165 Best Funeral and Memorial Songs to Celebrate Life

Music is a powerful tool. It can evoke a wide range of emotions, and help people process and understand their emotions too.

When it comes to memorial services, the right songs can create a sense of comfort, peace, and even joy as we remember the life of a loved one.

This compilation list offers a variety of genres and tempos to create the perfect setting for a memorial service.

Whether you're looking for traditional hymns, uplifting songs, or reflective pieces, this list has something for everyone and for every kind of setting. We hope it helps you put together the perfect playlist for your memorial service.

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Traditional funeral songs

The opening moments, especially as guests arrive and gather, can be filled with a mix of emotions. Here, we've curated a selection of traditional funeral songs that you can use to create a sense of reverence and peace during this time.

These songs are ideal for background music as people enter the venue and settle in. Some of the hymns on this list are also perfect for communal singing during the service:
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1. "Amazing Grace" - Traditional
2. "Abide With Me" - Traditional
3. "Going Home" - Mark Knopfler
4. "How Great Thou Art" - Traditional
5. "Pie Jesu" - Andrew Lloyd Webber
6. "Nearer My God to Thee" - Traditional
7. "Danny Boy" - Traditional Irish
8. "My Old Kentucky Home" - Stephen Foster
9. "We Shall Overcome" - Various Artists
10. "Ave Maria" - Franz Schubert
11. "The Rose" - Bette Midler
12. "My Heart Will Go On" - Céline Dion
13. "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong
14. "You Raise Me Up" - Josh Groban
15. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - Simon & Garfunkel
16. "Let It Be" - The Beatles

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Uplifting memorial songs

Uplifting memorial songs can celebrate a life well-lived, inspire feelings of hope and comfort, and even encourage a sense of joy in remembering cherished memories.

Here's a selection of songs that can be used during eulogies, tributes, or video montages:
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17. "Sail Away" - Enya
18. "I See the Light (from Tangled)" - Mandy Moore
19. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole version
20. "You'll Never Walk Alone" - Gerry and the Pacemakers
21. "Lean on Me" - Bill Withers
22. "Sky Full of Stars" - Coldplay
23. "How Can I Keep From Singing?" - Pete Seeger
24. "I'll Stand By You" - The Pretenders
25. "Tightrope" - Michelle Williams
26. "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)" - John Lennon
27. "Rise Up" - Andra Day

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Celebration of life songs

Here are some fitting celebration of life songs that can be used during slideshows, during a shared meal, or in the background while an activity goes on.

These songs can help create a warm and joyful atmosphere as you honor the life that was lived:
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28. "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong
29. "I Can See Clearly Now" - Johnny Nash
30. "Beyond the Sea" - Bobby Darin
31. "Thank You for Being a Friend" - Andrew Gold
32. "My Way" - Frank Sinatra
33. "Forever Young" - Rod Stewart
34. "Here Comes the Sun" - The Beatles
35. "You've Got a Friend in Me" - Randy Newman
36. "This Ain't Goodbye" - Train
37. "Count on Me" - Bruno Mars
38. "Drops of Jupiter" - Train
39. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" - Bob Dylan
40. "Free Bird" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
41. "See You Again" - Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
42. "Always on My Mind" - Elvis Presley
43. "Calling All Angels" - Train
44. "Up Where We Belong" - Joe Cocker, Jennifer Warnes
45. "Home" - Daughtry
46. "I'll Remember You" - Elvis Presley

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Memorial songs for Dad

Losing a father can leave a deep void. He's often the one who teaches us strength, independence, and a sense of humor.

These memorial songs for Dad can help you process those emotions and celebrate the unique bond you shared.

Whether it's a song about a father's unwavering support, a tribute to his life and spirit, or a reflection on the lessons learned — this selection can be a powerful tool to remember the special qualities that made your father who he was.
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47. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" - John Denver
48. "If I Die Young" - The Band Perry
49. "Daddy's Hands" - Holly Dunn
50. "You Can Let Go Now Daddy" - Patricia Maguire
51. "Tajabone" - Ismaël Lô
52. "Amandrai" - Ali Farka Touré & Ry Cooder
53. "Hero" - Mariah Carey
54. "Father and Daughter" - Paul Simon
55. "Dance With My Father" - Luther Vandross
56. "My Father's Eyes" - Eric Clapton
57. "Thank You for Being My Dad" - Jon Barker
58. "You Raise Me Up" - Josh Groban
59. "Song for Dad" - Keith Urban
60. "Wind Beneath My Wings" - Bette Midler
61. "The Living Years" - Mike + The Mechanics
62. "Father" - Demi Lovato
63. "Have You Ever" - Brandy
64. "How Do I Live" - LeAnn Rimes
65. "For the Love of a Daughter" - Demi Lovato
66. "Hurt" - Christina Aguilera
67. "Before You Go" - Lewis Capaldi
68. "Someone You Loved" - Lewis Capaldi
69. "Daughters" - John Mayer
70. "Father of Mine" - Everclear
71. "Start Me Up" - The Rolling Stones
72. "Song for My Father" - Sarah McLachlan

