When we think of funerals, we don’t immediately jump to thinking about songs to play at funerals and celebration. Even though funerals are sad occasions, it’s important to remember that they serve the purpose of celebrating a life, and music is an inherent part of celebration. The music chosen for a loved one’s funeral plays an important role in setting the tone for the event. Music is a sensory, emotional experience, so it’s important to get it right. When choosing songs to play at funerals, there are a number of things to think about. Firstly, you should consider the preferences of the person who has passed away, and whether they had any favourite songs or had voiced any wishes about music to be played at their funeral or memorial service. If they have expressed such wishes, it’s important that these wishes are respected. The next thing to consider is what you want to achieve through your choice of songs? If your lost loved one was religious, it may be that you decide to keep the funeral music to a selection of appropriate hymns, however even these can be used to uplift, provide comfort or to give a moment of reflection depending on the choice. In our experience as funeral directors, we often find that religious families choose to mix both hymns and other songs into the service. The following is a list of songs we think are great for funerals. Some of them might not seem like songs to play at funerals, but listen to the lyrics if you are unsure and decide for yourself. These are not in any particular order and we have not categorised them. They are all great songs in their own right – some sombre, some emotional, some are uplifting and even a few humorous and quite possibly inappropriate songs in their very own list at the end. Let us know if you have anything to add! You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban Josh Groban – You Raise Me Up (Official Music Video) | Warner Vault – YouTube Take These Wings – This song is beautiful done by a pair of vocalists Take These Wings – YouTube Somewhere Over the Rainbow –OFFICIAL Somewhere over the Rainbow – Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole – YouTube Amazing Grace [OFFICIAL VIDEO] Amazing Grace – Pentatonix – YouTube What a Wonderful World – WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD. – Louie Armstrong Cover by Abby Ward – YouTube My Way – Frank Sinatra – My Way (Remastered 2008) – YouTube Supermarket Flowers Ed Sheeran – Ed Sheeran – Supermarket Flowers [Official Audio] – YouTube Halo – Beyonce – Beyoncé – Halo – YouTube Everywhere – Michele Branch Michelle Branch – Everywhere [Official Music Video] – YouTube Wherever You Will Go – The Calling The Calling – Wherever You Will Go (Official Video) – YouTube Follow the Sun – Xavier Rudd Xavier Rudd – Follow The Sun [official music video] – YouTube Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum Spirit In The Sky … Read More