The Best Funeral Songs of All Time

Music touches us at a very deep, intimate, and basic level. So choosing the best funeral songs for a loved one’s service can be a daunting and emotional task.

Which song, or songs, should you pick? Is a particular song appropriate? What is the best funeral song for dad, or for a country music enthusiast, or for a Christian?

Since each person is unique, we can’t make those decisions for you. However, we can point out some of the most beloved songs for funerals in a variety of genres and styles.

Funeral Songs by Category

These funeral songs cover every person, theme, and genre. We start with your go-to list of the 10 most popular funeral songs of all time, plus a broad list of 100 more songs for you to browse through. Then we list the top 5 or so by person, theme, and genre.

Jump to section:

10 Best Funeral Songs

These are the world’s favorite song choices for funerals and memorial services. Pulling works across all genres and styles, these are simply some of the most emotionally resonant songs ever written.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Amazing Grace by John Newton
My Way by Frank Sinatra
Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton
In the Arms of an Angel by Sarah McLachlan
Ave Maria by Franz Schubert
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

100 More Popular Funeral Songs

Next we have a list of 100 more popular funeral songs, listed alphabetically. These are songs for all types and tastes. Read further for funeral songs sorted by genre, person (dad, mom, spouse, etc), and style.

Afire Love by Ed Sheeran
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python
Angels by Robbie Williams
Beautiful Day by U2
Believe by Brooks & Dunn
Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin
Beyond the Sunset by Hank Williams
Blackbird by The Beatles
Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel
Broken Halos by Chris Stapleton
Bye Bye by Mariah Carey
Candle in the Wind by Elton John
The Circle of Life from The Lion King
The Dance by Garth Brooks
Dance With My Father by Luther Vandross
Danny Boy by Celtic Woman
Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan
Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Funeral for a Friend by Elton John
Going Home by Bill Gaither
Going Home by Mary Fahl
Gone Too Soon by Michael Jackson
Goodbye’s the Saddest Word by Celine Dion
Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
Hero by Mariah Carey
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith
If Heaven by Andy Griggs
If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away by Justin Moore
If I had Only Known by Reba McEntire
If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks
If You’re Reading This by Tim McGraw
I’ll Be Missing You by Sean Combs
I’ll Fly Away (traditional)
I’ll See You Again by Westlife
Imagine by John Lennon
I’m Already There by Lonestar
In Color by Jamey Johnson
In Loving Memory by Alter Bridge
In My Life by The Beatles
It Is Not Death to Die by Sovereign Grace Music
It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday by Boyz II Men
I’ve Had the Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
I Will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan
Keep Me in Your Heart for a While by Warren Zevon
Knocking on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan
Knocking on Heaven’s Door by Guns N’ Roses
The Last Waltz by Engelbert Humperdinck
The Last Words You Said by Sarah Brightman
Let Her Go by Passenger
Like You’ll Never See Me Again by Alicia Keys
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) by Billy Joel
Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens
My Angel by Kellie Pickler
My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion
Oh Very Young by Cat Stevens
Old and Wise by Alan Parsons Project
One More Day by Diamond Rio
One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey
Really Gonna Miss You by Smokey Robinson
Remember When by Alan Jackson
Sad Song by We The Kings
Satisfied Mind by Jeff Buckley (other versions by Porter Wagoner, Johnny Cash, The Byrds)
Save a Place for Me by Matthew West
See You On the Other Side by Ozzy Osbourne
See You Again by Carrie Underwood
See You Again by Wiz Khalifa
Sissy’s Song by Alan Jackson
Smile by Nat King Cole
Song for Mom by Jon Barker
Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran
Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver
Talking to My Angel by Melissa Etheridge
Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton
Thank You by Johnny Reid
Thank You For The Music by ABBA
There Will Be A Day by Jeremy Camp
There You’ll Be by Faith Hill
They Can’t Take That Away From Me by Frank Sinatra
This Is Just So Beautiful by Jenny & Tyler
Time After Time by Cindy Lauper
Time of Your Life by Green Day
To Where You Are by Josh Groban
Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds
Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) by Chris Rice
Well Done by Deitrick Haddon
We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn
When I Get Where I’m Going by Brad Paisley
When I’m Gone by Joey + Rory
Who You’d Be Today by Kenny Chesney
Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
With Hope by Steven Curtis Chapman
Yesterday by The Beatles
You’ll Be In My Heart by Phil Collins
You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry & The Pacemakers
You Should Be Here by Cole Swindell

Funeral Songs by Person

Below you’ll find funeral songs for dad, mom, grandma, grandpa, spouse, and child. These are songs written with that person in mind, and can be a helpful way to express your love for a special and beloved person in your life.

