David Bowie Funeral Songs
About David Bowie Funeral Songs
David Bowie turned his own death into art with the album Blackstar, released two days before he died. His music offers something no other artist can -- a funeral soundtrack for people who lived outside convention, who saw the world differently, and who would want their farewell to be as bold as their life.
Best David Bowie Songs for Funerals
David Bowie confronted mortality more directly than perhaps any other rock artist. His final album Blackstar was conceived as a farewell gift -- "Lazarus" opens with "Look up here, I'm in heaven" and its music video shows Bowie singing from a deathbed. "Heroes" celebrates ordinary people becoming extraordinary through love. "Space Oddity" and "Starman" use space as a metaphor for the final journey. "Changes" embraces transformation as life's constant. Bowie's music suits people who lived creatively and unconventionally -- his funerals tend to be celebrations of individuality.
“Heroes” — David Bowie
Ordinary people becoming heroes through love. The building intensity mirrors how admiration for someone grows after they're gone -- "we can be heroes, just for one day" takes on new meaning at a funeral.
We can be heroes, just for one day.
“Starman” — David Bowie
The departed watching over us from above. "There's a starman waiting in the sky" transforms from sci-fi whimsy to spiritual comfort at a funeral -- a beautiful image of someone looking down.
“Lazarus” — David Bowie
Written for his own death. "Look up here, I'm in heaven" -- Bowie recorded this knowing he was dying and turned that knowledge into art. The most authentic farewell song in rock music.
Look up here, I'm in heaven.
“Space Oddity” — David Bowie
The final voyage metaphor. Major Tom floating away from Earth captures the sense of someone departing into the unknown -- haunting and strangely peaceful.
“Changes” — David Bowie
Embracing life's constant transformations. Death as the ultimate change -- for someone who never stopped evolving, "ch-ch-ch-changes" becomes a celebration of a life that refused to stand still.
“Life on Mars” — David Bowie
Surreal and cinematic, for someone who saw the world differently. The soaring melody and otherworldly lyrics suit creative, unconventional people -- a funeral song that matches their extraordinary perspective.
Top David Bowie Funeral Songs
The most-chosen David Bowie songs for funeral services, ranked by popularity.
Heroes
David Bowie
An anthem about ordinary people becoming heroes for those they love.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates the heroism found in everyday acts of love and courage.
Best moment: Perfect for honoring someone who was a personal hero.
Life on Mars?
David Bowie
A surreal, cinematic masterpiece about seeing the world differently.
Why it's meaningful: For someone who saw the world differently — its surreal beauty honours the visionaries and dreamers who made ordinary life extraordinary.
Best moment: During the service or photo slideshow or tribute video
Space Oddity
David Bowie
The story of Major Tom drifting into the vast unknown of space.
Why it's meaningful: Major Tom's final voyage into the unknown mirrors death's journey — ground control losing contact as the traveller drifts away from Earth.
Best moment: During the service
Under Pressure
David Bowie
A collaborative anthem with Queen about shared human struggle and the power of love.
Why it's meaningful: The shared struggle of being human and the redemptive power of love — "love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night."
Best moment: During the service
Starman
David Bowie
A glam-rock anthem about a benevolent figure watching from the stars.
Why it's meaningful: The image of a starman waiting in the sky becomes the departed watching over us from above — cosmic and comforting.
Best moment: During the service or recessional / exit
Lazarus
David Bowie
Bowie's final single, written as his own farewell from beyond.
Why it's meaningful: Written deliberately as his own farewell — "Look up here, I'm in heaven" — the most intentional death song in rock history.
Best moment: During the service
Rock 'n' Roll Suicide
David Bowie
A dramatic crescendo building to the reassurance that "you're not alone."
Why it's meaningful: Building to Bowie's impassioned "you're not alone!" — a direct reassurance to mourners that they are held and not abandoned.
Best moment: During the service
Golden Years
David Bowie
A funky, celebratory invitation to enjoy life's golden moments.
Why it's meaningful: A celebration of joyful times shared — its upbeat groove honours someone who made every year golden.
Best moment: Reception or wake or photo slideshow or tribute video
Absolute Beginners
David Bowie
A romantic ballad about the vulnerability and beauty of new love.
Why it's meaningful: Its romantic vulnerability captures the beginning of love — and at a funeral, the reminder that every great love story has its opening chapter.
Best moment: During the service
All David Bowie Funeral Songs
Wild Is the Wind
David Bowie
An intense, operatic love ballad of all-consuming devotion.
Why it's meaningful: Bowie's operatic intensity captures all-consuming love — the wind as a metaphor for the departed's continued, invisible presence.
Best moment: During the service
Where Are We Now?
David Bowie
A deeply nostalgic meditation on memory, place, and the passage of time.
Why it's meaningful: Bowie's nostalgic return to Berlin and past memories mirrors the mourner's journey through places that hold the departed's ghost.
Best moment: During the service or photo slideshow or tribute video
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular David Bowie funeral song?
"Heroes" is the most popular David Bowie funeral song. Its message about ordinary people becoming heroes through love resonates powerfully at funerals. "Starman" is the second most requested, chosen for its image of someone watching over loved ones from above. Since Bowie's death in 2016, "Lazarus" has become the third most popular, valued for being written as a genuine farewell.
What is the best David Bowie song for an unconventional funeral?
"Life on Mars" suits someone who saw the world differently -- its surreal lyrics and soaring melody match an extraordinary perspective on life. "Ziggy Stardust" works for someone who lived theatrically. "Changes" celebrates a life of constant reinvention. "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" ends with the reassurance "you're not alone" -- powerful for unconventional services.
What is the best David Bowie song for a funeral processional?
"Space Oddity" makes a contemplative processional -- the quiet countdown and floating quality create a sense of departure. "Lazarus" opens with a declaration from heaven. "Life on Mars" builds from a gentle piano introduction. "Wild Is the Wind" provides operatic intensity for a dramatic entrance.
Can you play David Bowie at a funeral?
Yes, David Bowie songs are popular at funerals, particularly for celebrations of life and secular services. "Heroes" is widely recognised and emotionally accessible. After Bowie's death in 2016, his music became even more commonly chosen for funerals. His songs work best for people who valued creativity and individuality. "Under Pressure" (with Queen) bridges Bowie and Queen fans.
What is the saddest David Bowie song?
"Lazarus" is the saddest David Bowie song -- knowing he wrote it as his actual farewell makes it almost unbearably moving. "Where Are We Now?" carries deep nostalgia and the weight of a man looking back on decades of life. "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" moves from despair to desperate reassurance. "Wild Is the Wind" is an intense, operatic love ballad that strips away Bowie's usual armour.