Funeral Exit Songs:
Uplifting Exit Music for Funerals

Exit music marks the formal end of a funeral service, providing a bridge from the intensity of grief toward hope and remembrance. While entrance music sets a solemn tone, exit music should offer gentle uplift — a signal that the service has honoured the deceased and that mourners can carry that love forward.

The best funeral exit songs strike a balance between acknowledging loss and offering comfort. Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" celebrates life's beauty. The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" promises brighter days ahead. "Amazing Grace" assures spiritual peace. Whatever you choose, exit music should leave mourners feeling that the service brought closure and that their loved one's memory lives on in warmth, not only sorrow.

Uplifting funeral exit songs send mourners out with warmth and hope rather than heaviness. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong is the most requested exit song because its gentle optimism celebrates life without dismissing grief. “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles offers the promise that darkness passes, while “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole creates an atmosphere of tender hope.

For celebration of life services, slightly brighter choices work well. “Simply the Best” by Tina Turner honours someone who was extraordinary. “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum carries confident energy about what comes next. “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack frames the farewell as encouragement for those left behind. The key is choosing songs that feel hopeful without being inappropriately cheerful — you want to lift spirits, not ignore the weight of what just happened.

If the deceased had a particular song they loved, that often makes the most meaningful exit music regardless of genre. Hearing “their song” as people leave creates a powerful final connection.

Classical exit music for funerals provides timeless elegance, particularly suited to formal church services and traditional memorial ceremonies. “Going Home” by Antonín Dvořák (from the New World Symphony) is the definitive classical funeral exit piece — its gentle melody evokes a peaceful journey homeward. “Nimrod” from Elgar's Enigma Variations builds from quiet tenderness to dignified grandeur, making it ideal for military or state funerals.

For a more contemplative exit, “Clair de Lune” by Debussy offers moonlit serenity. Bach's “Air on the G String” provides measured grace. “Canon in D” by Pachelbel, while more commonly used as processional music, also works as a peaceful exit when played at a gentler tempo by a solo instrument rather than a full ensemble.

Classical exit music works especially well when the rest of the service has featured vocal or lyrical songs — the shift to instrumental creates a reflective space as mourners process their emotions while departing. For more classical options, see our classical funeral songs guide.

Funeral exit songs for dad should honour his character while providing closure. “My Way” by Frank Sinatra is the classic choice for a father who lived life on his own terms — the final verse, “I did it my way,” feels like his last word to the family. “What a Wonderful World” works for the dad who appreciated life's simple pleasures. “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler honours a quiet, supportive father.

For country-loving dads, “Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill provides permission to rest after a life of hard work. For rock fans, “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd captures the ache of absence without being maudlin. The exit song for dad should feel like the final thing he'd want people to hear — whether that's a classic standard or something only your family understands.

See our complete funeral songs for dad collection for more choices across all service moments.

Funeral exit songs for mom should reflect the warmth, love, and nurturing she brought to every room she entered. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole is the most requested exit song for mothers — its tender beauty evokes the way a mother's love feels: safe, hopeful, infinite. “What a Wonderful World” honours the mother who found joy in family and small daily moments.

“I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack captures the encouragement mothers give their children — to keep living, keep trying, keep dancing even after she's gone. “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder celebrates a mother's radiance. For moms who loved hymns, “Amazing Grace” provides deeply familiar comfort as people leave.

Browse our dedicated funeral songs for mom guide for the full collection.

Modern exit music brings contemporary emotional depth to the farewell moment. “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth has become a generational farewell anthem since its Fast & Furious tribute. “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran pairs beautifully with a final slideshow moment. “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran, written about his grandmother's death, offers an intimate modern exit.

“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, though originally a love song, captures enduring devotion that transcends death. “Fix You” by Coldplay builds from quiet piano to triumphant resolve — the musical arc mirrors the emotional journey from grief to hope. For Christian services, “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe envisions heavenly reunion, offering powerful comfort as the final note.

Modern exit songs work best for younger deceased or when the family wants the service to feel current and personal rather than traditional. For more contemporary choices, see our modern funeral songs collection.