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 mom, you can say what she meant to you while also letting people know the kind of person she was. That’s what music does.
When choosing funeral songs to include in the playlist for your mom, it’s important to keep in mind that the song selections should be in accordance with her tastes, rather than just playing the popular ones. If there were any songs that were precious to her or describe her, be sure to include them in your playlist.
But with the vast variety of songs that exist, coming up with a mere 10 or 20 songs can seem like a daunting task. Which songs to include? Which ones would be apt? Well luckily for you, we’ve made a list of the 19 best funeral songs for mom.
1) Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Israel Kamakawiwoʻole)
There’s a certain magical charm to this song that brings a smile to anyone’s face when they hear it. Perhaps it’s Israel’s singing, perhaps it’s the simple ukelele, or maybe it’s the beautiful lyrics. But what’s certain is that this song will remind you that it’s not all doom and gloom. It never is. Happy songs can also be included in a playlist of funeral songs.
2) Forever Young (Rod Stewart)
Stewart has said that Forever Young was one of his favorite songs due to the fact that it was a song about his children. For most parents, their children are a big part of their lives and are always on the back of their minds.
3) Smile (Nat King Cole)
Your parents play a major role in shaping who you are as a person. Cole sings about how this influence is carried through by singing about the advice that would be given to your younger selves.
4) You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban)
Dedicated to all parents worldwide, this song serves as a Thank You to all the parents who kept striving to keep their children going through the tough times.
5) Live Forever (Oasis)
This is a song that reminds us that our loved ones never truly leave us, for they live on through our memories of them. A funeral service is about remembering our loved ones, and this classic song reminds us that it’s never really over.
6) Roses for Mama (C.W. McCall)
Losing your parents as a young child is a harrowing experience. Roses For Mama is about a young boy who’s buying flowers for his mother’s grave.
7) There You’ll Be (Faith Hill)
Throughout our lives, there are some people that we grow to rely on. These people are with us throughout thick and thin and they could be your friend, parent, better half, or even your pet. This song is a ‘Thank You Note’ to those who have always been there for you.
8) Broken Halos (Chris Stapleton)
Just like us, the ones we lost should also move on. Because life goes on. Broken Halos is a song about how your loved ones eventually become angels that guide others, just like dads do throughout their lives.
9) Ave Maria
One of the most popular funeral songs, this timeless classical piece brings in a sense of tranquility and peace to the funeral service.
10) In My Life (The Beatles)
A song about introspection, In My Life talks of how everyone leads different lives that ultimately has some meaning.
11) My Way (Frank Sinatra)
Being your own person is the central theme of the song, and that could exactly be the send-off that your loved one deserved and needs. A popular funeral song for older generations, this song’s relevance makes it a perfect song that is apt for an older loved one.
12) Holes in the Floor of Heaven (Steve Wariner)
Sometimes, the ones who guided us through life might eventually leave us behind. Holes In The Floor Of Heaven is a sort of reassurance that even though they might’ve passed on, your loved ones are watching over you from the beyond.
13) Moonlight Sonata [1st Movement] (Beethoven)
While the 2nd and 3rd movements are well known for their unique and fast-paced sound, the 1st movement starts it off with an almost indescribable sadness. It is perhaps the perfect peaceful send-off for your mom.
14) Candle in the Wind (Elton John)
Perhaps the most well-known funeral song given its context, Candle In the Wind was written in memory of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years prior. It was re-written and released 25 years later following the tragic death of Princess Diana.
15) You’ll Never Walk Alone (Judy Garland)
A song about having your loved ones by your side, even when it might seem like they’re not, Garland sings that whatever happens in life, you’ll never walk alone. This makes it one of the best memorial songs for mom, because they’re the ones who stand by you through thick and thin.
16) What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
Another classic and uplifting song, What A Wonderful World never fails to give you the hope that you would require following the death of a loved one. For all its flaws, humanity still has a way of redeeming itself. And that is the wonderful world that Armstrong is singing about.
17) A Song For Mama (Boyz II Men)
For many people, their mothers are the most important people in their lives. And that isn’t without good reason. This song is to cherish the memory of your loving mother.
18) I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)
A timeless classic, I Will Always Love You is yet another song about the eternal nature of love, and how love transcends everything.
19) Headlights (Eminem ft. Nate Ruess)
While he used to share a rocky relationship with his mother, Eminem proved that family will always find a way to fix themselves with this song. Headlights is about reuniting with his estranged mother. You might find yourself missing your mom, and this song can help in reaffirming what she meant to you.
Funerals can be somber affairs, and it should be noted that creating a playlist and playing it is done in accordance with the deceased’s wishes from when they were alive. Now that you’ve read about the best funeral songs for mom, you might want a more comprehensive guide on creating a general playlist. In this case, check out the Top 30 Funeral Songs of All Time.
