Uplifting
Funeral Songs
Explore 39 funeral songs tagged as "uplifting". Each song has been carefully curated to help you create a meaningful memorial service.
All Uplifting Songs
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 journey to heaven.
Best moment: Recessional or second line celebration, especially for New Orleans funerals.
Going Up Yonder
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.
Soon and Very Soon
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.
I'll Fly Away
Albert Brumley
This song uses the metaphor of a bird freed from prison to describe the soul's joyous release into heaven.
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.
One Sweet Day
Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
A powerful duet about missing someone and looking forward to reunion, expressing all the things left unsaid.
Why it's meaningful: The soaring harmonies and emotional vocals create a cathartic release while offering hope of eventual reunion and expressing unspoken love.
Best moment: Emotional peak moment during service, allows congregants to fully feel their grief.
I Can Only Imagine
MercyMe
Written by lead singer Bart Millard about his father's death, imagining what it will be like to finally see Jesus face to face.
Why it's meaningful: For families of faith, this song processes grief through the lens of eventual reunion in God's presence.
Best moment: Powerful for Christian services, building from quiet contemplation to triumphant hope.
Free Bird
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Southern rock anthem about freedom and living without constraints, featuring one of rock's greatest guitar solos.
Why it's meaningful: For free spirits who refused to be caged, this song celebrates independence and the soul's liberation.
Best moment: Perfect for brothers or men who lived boldly and valued freedom.
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Motown classic about unwavering devotion and the promise to be there no matter what obstacles arise.
Why it's meaningful: The promise that nothing can keep us apart offers hope that death itself cannot sever the bonds of love.
Best moment: Uplifting choice for celebrating unshakeable devotion and enduring connection.
Let's Stay Together
Al Green
Al Green's silky soul classic about eternal commitment and standing by your love.
Why it's meaningful: The promise to stay together through good and bad times honors marriages that endured all seasons.
Best moment: Perfect for long-term marriages built on commitment and devotion.
Midnight Train to Georgia
Gladys Knight & the Pips
Gladys Knight's soulful story of devotion, following love back home no matter what.
Why it's meaningful: The journey back home represents the soul's return to where it belongs.
Best moment: For Georgia natives or honoring the journey home to rest.
Louis Armstrong
A celebration of life
Why it's meaningful: Reminds us to appreciate the world our loved one cherished.
Best moment: Uplifting choice for celebrating a life of gratitude.
Fix You
Coldplay
A song about wanting to help heal someone through their darkest moments, building to a hopeful climax.
Why it's meaningful: Speaks to the desire to comfort those in grief and the promise of eventual healing.
Best moment: Moving during services for those who were caregivers or healers.
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
The Hollies
A testament to unconditional love and support between brothers and friends.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates the bonds of brotherhood and friendship that death cannot break.
Best moment: Perfect for honoring sibling relationships or close friendships.
Because He Lives
Bill and Gloria Gaither
Written during the turbulent late 1960s, this song finds hope in Christ's resurrection as the answer to life's uncertainties.
Why it's meaningful: Christ's victory over death gives mourners hope that their loved one shares in eternal life.
Best moment: Hopeful choice for celebrating resurrection faith.
Oh Happy Day
Edwin Hawkins Singers
This joyful arrangement of an 18th-century hymn became a crossover hit, reaching #4 on Billboard Hot 100.
Why it's meaningful: Exuberant celebration of Jesus washing sins away brings uplifting, celebratory tone to homegoing services.
Best moment: Perfect for celebration of life and joyful homegoing services.
Angels Among Us
Alabama
A country classic about angels walking among us and watching over us from heaven, offering comfort that loved ones become our guardian angels.
Why it's meaningful: Provides comfort in believing your son is now an angel watching over you, transforming devastating loss into ongoing spiritual presence.
Best moment: Uplifting choice for celebrating the belief that your son is still with you.
When I Get Where I'm Going
Brad Paisley ft. Dolly Parton
A hopeful country duet about heaven's promise of reunion with loved ones who've gone before.
Why it's meaningful: While emotional about separation, the focus on eventual reunion and heaven's peace brings comfort.
Best moment: Bittersweet choice balancing sorrow with hope of reunion.
Down by the Riverside
Traditional Spiritual
Upbeat spiritual about laying down burdens by the riverside, frequently played during second line celebrations at New Orleans funerals.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates laying down life's burdens and finding peace at last.
Best moment: Second line or recessional for celebration of life services.
That's What Friends Are For
Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick's warm celebration of enduring friendship and mutual support.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates the comfort of knowing friends will always be there, honoring relationships built on mutual support.
Best moment: Perfect for honoring sisters who were also best friends.
Sweet Home Chicago
Robert Johnson
Blues standard about returning home to Chicago, with upbeat tempo and celebration of place.
Why it's meaningful: The longing for home resonates with those who loved Chicago or the concept of finally going home.
Best moment: For Chicago natives or honoring the journey home.
I'll Be Around
The Spinners
The Spinners' smooth soul promise of eternal availability and unconditional support.
Why it's meaningful: The promise to always be around offers comfort that the deceased's presence continues.
Best moment: Comforting for honoring those who were always there for others.
For Once in My Life
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder's jubilant declaration of finding someone who makes everything finally feel right.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates the joy someone brought into our lives, honoring relationships that finally felt right.
Best moment: Uplifting choice for celebrating love that completed someone's life.
Three Little Birds
Bob Marley
An uplifting reggae classic with the reassuring message that every little thing is gonna be alright.
Why it's meaningful: Offers simple but powerful comfort and encouragement during dark times.
Best moment: Perfect for celebrations of life with a more upbeat, positive tone.
The Storm Is Over Now
Kirk Franklin
From the groundbreaking album 'The Nu Nation Project,' this song celebrates emerging from life's storms into peace.
Why it's meaningful: Message of overcoming resonates at funerals as celebration that the deceased has reached peaceful shore of heaven.
Best moment: Celebratory recessional or victory song.
Oh, Didn't He Ramble
Traditional Jazz
Lively jazz funeral standard celebrating a life well-lived with all its adventures, traditionally played during the second line.
Why it's meaningful: Honors those who lived fully and boldly, rambling through life's adventures.
Best moment: Second line celebration for those who lived adventurous lives.
Mannish Boy
Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters' swaggering Chicago blues anthem of masculine confidence and power.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates strong, confident men who lived boldly and took pride in their strength and character.
Best moment: For honoring proud, masculine spirits or blues music lovers.
Hoochie Coochie Man
Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters' swaggering blues anthem of mystical masculine power and charisma.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates larger-than-life personalities and those who lived with mystique and confidence.
Best moment: For honoring bold characters or celebrating blues heritage.
Boom Boom
John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker's infectious, hypnotic blues groove with irresistible rhythmic power.
Why it's meaningful: The infectious groove celebrates those who loved to move, dance, and live with rhythmic energy.
Best moment: Upbeat choice for celebrating blues lovers with vibrant energy.
Hinei Ma Tov
Traditional Jewish Song
Joyful psalm celebrating unity: 'How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together.'
Why it's meaningful: Honors someone who brought people together and valued community.
Best moment: Beautiful for honoring community leaders or those who fostered unity.