Best funeral songs combine meaningful lyrics, beautiful melodies, and universal themes of love and loss. Our curated collection includes beloved classics, traditional hymns, and meaningful modern songs perfect for memorial services and celebrations of life.
The best funeral songs transcend musical genres and generations. They provide comfort, celebrate life, and help us process grief. These top funeral songs have been chosen by thousands of families because they speak to universal experiences of love, loss, hope, and remembrance.
Based on Co-op Funeralcare’s 2025 survey analyzing over 90,000 funerals, here are the songs families are choosing right now:
Overtook “My Way” in 2024, remains the most requested song in 2025
Held #1 for over a decade, still a perennial favorite for celebrating independence
Viral TikTok hit written in remembrance, especially popular with Gen Z and Millennials
Younger generations favor this peaceful, hopeful version
These traditional funeral songs are consistently rated as the most meaningful and comforting.
These modern funeral songs resonate with today's families while maintaining timeless appeal.
Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, Ave Maria
Hallelujah, Time to Say Goodbye, Tears in Heaven
What a Wonderful World, Here Comes the Sun
Wind Beneath My Wings, Unconditionally, The Dance
Unchained Melody, At Last, All of Me
Precious Lord, How Great Thou Art, In the Garden
Best funeral songs ranked by popularity, emotional impact, and feedback from thousands of families. This definitive list of top funeral music includes traditional hymns, contemporary classics, and meaningful memorial songs that consistently provide comfort and honor loved ones.
by Traditional
A timeless hymn of redemption and hope that has comforted mourners for centuries.
Why it's meaningful: This beloved hymn speaks of salvation and the journey from loss to grace, offering profound comfort to those grieving.
Best moment: Often played during the processional or as a closing hymn.
by Eric Clapton
A tender, heartfelt melody born from personal grief, written in memory of Clapton's young son.
Why it's meaningful: Touches on loss, sorrow, and the hope of eventual reunion in a deeply personal way.
Best moment: Perfect for reflection during the service or viewing.
by Traditional Military
The iconic bugle call played at military funerals, symbolizing final rest and peace.
Why it's meaningful: A deeply reverent tribute that honors military service and sacrifice.
Best moment: Traditionally played during the flag folding ceremony or final farewell.
by Josh Groban
An uplifting anthem about finding strength through support and faith.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates how loved ones lift us up and continue to inspire even after death.
Best moment: Powerful during eulogies or as a tribute to someone who was a source of strength.
by Mahalia Jackson
Written by Thomas Dorsey after losing his wife and infant son, this deeply personal hymn has become the quintessential gospel funeral song.
Why it's meaningful: Its heartfelt plea for divine guidance through life's darkest moments resonates with mourners seeking comfort. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s favorite, performed at his funeral.
Best moment: Perfect for processional or during reflection moments.
by Eric Clapton
Written after the tragic death of Clapton's 4-year-old son Conor, this tender ballad asks whether there will be reunion in heaven.
Why it's meaningful: One of the most powerful songs about parental grief, written from lived experience of losing a child. Won three Grammy Awards and remains the definitive song for child loss.
Best moment: Perfect during reflection or eulogy for a son or child taken too soon.
by Louis Armstrong
The quintessential New Orleans jazz funeral song, starting somber then exploding into joyful celebration during the second line.
Why it's meaningful: Embodies New Orleans jazz funeral tradition - mourning the loss while celebrating the soul's joyful march to heaven.
Best moment: Recessional or second line celebration, especially for New Orleans funerals.
by Led Zeppelin
Epic rock ballad building from gentle acoustic opening to soaring electric climax, considered one of the greatest rock songs ever.
Why it's meaningful: The journey from quiet to powerful mirrors life's journey, with lyrics about choosing paths that lead to heaven.
Best moment: Powerful choice for brothers or classic rock lovers, especially the acoustic opening.
by The Beatles
The Beatles' reflection on people and places from the past, acknowledging that while memories remain, some are gone.
Why it's meaningful: Perfectly balances honoring the past while acknowledging loss - "In my life, I've loved them all."
Best moment: Universal choice for honoring anyone, celebrating their place in your life's story.
by Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong's optimistic celebration of life's beauty, with his gravelly voice finding wonder in simple things.
Why it's meaningful: Honors those who found joy in life's simple beauties, celebrating a life lived with appreciation and gratitude.
Best moment: Uplifting choice for celebration of life services or optimistic souls.
by Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton's heartbreaking ballad written after his son's death, questioning if they'll know each other in heaven.
Why it's meaningful: Written from the depths of parental grief, this song captures the specific agony of losing a child.
Best moment: Devastatingly appropriate for children lost too soon.
by Leonard Cohen
A haunting meditation on love, loss, and the complexity of human emotion.
Why it's meaningful: Cohen's masterpiece captures the bittersweet nature of life and love, resonating deeply at farewell moments.
Best moment: Perfect for reflection during the service or viewing.
by Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman
A powerful duet about parting that combines classical grandeur with emotional depth.
Why it's meaningful: The soaring vocals and orchestral arrangement create a moment of beautiful farewell.
Best moment: Often chosen for the final farewell or committal.
by Traditional Hymn
A majestic hymn praising God's creation and promise of eternal life.
Why it's meaningful: Offers hope of reunion in heaven and celebrates faith's comfort in grief.
Best moment: Powerful as a congregational hymn or solo performance.
by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
A gentle ukulele version that transforms the classic into a peaceful farewell.
Why it's meaningful: The Hawaiian rendition brings a sense of peace and the promise of a better place.
