Funeral Songs for Every Part of the Service, Religious or Not
Choosing funeral songs is one more decision at a hard time. This list gathers 87 hymns, classical pieces and memorial songs, each with its artist or writer and year, arranged by the part of the service: the entrance, a moment of reflection, the exit, a memorial video or a celebration of life. Filter by religious or non-religious and by who you are remembering, then share the list with the officiant or funeral director.
- Free to use
- Religious and non-religious
- Writer or artist and year on every song
- Share with the officiant
Showing 87 of 87 songs
Entrance
12 songsAs guests take their seats, or as the coffin or urn is brought in.
Canon in D
Johann Pachelbelc. 1680
Gentle and steady while guests take their seats, and easy to fade at any point.
- Non-religious
- Classical
Air on the G String
Johann Sebastian Bachc. 1730
Bach's slow Air from the early 1730s, best known in an 1871 arrangement for violin.
- Non-religious
- Classical
Clair de lune
Claude Debussy1905
Soft solo piano, published in 1905. Calm without feeling heavy.
- Non-religious
- Classical
Gymnopédie No. 1
Erik Satie1888
A slow, simple piano piece from 1888, about three minutes long.
- Non-religious
- Classical
Largo (Going Home)
Antonín Dvořák1893
The slow movement of the New World Symphony (1893), later sung with words as "Goin' Home".
- Non-religious
- Classical
Ave Maria
Franz Schubert1825
Schubert's 1825 song, sung as the Latin prayer. A church favorite, sung or played on strings.
- Religious
- Classical
- Hymns & Christian
Ashokan Farewell
Jay Ungar1982
A fiddle waltz written in 1982 and known from the 1990 PBS series The Civil War.
- Non-religious
- Folk & World
Be Thou My Vision
Traditional (Irish hymn)1912
An old Irish hymn. The English verse most churches sing was published in 1912.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
Morning Has Broken
Cat Stevens1971
Cat Stevens' 1971 recording of a Christian hymn, with a gentle piano part.
- Religious
- Folk & World
- Hymns & Christian
Over the Rainbow
Eva Cassidy1992
Eva Cassidy's hushed version, third in Co-op Funeralcare's 2025 survey of UK funerals.
- Non-religious
- Jazz & Standards
- Folk & World
The Lark Ascending
Ralph Vaughan Williams1914
A solo violin rising over the orchestra, for someone who loved the countryside.
- Non-religious
- Classical
Hallelujah
Jeff Buckley1994
Buckley's slow take on the Leonard Cohen song. Some churches prefer hymns, so check with your venue.
- Non-religious
- Rock
Reflection
37 songsA quiet moment during the service, after a reading or the eulogy.
Clair de lune
Claude Debussy1905
Soft solo piano, published in 1905. Calm without feeling heavy.
- Non-religious
- Classical
Ave Maria
Franz Schubert1825
Schubert's 1825 song, sung as the Latin prayer. A church favorite, sung or played on strings.
- Religious
- Classical
- Hymns & Christian
Over the Rainbow
Eva Cassidy1992
Eva Cassidy's hushed version, third in Co-op Funeralcare's 2025 survey of UK funerals.
- Non-religious
- Jazz & Standards
- Folk & World
Amazing Grace
Traditional (John Newton)1779
The hymn most mourners can sing from memory, first published in 1779. Also played on bagpipes.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
Abide with Me
Henry Francis Lyte1847
Written in 1847 and usually sung to William Monk's tune Eventide. The only hymn in Co-op Funeralcare's 2025 top ten.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
It Is Well with My Soul
Horatio Spafford & Philip Bliss1876
A hymn of peace in hard times, first published in 1876.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
The Old Rugged Cross
George Bennard1912
A well-loved 1912 hymn, familiar to many older churchgoers.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
In the Garden
C. Austin Miles1912
A gentle 1912 gospel song, a fitting choice for someone who loved their garden.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Joseph M. Scriven1855
Written in 1855 as a poem to comfort the writer's mother. The tune by Charles Converse followed in 1868.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
Pie Jesu (Requiem)
Gabriel Fauréc. 1887
From the Requiem Fauré composed between 1887 and 1890, a work focused on rest and consolation.
