Music is one of the world’s universal languages. It can be used to elicit emotions and change our moods. Whether you’re happy, sad, or mad, the way we feel can be changed by music. The right song can be more powerful than trying to find the right words to say and everyone will be able to connect with it. When a song that we haven’t heard in a while comes on, it evokes loads of memories from the past — especially if they happened around the deceased. 

It doesn’t matter what type of music you like because there are “funeral songs” in nearly every genre of music. Whether it’s hip hop or classical, there is a song for every situation. When you’re thinking about the song that you want to use to honor the deceased, lots of families will select an artist that they are already familiar with. Your options don’t have to be limited to one or two artists — there are hundreds to choose from. There are lots of popular songs that are played at funerals and maybe from someone you’ve never heard of.

How To Choose The Music 

Choosing the perfect song to honor your loved one can seem like a daunting task. How can you possibly pick ONE song out of the millions in circulation? The first thing you should determine is what type of music will fit your loved one’s preferences. What type of artists made them happy? The funeral service is to honor your loved one and celebrate their life — what better way to do that than playing music they loved! 

You also have to keep in mind the type of music your guests will enjoy listening to. If your loved one enjoyed listening to heavy metal, that may not be something that your guests enjoy listening to all day. Rather than continually playing one type of music, try switching it up to appease the entire crowd. This will make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone and allow people to feel comfortable at the funeral service. 

To select your songs, you need to think about a few things. Think about the genre of music your loved one enjoyed and ask yourself these questions. 

• Should the songs be directly talking about death and the afterlife? 
• Should the songs be mentioning certain characteristics or qualities the deceased had?
• Should the songs be reminiscing on memories of the past? 
• Is the chosen genre appropriate for the mood of the funeral? 

A Few Popular Choices

After you’ve answered these questions, you should have a better idea of what type of music you’re looking for. Within the two biggest music categories, there are lots of popular options to choose from.

Here are some choices from each:

Country: 

Luke Bryan | Drink A Beer 

Luke Bryan conveys how sometimes mourning is simple and quiet. This song encourages you to take a moment and remember the things you did with a loved one. 

Cole Swindell | You Should Be Here 

This song evokes what it feels like to miss someone and how you wish you could share more memories together. The difference between a beautiful day and a perfect day is having someone you love share it with you. When they’re no longer here, it makes the days seem much darker.  

Chris Stapleton | Broken Halos 

This song is about losing a loved one who died before “their time”. Sometimes our loved ones are taken from us too soon, and it feels like there’s a broken halo hanging over our head. Chris Stapleton wrote this song the day his best friend passed away from pancreatic cancer. 

Brad Paisley | When I Get Where I’m Going 

This is a powerful song about what Heaven will be like when you pass away. It shows the loved ones that are still alive, that everything will be okay. It can be hard to let someone go, but once they get where they’re going, you can be comforted knowing that they’ll be safe and happy. 

Pop:

Sam Smith | Lay Me Down

Lay Me Down is about losing someone you love and expressing to them how much they meant to you. Oftentimes, it’s the little things about someone that you miss the most. It can be very overwhelming to lose someone you loved. 

Kanye West and Paul McCartney | Only One 

Kanye West wrote this song after his daughter North was born. At the same time, his mother passed away, and this song was dedicated to his mother and wishing she could see his daughter grow up. 

Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth | See You Again 

This powerful song was featured on the Fast and Furious 7 soundtrack and is from two different perspectives. The first verse is from the family’s point of view and talks about how much they miss their friend. The second verse is from their friend’s point of view reflecting on the friendships and memories he made. 

Ed Sheeran | Supermarket Flowers 

Ed Sheeran wrote this song for his grandmother who passed away while he was writing his album. This song talks about all the little things we do with our loved ones and when they pass away, it feels like those things are missing from our hearts. 

We’re Here For You 

Music can have very positive effects on you when you’re experiencing hard times in your life. When you can’t think of the right words to say at a funeral, let the music speak for you. There are so many songs that could be used to express your feelings and these are only a small percentage of the ones available. 

If you’ve recently experienced a death in the family, let us help you with your funeral planning. Whether it’s helping to pick out the casket, flowers, type of ceremony, or music, we’re here for you. It’s our job to make sure the stress of planning is off of your shoulders and you can mourn with your family in peace. 

If you have any questions or would like to speak with one of our funeral directors, call us at (402) 474.3600