Best moment: Creates a serene atmosphere during reflection or exit.
by Ed Sheeran
A deeply emotional tribute written for Ed's late grandmother, capturing tender moments of saying goodbye.
Why it's meaningful: The lyrics about clearing out belongings serve as a metaphor for coming to terms with loss.
Best moment: Touching during personal tributes or reflection time.
by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
A modern anthem about the pain of separation and hope for eventual reunion.
Why it's meaningful: Speaks to the universal experience of missing someone while celebrating the bond that death cannot break.
Best moment: Powerful during video tributes or as a closing song.
by Lee Greenwood
A patriotic anthem expressing love for America and gratitude for those who serve.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates the values and freedoms that veterans fought to protect.
Best moment: Inspiring as a processional or during military honors.
by The Righteous Brothers
A timeless ballad about enduring love and longing that spans generations.
Why it's meaningful: Speaks to the eternal nature of true love, even beyond death.
Best moment: Beautiful for services celebrating long marriages.
by Simon & Garfunkel
An anthem of support and comfort during life's most difficult moments.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates those who served as bridges for others during troubled times.
Best moment: Powerful tribute for caregivers and supportive loved ones.
by Traditional Irish
An Irish ballad of farewell that has become a funeral standard worldwide.
Why it's meaningful: Expresses the pain of parting and hope for reunion.
Best moment: Especially meaningful for those of Irish heritage.
by Vince Gill
A country gospel song about finding eternal rest and peace in heaven.
Why it's meaningful: Written after personal loss, it speaks authentically to grief and faith.
Best moment: Powerful for country music fans and faith-based services.
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Mozart's final masterpiece, a profound meditation on death and eternal rest.
Why it's meaningful: Combines the majesty of classical music with the solemnity of the Catholic mass for the dead.
Best moment: Appropriate for formal Catholic services or classical music lovers.
by Samuel Barber
One of the most emotionally powerful pieces in classical music.
Why it's meaningful: Expresses grief with such depth that it has become synonymous with mourning and remembrance.
Best moment: Creates a profound atmosphere during the most solemn moments of the service.
by Simon and Garfunkel
A promise of support and comfort through life's storms.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates those who were sources of strength and refuge for others.
Best moment: Perfect for honoring someone who was always there for others.
by Celine Dion & Andrea Bocelli
A beautiful duet prayer for guidance and protection in multiple languages.
Why it's meaningful: Combines English and Italian to create a universal prayer for peace and guidance.
Best moment: Creates a transcendent moment during the service.
by Walter Hawkins
This uplifting anthem celebrates the promise of heaven and eternal life, transforming grief into hope.
Why it's meaningful: A staple in Black Protestant funeral traditions, it focuses on the glorious reunion awaiting believers in heaven during homegoing services.
Best moment: Powerful as a recessional or celebration of life moment.
by Andraé Crouch
This triumphant song anticipates the joy of seeing Jesus and being reunited with loved ones in heaven.
Why it's meaningful: Based on Revelation 21:3-4, it speaks of no more crying or dying. Performed at Michael Jackson's memorial service.
Best moment: Celebratory recessional or closing hymn.
by Albert Brumley
This song uses the metaphor of a bird freed from prison to describe the soul's release from earthly struggles.
Why it's meaningful: The most recorded gospel song of all time with over 1,000 versions, celebrating joyous liberation death brings to believers.
Best moment: Perfect for New Orleans jazz funerals and celebration of life services.
by Horatio Spafford
Written as Spafford's ship passed over the spot where all four daughters drowned, this hymn represents faith's triumph over tragedy.
Why it's meaningful: Despite devastating loss, Spafford declared "it is well," offering mourners a profound example of peace through loss.
Best moment: Powerful testimony of faith during the darkest moments.
Family feedback: We consider which funeral songs families most frequently choose and recommend to others.
Emotional impact: The best funeral songs provide genuine comfort and help mourners process their grief in healthy ways.
Universal appeal: Top funeral songs transcend age, religion, and cultural backgrounds to speak to shared human experiences.
Professional recommendations: Funeral directors, clergy, and grief counselors often suggest these songs for their proven ability to comfort.
Timeless quality: The best funeral songs remain meaningful across decades and continue to provide comfort to new generations.
The most beloved funeral songs include "Amazing Grace," "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, "Time to Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli, "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler, and "How Great Thou Art." These songs consistently rank as the top funeral music choices based on analysis of over 90,000 funerals by Co-op Funeralcare.
The best funeral songs should reflect the deceased's personality, musical preferences, and the tone you want for the service. Funeral directors recommend selecting 3-5 songs total: an opening song, a reflection piece after the eulogy, and a closing song. Consider mixing traditional funeral songs with personal favorites, and choose music that will comfort attendees while honoring your loved one.
The best funeral songs combine meaningful lyrics, beautiful melodies, and universal themes of love, loss, hope, or celebration of life. According to grief counselors, these songs provide comfort through memory activation, emotional expression, and community bonding. They should resonate emotionally with mourners and provide comfort during difficult times.
While some of the best funeral songs cross religious boundaries (like "Amazing Grace"), different faiths may prefer specific hymns or traditional songs. Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and secular services often have their own most popular funeral music.
Most funeral services include 3-5 songs, according to funeral directors. A typical arrangement includes: an entrance or processional song (3-5 minutes), a reflection song during or after the eulogy (3-5 minutes), and a recessional or closing song (3-5 minutes). Additional songs may be included for communion, committal, or photo/video tributes.