- Religious
- Classical
On Eagle's Wings
Michael Joncas1979
First written for a funeral in 1976 and published in 1979. Sung at many Catholic and Protestant services.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
Take My Hand, Precious Lord
Mahalia Jackson1956
Thomas A. Dorsey's gospel song in Mahalia Jackson's recording.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
His Eye Is on the Sparrow
Civilla D. Martin & Charles H. Gabriel1905
A 1905 gospel hymn and one of the most recorded gospel standards.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
I Can Only Imagine
MercyMe1999
A contemporary Christian ballad about what heaven might be like.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
- Pop
The Prayer
Celine Dion & Andrea Bocelli1998
A duet in English and Italian, sung as a prayer for guidance.
- Religious
- Pop
Nimrod (Enigma Variations)
Edward Elgar1899
The slow, dignified ninth variation of Elgar's Enigma Variations (1899).
- Non-religious
- Classical
Adagio for Strings
Samuel Barber1936
Barber's 1936 work for strings: slow, spacious and deeply felt.
- Non-religious
- Classical
The Lark Ascending
Ralph Vaughan Williams1914
A solo violin rising over the orchestra, for someone who loved the countryside.
- Non-religious
- Classical
Danny Boy
Traditional (Frederic Weatherly)1913
Weatherly's words set to the Irish tune Londonderry Air in 1913. A tender farewell.
- Non-religious
- Folk & World
Supermarket Flowers
Ed Sheeran2017
A quiet piano song about losing a mother, sixth in Co-op Funeralcare's 2025 UK survey.
- Non-religious
- Pop
Wind Beneath My Wings
Bette Midler1988
A thank-you to the person who held everyone up.
- Non-religious
- Pop
You Raise Me Up
Josh Groban2003
A soaring ballad of gratitude, sung at many services in this or the Westlife version.
- Non-religious
- Pop
Angels
Robbie Williams1997
A gentle ballad about being watched over, a common choice at British services.
- Non-religious
- Pop
Tears in Heaven
Eric Clapton1992
Clapton's quiet song of grief, written after the death of his young son.
- Non-religious
- Rock
Candle in the Wind
Elton John1973
The song Elton John rewrote for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997.
- Non-religious
- Pop
- Rock
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel1970
A promise of support in hard times, for a friend who was always there.
- Non-religious
- Folk & World
- Pop
Let It Be
The Beatles1970
Calm piano and a message of acceptance.
- Non-religious
- Rock
Smile
Nat King Cole1954
Built on the theme Charlie Chaplin wrote for his 1936 film Modern Times. Tender and brief.
- Non-religious
- Jazz & Standards
Hallelujah
Jeff Buckley1994
Buckley's slow take on the Leonard Cohen song. Some churches prefer hymns, so check with your venue.
- Non-religious
- Rock
Fix You
Coldplay2005
Begins with a quiet organ and builds slowly. Comfort for the people left behind.
- Non-religious
- Rock
Angel
Sarah McLachlan1997
A soft piano ballad, often chosen for a quiet moment.
- Non-religious
- Pop
The Living Years
Mike + The Mechanics1988
About the words left unsaid between a son and his late father.
- Non-religious
- Rock
- Pop
My Father's Eyes
Eric Clapton1998
A gentle Clapton song about fathers and sons.
- Non-religious
- Rock
Mama Liked the Roses
Elvis Presley1970
A gentle Elvis song about remembering Mama through the flowers she loved.
- Non-religious
- Pop
- Country
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd1975
An acoustic song about missing someone, for a friend who loved this band.
- Non-religious
- Rock
One Sweet Day
Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men1995
A soulful ballad about meeting again someday.
- Non-religious
- Soul, R&B & Hip-Hop
- Pop
The Dance
Garth Brooks1989
About being glad for the time you had, even knowing how it ends.
- Non-religious
- Country
Exit
23 songsThe recessional, as the family and guests leave.
Amazing Grace
Traditional (John Newton)1779
The hymn most mourners can sing from memory, first published in 1779. Also played on bagpipes.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
Nimrod (Enigma Variations)
Edward Elgar1899
The slow, dignified ninth variation of Elgar's Enigma Variations (1899).
- Non-religious
- Classical
Danny Boy
Traditional (Frederic Weatherly)1913
Weatherly's words set to the Irish tune Londonderry Air in 1913. A tender farewell.
- Non-religious
- Folk & World
You Raise Me Up
Josh Groban2003
A soaring ballad of gratitude, sung at many services in this or the Westlife version.
- Non-religious
- Pop
Time to Say Goodbye
Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli1996
The most played funeral song in Co-op Funeralcare's 2025 survey of more than 90,000 UK funerals.
- Non-religious
- Pop
- Classical
My Way
Frank Sinatra1969
A proud look back on a life lived on their own terms. Second in the same Co-op survey.