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Memorial songs for Mom

Moms are the anchors in our lives, offering endless love, compassion, and guidance. They're our biggest cheerleaders and a constant source of comfort. This list of memorial songs for Mom can be a source of solace during this difficult time.

No matter the specific song, this selection can be a beautiful way to remember the unique qualities that made your mom who she was and the special bond you shared.
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73. "Dancing in the Sky" - Dani and Lizzy
74. "Jealous of the Angels" - Donna Taggart
75. "Mom" - Donna Taggart
76. "Heaven Was Needing a Hero" - Jo Dee Messina
77. "I'll See You Again" - Westlife
78. "Save a Place for Me" - Matthew West
79. "You Should Be Here" - Cole Swindell
80. "This I Promise You" - Donna Taggart
81. "Candle in the Wind" - Elton John
82. "The Scientist" - Coldplay
83. "The Perfect Fan" - Backstreet Boys
84. "Mama's Song" - Carrie Underwood
85. "I'm Already There" - Lonestar
86. "In the Garden" - Alan Jackson
87. "Precious Memories" - Alan Jackson
88. "Because You Loved Me" - Céline Dion
89. "Sanctuary" - Nashville Cast, Charles Esten
90. "You'll Never Walk Alone" - Gerry & The Pacemakers
91. "How Do I Live" - LeAnn Rimes
92. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" - Bonnie Tyler
93. "I'll Be Missing You" - Diddy, Faith Evans, 112
94. "In My Veins" - Andrew Belle
95. "River of Tears" - Alessia Cara
96. "Only You" - Selena Gomez
97. "Too Hard to Say Goodbye" - Westlife
98. "I Will Reach You" - Westlife
99. "Not a Day Goes By" - Lonestar
100. "The Dead Don't Die" - Sturgill Simpson
101. "Dance with My Mother" - J-Sol, Hussain Manawer
102. "High" - Lighthouse Family
103. "Absent Friends" - Mike Denver
104. "Supermarket Flowers" - Ed Sheeran
105. "Visiting Hours" - Ed Sheeran

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Songs for reflection and mourning

Songs for reflection and mourning offer a quiet space to acknowledge the pain and loss of a loved one. These songs can be a soundtrack to the complex emotions that arise during this time.

This list provides a range of emotional textures to create a space for quiet reflection and remembrance:
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106. "Time to Say Goodbye" - Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
107. "Carry You Home" - James Blunt
108. "Tears in Heaven" - Eric Clapton
109. "Wild Horses (Acoustic)" - The Rolling Stones
110. "Don't Wish Me Well" - Solange
111. "Hallelujah" - Leonard Cohen
112. "Tell Him" - Ms. Lauryn Hill
113. "To Zion" - Ms. Lauryn Hill, Carlos Santana
114. "Last Goodbye" - Jeff Buckley
115. "A Thousand Years" - The Piano Guys
116. "Possibility" - Lykke Li
117. "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" - Oasis
118. "Dancing in the Sky" - Dani and Lizzy
119. "Jealous of the Angels" - Donna Taggart
120. "Heaven Was Needing a Hero" - Jo Dee Messina
121. "I'll See You Again" - Westlife
122. "Save a Place for Me" - Matthew West
123. "You Should Be Here" - Cole Swindell
124. "The Wind Beneath My Wings" - Bette Midler

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Light-hearted songs to play at a funeral

Funeral services traditionally hold a somber tone, but that doesn't mean there's no room for celebrating a life well-lived.

Here’s a selection of light-hearted songs that can be played at a funeral. This selection allows for a more nuanced remembrance, acknowledging both the loss and the love that endures.

