It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t like music. From the way that a song can make you smile to the way that it reminds you of someone, music is all-encompassing. It transcends language and can sometimes be a way of expressing yourself without actually saying anything. And even when you’re gone, people can pay you a tribute via heartfelt funeral songs.
While funerals are somber affairs where you say your final goodbyes, it’s also a time to show what the deceased meant to you. And sometimes, a song can convey all of your feelings.
When creating a funeral playlist for your loved one, it’s essential to keep in mind that our suggestions are merely suggestions. If there are songs that mean something to you and your loved one, then be sure to include them in your playlist.
But with a vast variety of songs, choosing the pieces for a playlist can become a bit overwhelming. What if your loved one was a Beatles fan? What if you want songs specifically for your dad or mom? The melodies you choose can vary widely depending on such factors.
But we’re here to help you out. We’ve got recommendations for almost all kinds of funeral songs. From older classics for your Grandparents to clever ones for a celebration of life ceremony, we’ve got you covered.
So let’s get started on that playlist.
Table of Contents
- Top 30 Funeral Songs Of All Time
- Top 19 Modern Songs For A Funeral
- 24 Happy Funeral Songs For A Warm Farewell
- 16 Best Songs To Play At A Celebration Of Life Ceremony
- 10 Beatles songs to play at a Funeral
- 20 Best Country Songs To Play At A Funeral
- Top 21 Funeral Songs For An Elderly Loved One
- 10 Best Alan Jackson Songs To Play At A Funeral
- Top 10 George Strait songs to play at a Funeral
- 23 Greatest Funeral Songs for Grandma
- 21 Best Funeral Songs for Dad
- 19 Best Funeral Songs for Mom
- 16 Touching Songs About Daughters
- 16 Wonderful Songs About Sons
- 12 Best Catholic Funeral Songs
- 24 Best Funeral Songs For Grandpa
- 10 Best Pieces Of Classical Music For A Funeral
- 18 Best Non-Religious Funeral Songs
- 16 Best Rock Songs For A Funeral
- 18 Heart-Rending Songs About Losing A Child
- 19 Best Songs About Moving On After A Loss
- 18 Amazing Songs About Missing Someone
- 21 Songs About Death For Grieving Your Loss
Top 30 Funeral Songs Of All Time
There is a song for almost every single experience or feeling that someone has had in their life. It’s this relatable nature that makes certain songs unique for certain people.
But then, choosing a handful of songs to include in a funeral playlist can seem a bit daunting. Which songs to include? Which ones would be apt? Are there songs that perfectly describe your loved one?
We’ve gathered a list of the top 30 funeral songs to give you ideas on which ones to include in the funeral playlist you’re preparing.
From old classics like Candle In The Wind by Sir Elton John to more modern ones like Lay Me Down by Sam Smith, we’ve compiled songs that are apt for any funeral.
Click here for our recommendations for the top 30 funeral songs.
Top 19 Modern Songs For A Funeral
With time, the customs and beliefs held by people have started to shift towards a more modern mindset. Nowadays, it isn’t uncommon to see someone including a playlist or requesting one for their funeral service. People have also started to lean towards more modern, personal songs in favor of religious songs.
But what if you’re tired of hearing Frank Sinatra sing about his way, and you want to play something newer but aren’t sure where to start? Well, that’s where our list of the top 20 modern songs for a funeral comes in.
From heart-wrenching songs like Jealous by Josh Daniel to more uplifting ones like You Raise Me by Josh Groban, we’ve got the perfect mix of modern songs to play for a funeral.
24 Happy Funeral Songs For A Warm Farewell
Funerals are about mourning your loved ones. But that’s not all. They are also to celebrate the life they lived. And also to let them know that you will be able to carry on. Choosing some happy songs for a funeral playlist is always advisable. It helps improve the moods of those gathered while also giving them the strength to carry on.
16 Best Songs To Play At A Celebration Of Life Ceremony
Funerals are usually occasions where we mourn the loss of loved ones. But that might not hold for everyone. Some people prefer a celebration of life ceremony over a funeral. As the name suggests, it celebrates the life your loved one lived rather than mourning their death.
10 Beatles songs to play at a Funeral
The Beatles are a timeless band that requires no introduction. They took the world by storm, and Beatlemania was unlike anything the world had seen. Maybe your parents might’ve been fans of the Fab Four, or your friend might have been a classic rock fan. And what better way to cherish their memories than through a couple of Beatles songs during their funeral?
So which are the ten best Beatles songs to play at a funeral? Click here to find out.
20 Best Country Songs To Play At A Funeral
Country songs are known for focusing on love and life, sometimes to a philosophical extent. If your loved one were a fan of country songs, they certainly would like a couple of country songs to be included in their funeral playlist.