- Non-religious
- Jazz & Standards
How Great Thou Art
Carl Boberg & Stuart K. Hine1949
A Swedish hymn from 1885 in Stuart Hine's 1949 English version. A strong hymn to sing together.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
Here I Am, Lord
Dan Schutte1981
A widely sung Catholic hymn, published in 1981.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
I'll Fly Away
Albert E. Brumley1932
Published in 1932 and called the most recorded gospel song. Joyful enough for a celebration of life.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Traditional spiritual (Wallace Willis)c. 1868
An African-American spiritual, probably composed in the late 1860s.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
Jerusalem
Hubert Parry1916
William Blake's poem set to music by Parry in 1916. A stirring hymn at many British services.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
Blessed Assurance
Fanny Crosby & Phoebe Knapp1873
A joyful 1873 hymn, easy for a congregation to sing.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
Because He Lives
The Bill Gaither Trio1971
A gospel song of hope by Bill and Gloria Gaither.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Matt Redman2011
A modern worship song many congregations already know.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
Go Rest High on That Mountain
Vince Gill1994
A country farewell with gospel harmonies.
- Religious
- Country
- Hymns & Christian
You'll Never Walk Alone
Gerry and the Pacemakers1963
The song from Carousel that became a football anthem. In Co-op Funeralcare's 2025 top ten.
- Non-religious
- Pop
The Best
Tina Turner1989
A proud, upbeat tribute, fifth in Co-op Funeralcare's 2025 survey.
- Non-religious
- Rock
- Pop
We'll Meet Again
Vera Lynn1939
Vera Lynn's 1939 wartime song of farewell and hope, loved by an older generation.
- Non-religious
- Jazz & Standards
Taps
Daniel Butterfield1862
The bugle call Butterfield set down in 1862, sounded at US military funerals, often at the graveside.
- Non-religious
- Classical
Forever Young
Bob Dylan1974
A blessing in song, gentle enough for the end of a service.
- Non-religious
- Folk & World
- Rock
Here Comes the Sun
The Beatles1969
Hopeful and warm, for walking out into the daylight.
- Non-religious
- Rock
Thank You for the Music
ABBA1977
For someone whose life was full of music.
- Non-religious
- Pop
Spirit in the Sky
Norman Greenbaum1969
A gospel-flavored rock hit for a service that should end on a lift.
- Religious
- Rock
Memorial video
25 songsSongs for a photo slideshow or a tribute video.
Ashokan Farewell
Jay Ungar1982
A fiddle waltz written in 1982 and known from the 1990 PBS series The Civil War.
- Non-religious
- Folk & World
I Can Only Imagine
MercyMe1999
A contemporary Christian ballad about what heaven might be like.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
- Pop
Wind Beneath My Wings
Bette Midler1988
A thank-you to the person who held everyone up.
- Non-religious
- Pop
Smile
Nat King Cole1954
Built on the theme Charlie Chaplin wrote for his 1936 film Modern Times. Tender and brief.
- Non-religious
- Jazz & Standards
In My Life
The Beatles1965
Short and tender, about the people and places that shaped a life.
- Non-religious
- Rock
What a Wonderful World
Louis Armstrong1967
Slow and grateful, for photos of a long life well lived.
- Non-religious
- Jazz & Standards
Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole1993
A soft ukulele medley that carries a slideshow gently.
- Non-religious
- Folk & World
Unforgettable
Nat King Cole1951
A velvet-voiced standard for photos from their younger years.
- Non-religious
- Jazz & Standards
Keep Me in Your Heart
Warren Zevon2003
From the album Zevon recorded after a terminal diagnosis. A gentle request to be remembered.
- Non-religious
- Rock
- Folk & World
I Will Remember You
Sarah McLachlan1995
Soft and bittersweet, for a slideshow of shared memories.
- Non-religious
- Pop
Fields of Gold
Sting1993
A warm, unhurried song about a life and a love remembered.
- Non-religious
- Pop
See You Again
Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth2015
Written as a tribute to the actor Paul Walker, for a friend gone too soon.
- Non-religious
- Soul, R&B & Hip-Hop
- Pop
Who You'd Be Today
Kenny Chesney2005
A country ballad about someone who died young and the life they might have had.
- Non-religious
- Country
Dance with My Father
Luther Vandross2003
A tender soul ballad about missing a father.
- Non-religious
- Soul, R&B & Hip-Hop
Daddy's Hands
Holly Dunn1986
A country tribute to a father's strength and care. Pairs well with old family photos.
- Non-religious
- Country
A Song for Mama
Boyz II Men1997
A heartfelt R&B thank-you to a mother.
