2020s Funeral Songs
About 2020s Funeral Songs
2020s funeral songs emerge from a decade shaped by collective grief — the COVID-19 pandemic made an entire generation fluent in loss in ways their parents never were at the same age. "drivers license" by Olivia Rodrigo (2021) channels raw, unprocessed heartbreak with a vulnerability that resonates far beyond its breakup origins. "Pink Skies" by Zach Bryan (2024) looks back on a life through the small details family and friends gather to remember. "Easy on Me" by Adele (2021) asks for grace and understanding, a sentiment that speaks to grief as much as to divorce. "Ghost" by Justin Bieber (2021) wrestles with absence — the feeling that someone’s presence lingers after they’re gone. The 2020s have also brought "Glimpse of Us" by Joji, "golden hour" by JVKE, and "I Remember Everything" by Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves — songs that explore love and loss with a confessional depth amplified by social media’s culture of emotional honesty. For anyone grieving a person who died in the 2020s, these songs carry the specific texture of this moment: the isolation of pandemic goodbyes, the FaceTime farewells, the understanding that life is shorter and less predictable than anyone assumed. These are the songs that soundtracked the world’s most recent reckoning with mortality.
Top 2020s Funeral Songs
Easy on Me
Adele
The raw vulnerability speaks to anyone processing loss, asking those left behind to be gentle with themselves.
Pink Skies
Zach Bryan
Feels real. Strips away polish and speaks to the awkward, bittersweet reality of burying a loved one. Appeals to younger demographics.
I Remember Everything
Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves
The conversational tone between two voices mirrors the dialogue we wish we could still have with the departed.
Beautiful Things
Benson Boone
The gratitude for life's blessings and fear of losing them reflects how we feel about those we've lost.
Die With A Smile
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
The message of going out happy as long as you're with the one you love is deeply comforting at a funeral.
Tips for Choosing 2020s Funeral Songs
Tip 1. The 2020s are defined by pandemic grief — Many songs from this era carry an emotional weight shaped by collective loss during COVID-19, giving them an unintended but powerful funeral resonance.
Tip 2. These songs connect with younger mourners — For Gen Z funerals, 2020s songs are their music. Olivia Rodrigo, Zach Bryan, and Billie Eilish are as meaningful to them as The Beatles were to their grandparents.
Tip 3. TikTok has created new funeral songs — Viral moments on TikTok have turned songs like "Line Without a Hook" and "heather" into grief anthems for a generation.
Tip 4. Streaming makes these instantly accessible — Create a memorial playlist on Spotify or Apple Music that attendees can access during and after the service.
Tip 5. Mix eras thoughtfully — A 2020s song paired with a timeless classic creates emotional range that connects across generations at the service.
Tip 6. Check full lyrics — Some 2020s hits have funeral-appropriate choruses but verses about breakups or partying. Listen to the complete song before choosing.
Complete List of 2020s Funeral Songs
Easy on Me
Adele
Adele's powerful ballad about asking for understanding and grace during times of change and heartbreak.
Why it's meaningful: The raw vulnerability speaks to anyone processing loss, asking those left behind to be gentle with themselves.
Best moment: During reflection or as a closing song. The piano arrangement creates intimate atmosphere.
Pink Skies
Zach Bryan
A folk-country ballad describing the actual scene of a funeral — the clean house, uncomfortable clothes, family reunion dynamic.
Why it's meaningful: Feels real. Strips away polish and speaks to the awkward, bittersweet reality of burying a loved one. Appeals to younger demographics.
Best moment: Modern services, outdoor memorials, or younger demographics planning for parents.
I Remember Everything
Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves
A sparse, devastating duet about the weight of shared memories and the pain of remembering.
Why it's meaningful: The conversational tone between two voices mirrors the dialogue we wish we could still have with the departed.
Best moment: During eulogies or reflection. The acoustic simplicity lets the words land.
Beautiful Things
Benson Boone
A prayer-like pop ballad about the fear of losing the beautiful things in life.
Why it's meaningful: The gratitude for life's blessings and fear of losing them reflects how we feel about those we've lost.
Best moment: Service or memorial. The crescendo builds emotional catharsis.
Die With A Smile
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
A warm, retro-influenced duet about facing the end with love and a smile.
Why it's meaningful: The message of going out happy as long as you're with the one you love is deeply comforting at a funeral.
Best moment: Celebration of life or reception. Uplifting despite the theme.
Ghost
Justin Bieber
A heartfelt pop ballad about missing someone who's no longer there and feeling their presence like a ghost.
Why it's meaningful: Captures the feeling of sensing a loved one's presence after they've passed, a universal experience of grief.
Best moment: Memorial slideshow or reflection moment. Modern and accessible for younger mourners.
drivers license
Olivia Rodrigo
A raw, emotionally devastating ballad about loss and the everyday reminders that trigger waves of grief.