But which are the 20 best country songs to include in a funeral playlist? Find out here.
Top 21 Funeral Songs For An Elderly Loved One
Music has always been known for its power to move hearts. For those of us who shared a close bond with the elders around us, playing some songs that encapsulate what they meant could be your way of gaining some closure over their loss.
10 Best Alan Jackson Songs To Play At A Funeral
Country songs are known for moving their listeners, and few are better known for their country songs than Alan Jackson. While his rich and deep voice is naturally suited to country, he has often forayed into other genres. But no matter what genre he sings, his lyrics will strike a chord within your heart.
In case your loved one was an Alan Jackson fan, or you would like to include a couple of his songs in a funeral playlist, we’ve got you covered.
Top 10 George Strait songs to play at a Funeral
George Strait is the ‘King Of Country.’ The Texan has been putting out hits after hits for almost 50 years. Country songs are known for moving their audience, which makes it ideal to include them in funeral playlists. In case your loved one was a George Strait fan, or you would like to include a couple of his songs in a funeral playlist, we’ve got you covered.
Which songs by Goerge Strait should you include in a funeral playlist? These are our recommendations.
23 Greatest Funeral Songs for Grandma
Grandma’s are special people. They’re the ones who always take your side during arguments. The ones who’ll stuff you with food even when you’re full. Losing such a sweet person in your life can hit hard, and it can be hard to express how you feel through words.
By making a playlist of funeral songs for grandma, you can tell what she meant to you while also letting people know her kind of person.
Click here to read about the best funeral songs for your grandma.
21 Best Funeral Songs for Dad
Fathers are one of the most influential people in our lives. They’re always there to listen to our problems. They try to cheer us up with their ‘jokes’ when we’re down. And they’re always there for you, no matter what. And losing them can be challenging, and coming to terms with the loss is even more complicated. Honoring your dad’s memory with a particular song could be the final farewell gift you can give him.
Click here for the best funeral songs to give your dad the send-off he deserves.
19 Best Funeral Songs for Mom
For most people, their mothers mean the world to them. They’re the ones who’ve been with you since day one (literally). And while your dad will always be there for you, there’s just a comforting aura about moms that you can’t get anywhere else. Losing your mom can be one of the hardest things, and it can be hard to find a way of expressing your emotions in the aftermath.
By making a playlist of funeral songs for her, you can tell what she meant to you while also letting people know her kind of person. That’s what music does.
When choosing funeral songs to include in the playlist for your mom, it’s essential to remember that the song selections should be as per her tastes, rather than just playing the popular ones. If any songs were precious to her, include them in your playlist.
If you’re confused about what songs to include in a funeral playlist for your mom, We’ve made a list of the 19 best funeral songs for mom.
16 Touching Songs About Daughters
In life, there are times when your emotions can get the better of you, and you might be at a loss for words. In such situations, music can serve as a way of expressing your emotions.
Parents share a unique bond with their children. They’re often the most important people in your life. And when it comes to your little girl, there’s nothing you wouldn’t do for her. Finding songs that perfectly encapsulate what your daughter means to you can be challenging.
When choosing the songs to include in the playlist for your daughter, it’s important to remember that the song selections should be per her tastes. It means that some of them might not always be in agreement with yours.
That’s the thing about kids. They teach you to be better versions of yourselves even without trying. Include any songs that are precious to her or describe her in your playlist.
For the list of songs about daughters, click here.
16 Wonderful Songs About Sons
Emotions can be a tricky thing. Sometimes, when you fail to express how you truly feel, no matter how hard you try. In such situations, music can serve as a way of expressing your emotions.
Parents share a unique bond with their children. They’re often the most important people in your life. They’re the ones you’d do anything to protect; they’re your legacy. And it can be hard to find songs that perfectly encapsulate what your son means to you.
But with the wide variety of existing songs, coming up with a mere 10 or 20 songs can seem daunting. Which songs to include? Which ones would be apt? Well, luckily for you, we’ve made a list of 16 songs about sons.
You might also be interested in reading:
12 Best Catholic Funeral Songs
Losing a loved one is always hard, but that does not mean we should neglect the subsequent ceremonies. Our traditions differ greatly depending on our faith, and the funeral rites for Catholics involve singing hymns.
The music you choose for a catholic funeral should be to uplift the spirits of those attending the ceremony while also remembering Christ’s triumph over death.
Since most churches have choirs, their task is performing the music live rather than playing pre-recorded tracks as you would do with non-religious songs.
But even with Catholic songs, there exists a wide variety to choose from, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best catholic funeral songs to play at your loved one’s service.