- Non-religious
- Soul, R&B & Hip-Hop
Grandma's Hands
Bill Withers1971
Bill Withers' short, warm tribute to his grandmother.
- Non-religious
- Soul, R&B & Hip-Hop
Holes in the Floor of Heaven
Steve Wariner1998
A country song about loved ones still watching over the family.
- Non-religious
- Country
If Tomorrow Never Comes
Garth Brooks1989
A gentle reminder to say what matters while you can.
- Non-religious
- Country
The Dance
Garth Brooks1989
About being glad for the time you had, even knowing how it ends.
- Non-religious
- Country
When I Get Where I'm Going
Brad Paisley feat. Dolly Parton2005
A country song of faith with Dolly Parton's harmony.
- Religious
- Country
- Hymns & Christian
Landslide
Fleetwood Mac1975
A quiet acoustic song about change and the passing years.
- Non-religious
- Rock
- Folk & World
You've Got a Friend
James Taylor1971
A soft promise of friendship, for photos with the people they loved.
- Non-religious
- Folk & World
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
Green Day1997
An acoustic look back at good times, often chosen for a friend.
- Non-religious
- Rock
If I Die Young
The Band Perry2010
Sometimes chosen for someone who died young. Listen first, as it speaks about death directly.
- Non-religious
- Country
Celebration of life
13 songsWarmer songs for a celebration of life or the gathering after.
I'll Fly Away
Albert E. Brumley1932
Published in 1932 and called the most recorded gospel song. Joyful enough for a celebration of life.
- Religious
- Hymns & Christian
The Best
Tina Turner1989
A proud, upbeat tribute, fifth in Co-op Funeralcare's 2025 survey.
- Non-religious
- Rock
- Pop
Forever Young
Bob Dylan1974
A blessing in song, gentle enough for the end of a service.
- Non-religious
- Folk & World
- Rock
Here Comes the Sun
The Beatles1969
Hopeful and warm, for walking out into the daylight.
- Non-religious
- Rock
Thank You for the Music
ABBA1977
For someone whose life was full of music.
- Non-religious
- Pop
What a Wonderful World
Louis Armstrong1967
Slow and grateful, for photos of a long life well lived.
- Non-religious
- Jazz & Standards
Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole1993
A soft ukulele medley that carries a slideshow gently.
- Non-religious
- Folk & World
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
Green Day1997
An acoustic look back at good times, often chosen for a friend.
- Non-religious
- Rock
Spirit in the Sky
Norman Greenbaum1969
A gospel-flavored rock hit for a service that should end on a lift.
- Religious
- Rock
Three Little Birds
Bob Marley & The Wailers1977
Easy, reassuring reggae for the gathering after the service.
- Non-religious
- Folk & World
Stand by Me
Ben E. King1961
A song about standing together, for friends and family in the same room.
- Non-religious
- Soul, R&B & Hip-Hop
I Hope You Dance
Lee Ann Womack2000
Good wishes for the living, often chosen in a mother's memory.
- Non-religious
- Country
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Monty Python1979
From Life of Brian. Some families choose it when the person asked for a smile at their service.
- Non-religious
- Film & Stage
Funeral Songs for Each Part of the Service
Most services have a few moments for music: something gentle as people arrive, a hymn or a song to reflect, and music to leave by. Some families add a memorial video or a celebration of life afterward. The tabs above follow that order, so you can choose one funeral song at a time instead of facing one long list.
- Five tabs: entrance, reflection, exit, memorial video and celebration of life
- Filters for religious or non-religious, who you are remembering and the feel of the music
- Hymns credited to their writers, so an organist, a soloist or any recording will do
- Keep a short list, put it in order and share it with the people helping you
How This Funeral Song List Can Help
A calm place to start, with nothing to sign up for.
Arranged by the service
Each funeral song sits under the part of the service it suits, so you can plan from the first note to the last.
Religious or not
Every song carries a Religious or Non-religious label, and one tap shows only the kind that fits the service.
Checked details
Each title, artist or writer and year was checked against public music data, so the song you name is the song that plays.
Hymns you can sing together
The Hymns & Christian filter collects 23 songs, including the funeral hymn choices most congregations know, from "Amazing Grace" to "How Great Thou Art".
Listen first, in your own app
Links open a search on Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube. Nothing plays on this page and nothing needs installing.
Easy to pass on
Copy the list or share a link with family, the officiant or the funeral director, so everyone works from the same order.
