1970s Funeral Songs
About 1970s Funeral Songs
If seventies music was part of their life, start with a song they loved. "Landslide" offers a quiet moment of reflection; "Lean on Me" brings the focus to family and friends; "Dancing Queen" can celebrate someone who loved a dance floor. These selections cover gentle folk, soul, rock and disco, with notes to help you choose a recording and a place for it in the farewell.
A short starting playlist
For a gentle sequence, try Carole King’s "You’ve Got a Friend" as people arrive, Fleetwood Mac’s "Songbird" after a tribute, and Bill Withers’ "Lean on Me" as people leave. This is an editorial suggestion, not a popularity chart or a required service order.
A rock fan’s farewell might instead centre on "Wish You Were Here" or "Free Bird". Choose one song to hear in full, then check the available time with the funeral director. A favourite song does not have to mention death to belong.
1970s recordings to consider
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
1970 studio recording from Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Why it's meaningful: A promise of support for someone who helped others through difficult times. The arrangement grows from quiet piano to a full ending.
Best moment: Reflection after a reading; allow the final notes to finish.
You've Got a Friend
Carole King
Carole King's 1971 recording on Tapestry.
Why it's meaningful: A warm choice for remembering a friend or someone the family could always call. King's recording is gentler than many later covers.
Best moment: Arrival or a quiet moment between tributes.
Lean on Me
Bill Withers
Bill Withers' original 1972 recording on Still Bill.
Why it's meaningful: The focus is on helping one another. It can acknowledge both the support the person gave and the support mourners need now.
Best moment: Closing music or a gathering of family and friends.
Landslide
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac's 1975 studio recording.
Why it's meaningful: A restrained acoustic song about change and growing older. Choose it for the memories it brings, without needing every lyric to describe the person.
Best moment: A seated reflection or photo tribute.
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd's 1975 studio recording from Wish You Were Here.
Why it's meaningful: Its sense of absence can speak for friends who struggle to find words. The familiar guitar opening may matter especially to a lifelong Pink Floyd fan.
Best moment: Reflection; keep the quiet opening audible.
Songbird
Fleetwood Mac
Christine McVie's piano-led song on Fleetwood Mac's Rumours (1977).
Why it's meaningful: A simple expression of love and goodwill. Its spare arrangement leaves space for people to listen without a large musical build.
Best moment: After the eulogy or during a quiet farewell.
Fire and Rain
James Taylor
James Taylor's 1970 recording on Sweet Baby James.
Why it's meaningful: An honest choice when you want the music to acknowledge loss. Listen to the full song together first: its sadness may feel comforting to some and too raw to others.
Best moment: A dedicated reflection, without someone speaking over it.
Let It Be
The Beatles
The Beatles' 1970 song, available in different single and album mixes.
Why it's meaningful: The refrain can offer a moment of reassurance when words are difficult. Use the version the family recognises; the guitar solo differs between mixes.
Best moment: Arrival or the end of a secular service, subject to the venue's agreement.
Your Song
Elton John
Elton John's 1970 recording from his self-titled album.
Why it's meaningful: A direct expression of affection for a partner or someone who made ordinary life happier. It need not have been written about bereavement to carry a personal memory.
Best moment: Photo tribute or a personal farewell.
Sailing
Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart's 1975 recording on Atlantic Crossing.
Why it's meaningful: The imagery of a journey and a wish to be near someone may suit a farewell, particularly if this was a song they loved.
Best moment: Exit music; check the timing against the procession.
Dust in the Wind
Kansas
Kansas' acoustic recording on Point of Know Return (1977).
Why it's meaningful: A reflection on how brief life can be. Its view of mortality is more searching than reassuring, so choose it if that outlook fits the person and family.
Best moment: Quiet reflection in a secular service.
Free Bird
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd's 1973 album recording.
Why it's meaningful: A personal choice for a devoted rock fan. The farewell lyrics and extended guitar ending create very different moods; choose the version and stopping point deliberately.
Best moment: A long exit or reception; agree any fade with the operator.
September
Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire's 1978 recording.
Why it's meaningful: A bright choice for remembering parties, shared laughter and time together. Its value here is the memory it brings, rather than a message about grief.
Best moment: Reception or a celebration of life.
Choose the recording, then plan the moment
Search by both song and artist. Album versions, live performances and later covers can have different introductions, lyrics and running times. The Beatles’ "Let It Be" has different single and album mixes; a long rock performance may need more time than an entrance allows.
Check the venue’s music arrangements before finalising a list, especially for a religious service. Keep a written order with the artist, version and any agreed fade. Our funeral playlist guide explains how to organise the choices and hand them over.
Recording dates and sources
The years above refer to these artists’ recordings or original album releases, not the date a song was written or a later remaster appeared. Date references include Simon & Garfunkel’s album catalogue, Carole King’s biography, Bill Withers’ Still Bill, Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 album and Rumours.
Further references: Pink Floyd, James Taylor, The Beatles, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ABBA and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which 70s songs suit a quiet funeral reflection?
Try "Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac, "You’ve Got a Friend" by Carole King or "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel. The first two stay relatively gentle; "Bridge Over Troubled Water" builds to a stronger ending. Listen to the whole recording before deciding how much time it needs.
Can we play disco or upbeat seventies music at a funeral?
Yes, if it reflects the person and fits the service the family wants. "Dancing Queen" or "September" can work at a reception or as an upbeat exit. Agree the choice with the family and officiant; a joyful song can carry a warm memory without setting the mood for the whole service.
Which version of Free Bird should we choose?
Check the exact recording: the album version, single edits and live performances have different lengths. If you want the quiet opening but not the full guitar ending, agree a fade point with the person operating the music. Rehearse it so the track does not stop abruptly.
Does a 70s funeral playlist have to stay within the decade?
No. Use these recordings as a starting point, then include other songs that mattered to the person. This page groups recordings released in the 1970s, rather than every song by an artist who was famous then. A later cover can still be the right personal choice.