Best Funeral Songs for Dad

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Dance With My Father by Luther Vandross
Bye Bye by Mariah Carey
You Should Be Here by Cole Swindell
Satisfied Mind by Johnny Cash
Thank You For Being My Dad by Jon Barker

Check out a full list of the 21 Best Funeral Songs for Dad.

Best Funeral Songs for Mom

You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Goodbye’s the Saddest Word by Celine Dion
Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran
One More Day by Diamond Rio
There You’ll Be by Faith Hill
Sissy’s Song by Alan Jackson

See more funeral songs fitting for a mother in our article on the 21 Best Funeral Songs for Mom.

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Best Funeral Songs for Grandma

Smile by Nat King Cole
Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran
How Can I Help You Say Goodbye by Patty Loveless
My Angel by Kellie Pickler
Grandma’s Hands by Bill Withers

You’ll find more funeral music suggestions here: 21 Best Funeral Songs for Grandma.

Best Funeral Songs for Grandpa

We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn
When I Get Where I’m Going by Brad Paisley
Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum
Grandpa by Justin Moore
Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
In Color by Jamey Johnson

Here is our list of the 21 Best Funeral Songs for Grandpa.

Best Funeral Songs for Spouse

Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
They Can’t Take That Away From Me by Frank Sinatra
Angels by Robbie Williams
We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn
Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin
Remember When by Alan Jackson

Find more great funeral songs for a husband here and songs for a wife here.

Best Funeral Songs for a Child

Gone Too Soon by Michael Jackson
Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton
Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill
Who You’d Be Today by Kenny Chesney
Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle

More here: 17 Best Funeral Songs for Child Loss (Infants, Children, Teens)

Funeral Songs by Theme

Listing popular funeral songs by theme or mood can be somewhat subjective. Hopefully these uplifting, happy, sad, and funny funeral songs help you choose the perfect music for the service.

Uplifting Funeral Songs

What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Beautiful Day by U2
I’ll Fly Away (traditional)
Well Done by Deitrick Haddon
Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens

See more: 21 Most Uplifting Funeral Songs

Happy Funeral Songs

Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin
Thank You For The Music by ABBA
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye
Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum
I’ve Had the Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
Bring Me Sunshine by Morecambe and Wise

Here are 21 Happy Funeral Songs, perfect for a celebration of life.

Sad Funeral Songs

I Will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan
Time After Time by Cindy Lauper
Let Her Go by Passenger
Yesterday by The Beatles
The Last Waltz by Engelbert Humperdinck

See our full list of sad funeral songs here.

Funny Funeral Songs

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python
Keg on My Coffin by The Push Stars
Send Me To Glory In A Glad Bag by John Biggs
Happy Days Are Here Again by Annette Hanshaw
Jimmy Collin’s Wake by The Dropkick Murphys

Here are more funny (and pretty much inappropriate) songs for a funeral.

We also list the worst funeral songs you could possibly choose below, towards the end of the article. If you have a quirky or morbid sense of humor you will get a kick out of those “suggestions.”

Most Popular Funeral Songs by Genre

These are just a handful of the top funeral songs from several popular music genres. Whether your loved one was into country, jazz, rock, or classical, you’ll find a meaningful and appropriate song to play at the funeral here.

Traditional Funeral Songs

Amazing Grace by Soweto Gospel Choir
Danny Boy by Celtic Woman
His Eye Is on the Sparrow by Lauryn Hill
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot by Wallace Willis
In the Sweet By and By

More traditional songs for funerals.

