Funeral Songs: A Guide to Choosing Music for Memorial Services

Music holds a profound power, acting as a universal language that resonates deeply within us. It’s often intertwined with our most cherished memories and significant life events. In times of grief and remembrance, music becomes especially poignant, offering solace, reflection, and a way to honor loved ones. Choosing the right Funeral Songs is a deeply personal process, and this guide is designed to help you navigate the selection, providing a comprehensive list of options to consider for a meaningful memorial service.

Selecting music for a funeral or memorial service is a thoughtful way to personalize the tribute and create a lasting memory. The songs you choose can reflect the personality, values, and passions of the deceased, offering comfort to those who are mourning and celebrating a life well-lived. This curated list of funeral songs encompasses both traditional hymns and contemporary pieces, ensuring a range of choices to suit diverse tastes and preferences.

Traditional Funeral Songs and Hymns

For generations, certain songs and hymns have served as cornerstones of funeral services, providing familiar and comforting melodies during times of sorrow. These traditional funeral songs often carry themes of hope, remembrance, and faith, offering a sense of continuity and shared experience. Here is a selection of 100 timeless pieces, presented in no particular order, that have resonated with individuals and families for years:

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 of traditional funeral songs provides a strong foundation for creating a meaningful service. However, personal preferences and contemporary tastes often lead families to seek out more modern selections.

Contemporary Funeral Songs: Our Team’s Personal Choices

To offer a broader perspective, we at Gather polled our team members to discover the songs they would choose for their own funerals. This collection reflects a more modern sensibility, featuring songs that are deeply personal, emotionally resonant, and perhaps less traditional, yet equally fitting for a memorial service.

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 showcases the diversity of musical tastes and the evolving nature of funeral music. From pop ballads to indie anthems, these songs offer a contemporary approach to honoring a life.

How to Choose the Right Funeral Songs

Selecting the perfect funeral songs can feel daunting during a time of grief. Here are some helpful considerations to guide you through the process:

• Reflect the Deceased’s Personality: Consider the music the deceased loved, their favorite genres, and songs that held special meaning for them. Did they have a song that always made them smile or a genre they were passionate about? Incorporating these personal touches creates a truly meaningful tribute.
• Consider the Tone of the Service: Think about the overall feeling you want to create at the funeral. Do you envision a somber and reflective atmosphere, or a more uplifting celebration of life? Music can significantly influence the mood, so choose songs that align with the desired tone.
• Think About the Message: Funeral songs often convey messages of love, loss, hope, and remembrance. Select songs whose lyrics resonate with the life of the deceased and offer comfort to the mourners. Do you want to focus on their faith, their love for family, or their zest for life?
• Involve Family and Friends: Gather input from close family members and friends when choosing music. Sharing memories and preferences can lead to meaningful song selections that everyone feels connected to.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Be Unique: While traditional songs are comforting, don’t hesitate to choose less conventional pieces that truly represent the individual. A favorite song from a movie soundtrack, a beloved pop song, or even an instrumental piece can be incredibly fitting.
• Check Music Licensing: If you are a funeral home or service provider, remember to ensure you have the necessary music performance licenses to play copyrighted music publicly, whether live or streamed.

Choosing funeral songs is a deeply personal act of remembrance. By considering these factors and exploring the diverse lists provided, you can create a soundtrack that beautifully honors the life of your loved one.

Gather’s Commitment

At Gather, we understand the importance of creating meaningful experiences during times of loss. We hope this resource of funeral songs provides comfort and guidance as you plan a service that truly reflects the life and legacy of your loved one. If you have further song suggestions, we welcome you to share them with us.

For funeral homes and crematories seeking to enhance their services, Gather offers case management software designed to streamline collaboration with families and create more meaningful experiences. To learn more about how Gather can support your funeral service business, we invite you to book a demo today.