What are the most popular funeral songs and how do I choose the best one?

Choosing the right funeral song is an important part of making your service more personal and reflective of yourself or your departed loved one. This choice is a personal one and there are not any set rules that should influence your decision. However, this doesn’t make picking a funeral song any easier if you are already struggling to decide. To help you decide on an appropriate song, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best funeral songs covering a range of genres from classical to contemporary pop. If you need some inspiration at this difficult time, keep reading as we take you through popular options for funeral services.

What is the ideal funeral song?

Music is a powerful tool for evoking feelings and memories, therefore the ideal funeral song is one that can help you to achieve this. No matter if you want something uplifting to lighten the mood at the request of your loved one, or if you want something that allows for a few minutes of quiet reflection, the ideal funeral song will align with the intentions of your service. 

It’s also important to note that some services will have just one or two songs, but longer services may have three to five. Most people consider the final song to be the most important, but having these extra choices can help your service to be more personal.

What are the most popular songs played at a funeral?

Despite there being countless options to choose from when it comes to funeral songs, there are a few standout numbers that are repeatedly chosen at services either due to their lyrical resonance or comforting tune. The most popular funeral songs include:

• Time to Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Eva Cassidy
• We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn
• Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Middler 
• Let It Be – The Beatles 
• I’ll be Missing You – Puff Daddy and Faith Evans
• Only Time – Enya

Classical funeral songs

Classical music is ideal for services where you’d like to have some time to reflect and think about the person lost. Some also find classical music to be very comforting as the angelic harmonies can be soothing. Popular classical and modern classical pieces include: 

• Albinoni – Adagio in G minor
• Schubert – Ave Maria
• Land of my fathers – Band of the Welsh Guards
• River Flows in You – Yiruma 
• Pie Jesu – Fauré
• Prayer – Hayley Westenra

Alternatively, you can search for a classical rendition of their favourite song or ask a musician to create an acoustic piece if you want something more personalised.

Modern funeral songs

Lots of people choose ‘modern’ songs to send off their loved ones. To clarify, in this context, modern doesn’t have to mean in the past decade as it could be any song from the past 60 or so years. This may be a favourite childhood tune of the departed, or they may be chosen because the lyrics have a more relatable meaning for family and friends. Some of the most popular modern songs are: 

• The Night We Met – Lord Huron
• My Way – Frank Sinatra
• Stairway to Heaven – Led Zepplin
• Man of the Hour – Pearl Jam
• Hotel California – The Eagles
• Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
• Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds

Uplifting funeral songs

Whilst the passing of someone close is often a sad and difficult time, the funeral doesn’t have to be. Many people state that they want attendees to celebrate their life, and try not to feel sad at the thought of their death. Some people may even choose an uplifting or comical song because that is how they want to be remembered, as someone who could brighten your mood or make you laugh even during the hardest times. If you’re looking for an uplifting song that is still appropriate for a funeral, the following ideas are worth considering:

• California Dreamin’ – The Mamas & Papas
• Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum
• What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
• Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Heroes – David Bowie
• Live Forever – Oasis

Funeral Hymns

For those following a religious funeral, you do not have to choose a recorded song and can instead request for traditional hymns to be sung during the service, or played electronically. If you feel that a hymn would be more poignant, some of the following options may be more appropriate for your service: 

• The Day Thou Gavest Lord Has Ended
• Jerusalem
• Amazing Grace
• How Great Thou Art
• Going Home
• The Lord is My Shepherd
• Be Not Afraid

Best funeral songs for family members

If you want a funeral song that pays homage to a family member through the lyrics, there are plenty of options to choose from. We’ve compiled a list of our favourites below organised by relation to offer some inspiration.

Funeral songs for parents

Losing a parent is an extremely difficult thing, and it is often difficult to find the right words or music to describe your feelings in this time of grief. The selections below may be able to help you express and process your feelings towards losing your mother or father.

• Everything I Own – Bread
• There You’ll Be – Faith Hill 
• Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross 
• Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
• Go Rest High On That Mountain – Vince Gill

Funeral songs for grandparents

Older and more classic songs are typically chosen for grandparents as this is the music that they may have grown up with or enjoyed listening to. Grandparents often find meaning in songs which are slower and have meaningful lyrics, so these songs may be suitable:

• Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
• Vaya Con Dios – Les Paul & Mary Ford
• Ribbon In The Sky – Stevie Wonder
• Angels – Robbie Williams

Funeral songs for siblings

Losing someone whom you grew up with is not easy, especially when the death is unexpected or sudden. The songs below can help you to express your love for your sibling and how much you’ll miss them.

• Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
• The Love You Left Behind – Michael Schulte
• Wait – M83
• Hear You Me – Jimmy Eat World

Funeral songs for children

Parents often choose a song from their child’s favourite film or television programme for their funeral, but if this does not seem like a suitable option for you, the below options may offer a more poignant alternative to help you give them the perfect send-off.

• Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
• Father and Daughter – Paul Simon
• Beautiful Boy – John Lennon
• Gone Too Soon – Daughtry

Get further planning advice with Heart of England Co-op Funerals

We understand that planning a funeral can be an overwhelming and difficult process, especially when dealing with grief. However, we’re here to support you through the entire process. No matter if you have questions about the music choice, or you want to know more about the process. Contact us today or book an appointment to talk with a funeral director. Alternatively, if you are not yet ready, you can read more on our blog.