24 Best Funeral Songs For Grandpa
Your grandparents are perhaps the first ‘old people’ you meet and befriend as a child. They’re the ones who always stick up for you when you get into trouble with your parents. And your grandpa could be the person who took you out fishing or camping when you were a kid. They could’ve been your introduction to a time long forgotten by the people of your generation.
Losing your grandpa is always challenging, and you might struggle to find a way of expressing yourself. Making a funeral playlist for your grandpa could be your way of showing what he meant to you while also showing those in attendance the kind of person he was.
When choosing funeral songs to include in the playlist for your grandpa, it’s essential to remember that the song selections should be by his tastes, rather than just playing popular songs. Include any songs that were precious to him or describe him in your playlist.
Check out the best funeral songs for your grandpa to let him know how much he meant to you.
10 Best Pieces Of Classical Music For A Funeral
Classical music is something special. Written by people that came from an entirely different time, these timeless pieces are still capable of evoking the strongest emotions in us. Despite the lack of lyrical content, the melodies and arrangements are all it takes to express your feelings.
Classical musicians are well known for living lives of sorrow, which they use as inspiration for many of their works. As such, a wide variety of classical pieces can be played at a funeral.
18 Best Non-Religious Funeral Songs
Funerals can be challenging. The loss of a loved one always hits hard, and you might not be in a situation where you’re capable of expressing how you feel. It’s in these situations that music comes through.
While religious songs and hymns are always popular for funerals and memorial services, they might not be what your loved one wanted. With time, the customs and beliefs held by people have started to shift towards a more modern mindset.
Nowadays, it isn’t uncommon to see someone choose songs that are personal to them, rather than just doing things traditionally. Choosing a non-religious funeral playlist could be for several reasons. Maybe your loved one wasn’t religious, or they had some songs they wanted to be there at their funeral. Maybe certain songs are unique to you and your loved one.
See what the best non-religious funeral songs to play at a funeral are.
16 Best Rock Songs For A Funeral
Rock and roll have been around for some time. From iconic bands like Led Zeppelin and Guns’ N’ Roses to solo acts like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, there’s quite a collection of timeless rock artists and songs. However, rock is no longer the beast it once was. But even then, the genre still has a passionate fan following, and there are some songs capable of tugging at your heartstrings, despite the hardcore image rockstars give off.
If your loved one was a fan of rock songs, or there were just some rock ballads that they were fans of, you might think of including them amongst the funeral songs in a funeral playlist.
18 Heart-Rending Songs About Losing A Child
For parents, the number one thing they’re concerned about is the well-being of their child. They’re willing to sacrifice their dreams and goals for the sake of the happiness of their children if it seems necessary. And losing them is something that they never even consider.
But sometimes, life happens, and you could be left without your child by your side. It’s perhaps the worst thing to happen to a parent, and moving on from such a loss can seem impossible.
It can be hard to pick out a playlist when you’re mourning the loss of your child, so we’ve picked out a list of 18 heartbreaking songs about losing a child to help you in the process of grieving your loss.
19 Best Songs About Moving On After A Loss
Losing someone can be a painful experience. Be it a death or just growing apart, it’ll take time to come to terms with the fact that your loved one will no longer be a part of your life. In such times, music can be a great tool in helping you overcome your loss and move on with your life. Because no matter how hard things get, it’ll get better eventually.
Music can be a way of processing the feelings that you’re bottling up inside. We’ve put together a list of some songs about moving on to help you get over your loss. Creating a playlist can be a distraction while also allowing you to process your feelings in the long run.
Find out the best songs to listen to move on after losing a loved one.
18 Amazing Songs About Missing Someone
Few things in life hurt more than missing someone. In our short time on earth, we’d like to spend this time with those most precious. But this may not always be possible. Maybe your loved one moved away, or you grew apart with them due to circumstances, or perhaps they passed away. Losing someone is always hard, no matter how it happens.
When creating a playlist consisting of songs about missing someone, it’s essential to remember that the song selections we’re recommending are just that. If there are songs that are personal to you or your loved one, you can also include them.
These are our recommendations for songs about missing someone, whatever the reason for separation.
21 Songs About Death For Grieving Your Loss
Life is full of ups and downs. But sometimes, the downs can make you feel a bit overwhelmed. We get it. Losing a loved one is always challenging; it can all get too much to process simultaneously. Music has a way of helping you out during your difficult times. It can amplify happiness and be a shoulder to lean on when you’re sad. That’s the beauty of music.
When creating a playlist consisting of songs about death, it’s essential to remember that the song selections we’re recommending are just that. If there are songs that are personal to you or your loved one, you can definitely include them.
