. These songs often resonate with modern audiences and can provide a more personal and relatable connection to loss. Here are some contemporary funeral song selections chosen by a team, reflecting a range of genres and emotional tones:

1. Dancing in the Sky – Beverly Ann
2. Home – Aron Wright
3. Living Legend – Club Danger
4. Be Still – The Fray
5. I Shall Believe – Sheryl Crow
6. To Build a Home – The Cinematic Orchestra, Patrick Watson
7. Supermarket Flowers – Ed Sheeran
8. Future Days (Acoustic) – Eddie Vedder
9. Heart – Rainbow Kitten Surprise
10. See You Again – Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth
11. See You Again – Beth
12. These Are Days – 10,000 Maniacs
13. Wonderwall – Zella Day
14. Lay Me Down – Sam Smith
15. I Will Always Return – Bryan Adams
16. The Story – Brandi Carlile
17. Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root
18. When We Were Young – Adele
19. Amazing Grace (Chains Are Gone) – Pentatonix
20. Do You Remember – Jack Johnson
21. In Christ Alone – Christina Grimmie
22. When I Get Where I’m Going – Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton
23. I Will Follow You Into the Dark – Death Cab for Cutie
24. Proof of Your Love – King & Country
25. Home – Edith Whiskers
26. My Best Friend – Tim McGraw
27. Work Song – Hozier
28. Biscuits – Kacey Musgraves
29. Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
30. Waves – Imagine Dragons
31. I Lived – OneRepublic
32. 7 Years Old – Lukas Graham
33. Excavate – Macklemore, Saint Claire
34. Gonna Fly Now – Bill Conti
35. Solsbury Hill – Peter Gabriel
36. Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
37. Yet – Nathan Morris

This selection of contemporary funeral songs showcases the evolving landscape of memorial music, offering options that speak to modern sensibilities while still conveying deep emotion and respect.

Choosing the Right Funeral Song: Personalization and Meaning

Ultimately, the best funeral song is one that holds personal significance and appropriately honors the deceased. Consider these factors when making your selection:

• Personal Preferences of the Deceased: Did your loved one have a favorite song, genre, or artist? Incorporating their musical tastes is a deeply personal tribute.
• Reflecting Their Life: Choose songs that reflect the personality, values, and significant moments in the life of the deceased.
• Providing Comfort and Solace: Select music that will offer comfort and support to grieving family and friends.
• Religious or Spiritual Beliefs: If religion or spirituality was important to the deceased, consider hymns or songs with spiritual themes.
• The Tone of the Service: Decide on the overall tone you wish to create – solemn, celebratory, reflective, or hopeful – and choose music accordingly.

By carefully considering these aspects, you can select funeral songs that create a meaningful and personalized tribute, providing a lasting musical remembrance for your loved one.

We hope this guide serves as a helpful resource for families and funeral professionals seeking to incorporate meaningful music into memorial services. If you have further suggestions for funeral songs, we invite you to share them, helping to expand this resource for others during times of bereavement.