Remember, the key is to choose songs that reflect the personality of the deceased and the overall tone you wish to create for the service.
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125. "Send Me on My Way" - Rusted Root
126. "After the Storm" - Mumford & Sons
127. "The Parting Glass" - The Dubliners
128. "No Regrets" - Ronnie Drew
129. "Sea of Love" - Cat Power
130. "The Last Rose of Summer" - Nina Simone
131. "Blackout" - Freya Ridings
132. "The Other Side" - David Gray
133. "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" - Édith Piaf
134. "The Cello Song" - The Piano Guys
135. "Grief Came Riding" - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
136. "Don't Look Back in Anger" - Oasis
137. "Who Wants to Live Forever" - Queen
138. "Shine - Edit" - David Gray
139. "Watching You Without Me" - Kate Bush
140. "Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie" - Blood, Sweat & Tears

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Instrumental and classical memorial music options

While vocals can add a powerful layer of emotion, instrumental and classical pieces offer a timeless beauty for memorial services. These selections can be particularly fitting for processional music, as people enter the venue, or as background music to create a certain ambiance.
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141. "Barber: Adagio for Strings" - Samuel Barber, Sir Simon Rattle
142. "Symphony No. 5: IV. Adagietto" - Gustav Mahler, Berliner Philharmoniker
143. "Nimrod" - Edward Elgar, The Coldstream Guards Band
144. "Irish Tune from County Derry" - Percy Grainger, Dallas Wind Symphony
145. "Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten" - Arvo Pärt, Staatsorchester Stuttgart
146. "The Lark Ascending" - Ralph Vaughan Williams, London Philharmonic Orchestra
147. "Pachelbel Canon in D" - Pachelbel String Quartet
148. "Air on a G String" - Johann Sebastian Bach
149. "Adagio in G Minor" - Tomaso Albinoni, Chamber Orchestra of Europe
150. "Ave Maria, D. 839" - Franz Schubert, Renée Fleming

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Modern tributes for a celebration of life 

As memorial services evolve, so too does the music selection. Modern tributes for a celebration of life can be a great way to honor a loved one in a way that feels fresh and personal. These contemporary songs often speak to themes of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of love.
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151. "Heaven" - Avicii
152. "Bloom (Online Bonus Track)" - The Paper Kites
153. "Carry Me (Like a Fire in Your Heart)" - Chris de Burgh
154. "Take Me Home" - Us The Duo
155. "Higher Love" - James Vincent McMorrow
156. "Follow the Sun" - Xavier Rudd
157. "Sanctuary" - Nashville Cast, Charles Esten
158. "You'll Never Walk Alone" - Gerry & The Pacemakers
159. "How Do I Live" - LeAnn Rimes
160. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" - Bonnie Tyler
161. "I'll Be Missing You" - Diddy, Faith Evans, 112
162. "In My Veins" - Andrew Belle
163. "River of Tears" - Alessia Cara
164. "Only You" - Selena Gomez
165. "Ghost of You" - Selena Gomez

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Choosing memorial service music can be a very personal and emotional process. We hope this compilation list provides a starting point for finding the perfect songs to honor your loved one's memory.

Remember, music is just one element in creating a meaningful memorial service. It's also a time to share memories, offer condolences, and celebrate the life that was lived.

Take your time in planning the service, and don't hesitate to ask family and friends for input on the music selection or other aspects of the day.

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Next steps

You can help set the mood for your service by picking the right memorial service songs that complement the life and legacy of your loved one.

We hope this list helps you make the perfect playlist for your occasion. Next comes the work of planning and organizing it.

If you’re still planning out your memorial event in the Los Angeles area, consider using Meadow.

At Meadow, we understand the weight of this moment. We offer a more compassionate and meaningful way to celebrate a life well-lived with customized memorial planning services.

Our team of caring memorial planners will partner with you during this tender time to create an occasion as remarkable as the life it honors.

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With our licensed team, you can expect:

• A weight off your shoulders: Our memorial planners will take care of every detail, and they’ll be in the background at your memorial, making sure everything runs smoothly.
  
  
• The perfect location: Our planners help you find the perfect location, whether that’s an idyllic beachfront, your loved one’s favorite restaurant, or the comfort of your own home.
  
  
• Transparent pricing: Starting from $1,295 for a basic cremation, our memorial prices are transparent and easy to understand.

• The personal touch: Our memorial planners will make sure your loved one’s presence is felt throughout the occasion.

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Explore our Personalized Memorial Services.