Explore 39 funeral songs tagged as "uplifting". Each song has been carefully curated to help you create a meaningful memorial service.
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\\
Best moment: Recessional or second line celebration, especially for New Orleans funerals.
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 AndraƩ 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\\
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\\
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 Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
A powerful duet about missing someone and looking forward to reunion -
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.
by MercyMe
Written by lead singer Bart Millard about his father\\
Why it's meaningful: For families of faith, this song processes grief through the lens of eventual reunion in God\\
Best moment: Powerful for Christian services, building from quiet contemplation to triumphant hope.
by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Southern rock anthem about freedom and living without constraints, featuring one of rock\\
Why it's meaningful: For free spirits who refused to be caged, this song celebrates independence and the soul\\
Best moment: Perfect for brothers or men who lived boldly and valued freedom.
by 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.
by Al Green
Al Green\\
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.
by Gladys Knight & the Pips
Gladys Knight\\
Why it's meaningful: The journey back home represents the soul\\
Best moment: For Georgia natives or honoring the journey home to rest.
by From Carousel (1945)
Powerful anthem of hope and companionship through life's darkest storms.
Why it's meaningful: Reassures mourners they are not alone in their grief journey.
Best moment: Inspiring as a closing hymn or recessional.
by 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.
by Josh Groban
An uplifting tribute to someone who was a source of strength.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates how loved ones lift us up and continue to inspire even after death.
Best moment: Powerful during tributes or as a recessional.
by Coldplay
A song about wanting to help heal someone\\
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.
by Bill Withers
A gospel-influenced song about mutual support and community in times of need.
Why it's meaningful: Reminds mourners they don\\
Best moment: Uplifting for community-focused or church services.
by 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.
by Bill and Gloria Gaither
Written during the turbulent late 1960s, this song finds hope in Christ\\
Why it's meaningful: Christ\\
Best moment: Hopeful choice for celebrating resurrection faith.
by Edwin Hawkins Singers
This joyful arrangement of an 18th-century hymn became a crossover hit, reaching #4 on Billboard\\
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.
by Rod Stewart
A parent\\
Why it's meaningful: Captures a parent\\
Best moment: Uplifting choice for celebrating a son\\
by 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.
by Brad Paisley ft. Dolly Parton
A hopeful country duet about heaven\\
Why it's meaningful: While emotional about separation, the focus on eventual reunion and heaven\\
Best moment: Bittersweet choice balancing sorrow with hope of reunion.
by 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\\
Best moment: Second line or recessional for celebration of life services.
by Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick\\
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.
by 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.
by The Spinners
The Spinners\\
Why it's meaningful: The promise to always be around offers comfort that the deceased\\
Best moment: Comforting for honoring those who were always there for others.
by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder\\
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\\
by Bob Marley
An uplifting reggae classic with the reassuring message that
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.
by Diamond Rio
A wish for just one more day with someone who has passed.
Why it's meaningful: Captures the universal desire for more time with those we love.
Best moment: Helps express gratitude for the time we had while acknowledging our wish for more.
by Scorpions
A rock anthem about hope, change, and new beginnings.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates transformation and the hope for a better tomorrow.
Best moment: Uplifting choice for those who embraced change.
by Alphaville
A wish for eternal youth and endless possibilities.
Why it's meaningful: Expresses the hope that loved ones remain forever young in our hearts.
Best moment: Meaningful for young lives lost too soon.
by Avicii
An electronic anthem about brotherhood and unconditional support.
Why it's meaningful: Modern take on the eternal bond between brothers.
Best moment: Energetic tribute for younger generations.
by Kirk Franklin
From the groundbreaking
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.
by 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\\
Best moment: Second line celebration for those who lived adventurous lives.
by Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters\\
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.
by Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters\\
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.
by John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker\\
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.
by Glenn Miller
Iconic big band instrumental that defined the swing era.
Why it's meaningful: Celebrates the joy and energy of someone who loved life and music.
Best moment: Joyful choice for a celebration of life or reception.
by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
A modern tribute to friendship and the promise of reunion.
Why it's meaningful: Speaks to younger generations about loss and remembrance.
Best moment: Resonates particularly with younger mourners.
by 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.