Christian Funeral Hymns

Abide with Me
Amazing Grace
I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
It Is Well With My Soul
Rock of Ages

Contemporary Christian Funeral Songs

I Can Only Imagine
Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
There Will Be A Day by Jeremy Camp
Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) by Chris Rice
With Hope by Steven Curtis Chapman
It Is Not Death to Die by Bob Kauflin

Country Funeral Songs

Broken Halos by Chris Stapleton
When I Get Where I’m Going by Brad Paisley
Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill
One More Day by Diamond Rio
Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan

If you need more country music suggestions, here are our picks for the 21 Best Country Funeral Songs.

Gospel Funeral Songs

Amazing Grace by Judy Collins
I’ll Fly Away by Hank Williams
Just a Closer Walk With Thee by Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson
His Eye Is On the Sparrow by Whitney Houston
How Great Thou Art by Carrie Underwood

Modern Funeral Songs

See You Again by Wiz Khalifa
Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Slipped Away by Avril Lavigne
Angels by Robbie Williams

More: 21 Best Modern Funeral Songs

Pop/Rock Funeral Songs

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Knocking on Heaven’s Door by Guns N’ Roses
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye
Ocean Breathes Salty by Modest Mouse
Time of Your Life by Green Day
Keep Me in Your Heart for A While by Warren Zevon
Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Jazz Funeral Songs

Heaven by Duke Ellington
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Slow Blues by Oscar Peterson & Count Basie
Kathy’s Waltz by Dave Brubek
St. James Infirmary by Louis Armstrong
Stardust by Nat King Cole
Oh When the Saints Go Marching In by Louis Armstrong

More: 21 Best Jazz Funeral Songs

Classical & Instrumental Funeral Songs

Ave Maria by Franz Schubert; popular versions by Andrea Bocelli, Byoncé, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Frank Sinatra, and many more
Time After Time by Miles Davis
Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber
Pie Jesu by Gabriel Fauré
Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel

WORST Funeral Songs

Another One Bites the Dust by Queen
Highway to Hell by AC/DC
Celebration by Kool & The Gang
Stayin’ Alive by The Bee Gees
Ha Ha You’re Dead by Green Day
Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead from The Wizard of Oz

Funeral Songs FAQ

Do people play music at funerals?

Often, yes, people play music at funerals. This can be religious hymns sung by all, a favorite or meaningful song played over a slideshow, or instrumental music during a time of contemplation.

What are funeral songs called?

Funerals songs have traditionally been called a “dirge,” which is “a funeral song or tune, or one expressing mourning in commemoration of the dead.” (Definition from The Free Dictionary)

Another term for a funeral song is “elegy,” which refers to “a mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead.” (Definition from Dictionary.com)

But nowadays, practically speaking, most people just say “funeral songs.”

When should songs be played at a funeral?

The answer to this question will be determined by the type and tone of the funeral service.

Many religious services have music played or sung during incoming and outgoing processions as well as at other points during the liturgy.

For non-religious services, you can choose to play instrumental music or favorite songs during the procession times.

Some families choose to play a funeral song during a time of reflection of prayer. You can also select music to be played along with a slideshow. These elements are typically done either just before or just after the eulogy.

How many songs are played at a funeral?

It is typical to have music playing before and after the funeral service, so be sure to have an appropriate and lengthy selection of music to be played in the 15 minutes before and after the service.

For a religious funeral, there will often be 1-3 songs or hymns sung by the congregation during the service.

In addition, most modern funerals feature a slideshow and also often a time of reflection. There will be 1-2 songs played during a typical slideshow, and one song for a time of reflection.

So, in total, most services feature 2-5 funeral songs played during the service itself plus 30 minutes worth of music before and after.

What if their favorite song isn’t appropriate for a funeral?

Funerals are important occasions, and should have a sense of weightiness and significance. So while bits of humor can be appropriate in small doses, an entire song that doesn’t fit the “mood” of a funeral can be a bit awkward.

In that case, we would suggest having their favorite songs play during the reception, which is typically a little more casual.

You can pause the reception to announce that the individual’s favorite song is about to be played, perhaps over a slideshow of pictures.

Next: Here are the most beautiful and easy-to-personalize funeral program templates