No matter what the circumstances are, losing a loved one is always a difficult process to navigate. And deciding on memorial and funeral songs for the service can be the hardest part of grieving.
Music is a huge part of our lives - from the memories it can evoke, to the overwhelming journey of emotion it can take us on, the pressure to find the perfect memorial song can be both painful and devastating. But, when everyone hears that one, quintessential song, it can be cathartic, too.
Trust & Will is about more than just Estate Planning...we’re here to help you get through those other difficult aspects of loss, too. So if you’ve lost someone close to you recently and you’re looking for the perfect funeral song for their service, these may help. You can find, stream, or download these songs on Apple Music or your preferred service.
Popular Funeral Songs for Parents
The pain of losing a parent is like no other we’ll experience in life. Emotions run high during this time, and it’s not uncommon to feel intense pressure to plan a celebration of life that represents the love and generosity mom or dad shared with you. Here are some of the best songs for a funeral for mom or dad.
Goodbye’s the Saddest Word, Celine Dion - This ballad, sung by Celine Dion, speaks to the loss of a mother unlike almost any other song out there.
Thank You for Being My Dad, John Barker - Even if you didn’t tell dad how you felt when he was alive, the lyrics to John Barker’s Thank You for Being My Dad express how a son is shaped though his relationship with his father. A heartfelt, beautiful song that can be exactly what you’re trying to say in a funeral song for your father.
What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong - With lyrics that everyone knows, and a touching tribute to the lovely world mom or dad created for you, What a Wonderful World reminds us of all the things we’ll miss about mom or dad.
In the Living Years, Mike and the Mechanics - A song that many of us grew up hearing mom and dad singing, In the Living Years is an idyllic tribute and way to reflect on an entire generation.
Into the Mystic, Van Morrison - A heartfelt blend of whimsical and spiritual, Van Morrison’s Into the Mystic offers the best lyrics out there to say goodbye through a song.
Religious Funeral Songs
Finding the right religious song for a funeral might be easier when planning music for a service. So many of us have songs or hymns from church services of our youth that take us right back there.
I Can Only Imagine, Mercy Me - Inspired by the lead singer’s loss of his father, the heart wrenching I Can Only Imagine shares how the love between parent and child is unmatched in any other relationship and our life.
Amazing Grace, Various Artists - The classic Christian hymn Amazing Grace beautifully expresses a theme of the redemption that’s offered by the mercy of God. Any number of renditions can be a lovely way to say goodbye.
My Sweet Lord, George Harrison - With a sweet, universal message about a personal relationship with God, George Harrison’s first solo single after creating hit after hit with the Beatles turns out to be one of the best funeral songs you could select.
Country Funeral Songs
Saying goodbye to a country music aficionado offers the opportunity to choose from a wide selection of songs, all of which would all be ideal for the occasion.
Over You, Miranda Lambert - Expressing the anger that many of us feel after a loss, Miranda Lambert’s Over You is full of raw emotion that aptly describes the pain of trying to understand why we lost somebody.
Three Wooden Crosses, Randy Travis - If you’re searching for a song that expresses how important somebody was in the lives of others, Three Wooden Crosses may be just the song you’re looking for.
Don’t Blink, Kenny Chesney - Kenny Chesney’s Don’t Blink, about taking the time to appreciate every moment we have in life, is a song that anyone can appreciate. Not just for country fans, it’s a reminder of how we should take the time to stop and smell the roses, because life goes by so fast.
Uplifting Funeral Songs
Funerals and memorial services are not always just a time for sadness. Celebrating a life well-lived is a time that many people find closure in. Especially if you’re remembering someone who was the life of the party or who always found the best in every situation, sometimes an uplifting song is exactly what you need to say goodbye.
My Way, Frank Sinatra - When a life was full of love and spirit, it might just make sense to pay tribute through an uplifting song like My Way that celebrates that person who always brought the best out in everyone.
Three Little Birds, Bob Marley - If you’re looking for a positive and celebratory song, the gentle reminder in the swaying sounds of Bob Marley might be perfect. Rhythmic and melodic words soothe guests with the message that we don’t have to worry, because everything’s gonna be alright.
Firework, Katy Perry - If you want an unusual and unexpectedly uplifting song that belts out throughout a memorial service, Firework by Katy Perry might be one of the best funeral songs out there. The song is a powerful celebration of the things in life that make us who we are while reminding us of the unique beauty each of us has inside.
Other Top Funeral Songs
Haven’t quite found what you’re looking for yet? Some of these other memorial service songs may fit the bill in just the right way.
Time to Say Goodbye, Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli - Italian opera powerhouse (and visually impaired) Andrea Bocelli, along with Sarah Brightman, sing a powerful and moving serenade to say goodbye to your loved one.
Over the Rainbow, Various Artists - Whether you use the Hawaiian-influenced rendition by famed IZ, or a more traditional version of the sweet-lullaby, Somewhere Over the Rainbow evokes emotions of joy and lets the tears flow all in the same song.
Knocking on Heaven’s Door, Bob Dylan - There really isn’t another song quite like Knocking on Heaven’s Door when you’re saying your final goodbyes. The title says it all, and whether you’re grieving a long life, well-lived, or a life cut too short, Dylan’s words express exactly what we’re all feeling.
Finding that perfect funeral song for mom, dad, friend, loved one or anyone else in your life can feel overwhelming, especially since there are so many out there to choose from. That’s why we wanted to create a list of some of the best funeral song selections for any type of service you may be planning.
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