How to Choose Songs for a Funeral Service
Three gentle steps to choose each funeral song. There is no wrong answer.
- 1
Start with them
Think of the music they loved, the hymns from their church or a song that always brings them to mind. Search for it by title or artist.
- 2
Match each part of the service
Open each tab and pick one or two: something calm for the entrance, a hymn or song to reflect, and music to leave by.
- 3
Share the list
Put your picks in order, then copy the list, download it as a text file or share a link with the officiant or funeral director.
What the Funeral Song List Can Do
Simple tools, so the funeral music is one less thing to worry about.
Filters for the service and the person
Rows for the kind of service, who you are remembering and the feel of the music. Options in one row widen the list and a second row narrows it: Grandparent plus Religious shows four hymns, from "Amazing Grace" to "How Great Thou Art".
Try the filtersA tab for each part of the service
Entrance, reflection, exit, memorial video and celebration of life, each with a count that follows your filters. A song that fits two moments appears in both.
See the parts of the serviceA list you can pass on
Tap the heart to keep a song, drag your picks into order and rename the list. Copy it as numbered lines, download a text file or share a link that opens the same list.
Start a listExample: Funeral Music for an Order of Service
One way to shape the funeral music, from the first note to the last.
Entrance: "Air on the G String", Johann Sebastian Bach. Opening hymn: "Amazing Grace", first published in 1779. Readings and the eulogy, without music. Reflection: "Over the Rainbow", Eva Cassidy (1992). Memorial video: "What a Wonderful World", Louis Armstrong (1967), and "In My Life", The Beatles (1965). Closing hymn: "How Great Thou Art". Exit: "Time to Say Goodbye", Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli (1996). For a non-religious service, the two hymns can become "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel (1970) and "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban (2003). Ask the venue early whether music is played from a recording or by a musician.
Common Funeral Songs, Hymns and Instrumentals
Four kinds of music most services draw on, from hymns to classic songs for funerals.
A funeral hymn to sing together
"Amazing Grace" (1779), "Abide with Me" (1847), "How Great Thou Art" and "The Old Rugged Cross" (1912) are familiar to many congregations.
Classical and instrumental
Music without words leaves room for thought: Pachelbel's "Canon in D", Elgar's "Nimrod" (1899) and Barber's "Adagio for Strings" (1936). The Instrumental filter has ten.
Songs people know
In Co-op Funeralcare's 2025 survey of UK funerals, the most played were "Time to Say Goodbye", "My Way" and Eva Cassidy's "Over the Rainbow".
For a celebration of life
Warmer songs for a gathering that remembers with gratitude: "I'll Fly Away" (1932), "What a Wonderful World" (1967) and "Here Comes the Sun" (1969).
Funeral Song Planner by Type of Service
Starting points for three kinds of service. Every pick is in the list.
| Funeral Song Planner by Type of Service | Religious service | Non-religious service | Celebration of life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usual feel | Hymns and prayerful music | Their favorite songs and gentle classics | Warmer, with room for stories |
| Entrance | Ave Maria | Canon in D | Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World |
| Reflection | It Is Well with My Soul | Over the Rainbow | In My Life |
| Exit | How Great Thou Art | Time to Say Goodbye | Here Comes the Sun |
| Songs to sing together | Amazing Grace | You'll Never Walk Alone | Stand by Me |
Memorial Songs for Mom, Dad, Grandparents and Friends
The For filter, a few memorial songs at a time.
For Mom
A memorial song for a mother: "Supermarket Flowers" by Ed Sheeran (2017), "A Song for Mama" by Boyz II Men (1997) and "Mama Liked the Roses" by Elvis Presley (1970). Our song for mom page has more.
For Dad
"Dance with My Father" by Luther Vandross (2003), "The Living Years" by Mike + The Mechanics (1988) and "Danny Boy". The song for dad page has an in-memory section.
For a grandparent
"Grandma's Hands" by Bill Withers (1971), "We'll Meet Again" by Vera Lynn (1939) and "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" by Steve Wariner (1998). See also song for grandma.
For a friend
"See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth (2015), "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (1970) and "Who You'd Be Today" by Kenny Chesney (2005).
For a veteran
"Taps", the bugle call Daniel Butterfield set down in 1862, is sounded at US military funerals. If the service has a hymn, "Amazing Grace" sits well beside it.
For a memorial video
At about five seconds a photo, one song carries around 40 photos. Gentle choices: "In My Life", "Fields of Gold" by Sting (1993) and "You've Got a Friend" by James Taylor (1971).
Funeral Song FAQ
Short answers to the questions families ask most.