Why it's meaningful: Though written about heartbreak, the themes of loss and driving past familiar places resonate deeply with bereavement.
Best moment: For a young person's service. The raw emotion connects with younger mourners.
Glimpse of Us
Joji
A haunting ballad about searching for traces of someone in everything around you.
Why it's meaningful: Perfectly captures seeing reminders of the departed in everyday moments and other people.
Best moment: Quiet reflection or memorial video. The understated production creates emotional space.
Happier Than Ever
Billie Eilish
An emotionally complex song that builds from whispered vulnerability to cathartic release.
Why it's meaningful: The dynamic shift from quiet grief to powerful emotion mirrors the waves of bereavement.
Best moment: For a younger person's service. The build captures grief's unpredictable intensity.
golden hour
JVKE
A dreamy, ethereal love song comparing someone to the warm light of golden hour.
Why it's meaningful: The imagery of golden light and fleeting beauty captures how we remember our most luminous moments with loved ones.
Best moment: Memorial slideshow or scattering ashes at sunset. Ethereal and hopeful.
Starting Over
Chris Stapleton
A hopeful country song about resilience and finding the courage to begin again after hardship.
Why it's meaningful: Offers comfort that life continues and new chapters await, even after devastating loss.
Best moment: Closing song or recessional. Sends mourners off with hope.
Stick Season
Noah Kahan
A folk-pop anthem about the emptiness left behind when someone leaves your life.
Why it's meaningful: The imagery of barren New England landscapes mirrors the desolation of grief.
Best moment: Reflection or memorial. The folk arrangement feels timeless despite being modern.
Last Night
Morgan Wallen
A country hit about replaying memories and wishing for one more night together.
Why it's meaningful: The longing for just one more moment with someone captures a universal feeling of grief.
Best moment: Reception or celebration of life. Modern country sound accessible to many.
Fast Car
Luke Combs
Luke Combs' country cover of Tracy Chapman's classic about dreams, escape, and the passage of time.
Why it's meaningful: The themes of unfulfilled dreams and life moving too fast resonate when reflecting on a life lived.
Best moment: Celebration of life. A bridge between generations.
Visiting Hours
Ed Sheeran
A raw, direct song wishing heaven had visiting hours.
Why it's meaningful: "Wish that heaven had visiting hours" — Sheeran's most direct song about death gives voice to every mourner's wish for one more visit.
Best moment: During the service
Everybody Dies
Billie Eilish
A gentle, philosophical meditation on mortality and the universality of death.
Why it's meaningful: Normalises grief by acknowledging death as universal. The soft delivery makes it comforting rather than morbid.
Best moment: Reflection or processional. The quiet acceptance sets a contemplative tone.
Heather
Conan Gray
A bittersweet song about losing someone special and the ache of their absence.
Why it's meaningful: The specific, personal details make the loss feel tangible and real, validating individual grief.
Best moment: For a young person's memorial. Deeply personal and emotionally honest.
Where Her Heart Has Always Been
Alan Jackson
A deeply personal song written specifically for Jackson's mother's funeral.
Why it's meaningful: Written for his own mother's funeral — its raw authenticity and personal grief make it one of the most genuine funeral songs ever recorded.
Best moment: During the service
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes 2020s Funeral Songs funeral songs appropriate for memorial services?
2020s Funeral Songs funeral songs are chosen for memorial services because they resonate emotionally with mourners. These songs often feature themes of remembrance, comfort, and hope that help people process grief while honoring the deceased's life and legacy.
Can I play 2020s Funeral Songs songs during the entire funeral service?
Yes, you can use 2020s Funeral Songs songs throughout the service including processional, during the service, and recessional. However, you may want to mix them with other styles to create emotional variety and keep the atmosphere appropriate for different parts of the memorial.
Which 2020s Funeral Songs songs are most popular for funerals?
The most popular 2020s Funeral Songs funeral songs tend to be those with meaningful lyrics about loss, love, or spiritual peace. Songs that are emotionally resonant, not too fast-paced, and familiar to the congregation work best. Check our curated list above for top recommendations.
Are there any 2020s Funeral Songs songs I should avoid at a funeral?
Avoid songs with overly upbeat tempos that seem inappropriate for mourning, or lyrics that might be offensive or divisive. Consider the deceased's preferences and the family's cultural or religious background when selecting songs.
Can we have live 2020s Funeral Songs musicians at the funeral?
Yes, live musicians are often very meaningful at funerals. Many venues and funeral homes welcome live performers. You may need to coordinate with the funeral home or place of worship, and consider acoustic arrangements rather than amplified versions for a more intimate atmosphere.
How do I choose between popular and lesser-known 2020s Funeral Songs funeral songs?
Both approaches work well. Popular songs help mourners connect emotionally since they may already know them, while lesser-known pieces can feel more personal and unique. Consider mixing both to create a meaningful tribute that feels authentic to who the deceased was.