Funeral songs families choose most often

John Newton's hymn from 1779, known in nearly every church and played on the pipes at many military and police funerals.

A duet in Italian and English about parting, quiet at first and full by the end. Often played to close a British funeral.

Sinatra's signature song, a proud look back over a whole life. One of the most requested funeral songs in Britain, often for a dad.

Eva Cassidy's hushed version of the song from The Wizard of Oz, third on Co-op Funeralcare's 2025 list of UK funeral songs.

A Swedish hymn put into English in 1949, then sung at Billy Graham's crusades. A favorite for someone of deep, quiet faith.

Bette Midler's song of thanks from the film Beaches, for the one who held the family up. Often chosen for a mother or a partner.

Louis Armstrong's slow, warm song of thanks for everyday life. It suits a grandparent, or the close of a service.

Henry Lyte wrote it in 1847 as his health failed. One of the hymns British families choose most, and sung at the FA Cup final since 1927.

A slow ballad that swells to a big finish, sung by Josh Groban. Families choose it to thank a mother or father.

Ed Sheeran wrote it after his grandmother died, in his mother's voice; a gentle choice for a mother or a grandmother.

Leonard Cohen's own recording of the song many families know from later covers. Slow and searching, for a time of quiet reflection.

Vince Gill finished this song after his brother died. A gentle farewell with faith in heaven, for a brother or for anyone.

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's gentle ukulele medley of two old favorites. Calm and hopeful, it suits the photos or the close of a service.

Gerry and the Pacemakers' 1963 hit from the musical Carousel, sung by Liverpool fans ever since. A comfort for a football fan, or anyone.

Bart Millard of MercyMe wrote it years after his father died. A hopeful song about heaven that suits almost any Christian service.

Eric Clapton's song about the loss of his young son. Quiet and acoustic, chosen for a child or for anyone who died too soon.

Tina Turner's proud, upbeat hit, often called Simply the Best. One of the songs most chosen at British funerals, and fitting to walk out to.

Vera Lynn's hopeful goodbye from the Second World War. A British favorite for the war generation, and a gentle way to close a service.

Michael Joncas wrote it in 1976 for the funeral of a friend's father, drawing on Psalm 91. Now heard at many Catholic funerals.

Horatio Spafford wrote it after his four daughters were lost at sea in 1873. Families choose it because it came out of real grief.

Psalm 23 from the Scottish Psalter of 1650, sung to the tune Crimond. Heard at Queen Elizabeth II's wedding in 1947 and at her funeral.

Schubert's Ave Maria, a quiet prayer to Mary sung at many Catholic funerals and often chosen for a devout mother.

Lizzy of the Canadian twin duo wrote it after a friend died; a gentle goodbye that made Britain's top ten funeral songs in 2023.

A cheerful old gospel song full of hope for heaven. Many families play it at the end, as everyone walks out together.

Robbie Williams' slow ballad, for years one of the songs most chosen at British funerals. Comforting at the start or the end of a service.

Luther Vandross remembers the father he lost as a boy. Tender and sad, for a dad, and often chosen by his children.

Garth Brooks looks back on a love that ended, grateful for the time it lasted. For a husband or wife, or anyone dearly missed.

C. Austin Miles wrote it in 1912, picturing Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. A gentle favorite of many grandmothers and keen gardeners.

An Irish farewell sung to the Londonderry Air, often played on the bagpipes or sung for a father or grandfather.

Nat King Cole's tender love song, chosen for a husband or wife. Gentle enough to play as people walk in.

A slow song of comfort with a gospel feel, sung by Art Garfunkel. For a loyal friend, or anyone who was always there.

Paul McCartney wrote it after dreaming of his late mother. A calm, comforting choice for a mother or for anyone.

Sting's song, sung softly by Eva Cassidy with her guitar. A gentle love song, often chosen for a husband or wife.

Dolly Parton wrote it and Whitney Houston made it famous in The Bodyguard. A loving farewell, chosen for a partner or a mother.

George Bennard wrote it in 1912, and small-town churches across America have sung it since. Fits a father or grandfather of steady faith.

Thomas A. Dorsey wrote it in 1932 after losing his wife and baby son. Mahalia Jackson sang it at Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral.

A story song about a man who loses his grandmother as a boy and his wife years later. For a grandparent, a husband or wife, or a mother.

A hopeful goodbye from Carrie Underwood, rooted in her faith that loved ones meet again. It suits the close of a service.

Cecil Frances Alexander wrote it for children in 1848. A bright hymn for someone who loved their garden, the countryside or their animals.

Eleanor Farjeon's hymn from 1931, set to an old Gaelic tune and made famous by Cat Stevens in 1971. A gentle choice to walk in to.

The cheerful, whistled closing song of Monty Python's Life of Brian, with one crude line. A light exit for someone with a dry sense of humor.

A cheerful rock song about going to heaven, with a famous fuzz guitar. Often chosen to end a service on a lighter note.

Elvis at his gentlest, in a love song many couples danced to at their wedding. A natural choice for a husband or wife.

A love song full of longing, known to many from the film Ghost. Families choose it for a husband or wife.

Chord Overstreet wrote it after losing someone close, imagining that loss with a person he loved; often chosen for someone who died young.

Lewis Capaldi has said he wrote it about losing his grandmother, though many hear a breakup in it; often played at British funerals.

George Harrison wrote it on a sunny spring day in a friend's garden. A hopeful, gentle way to end a celebration of life.

The Beatles' short, tender look back at the people who mattered most. It suits a husband or wife, or a lifelong friend.

Queen's slow, orchestral ballad from the film Highlander, about love and how short life is. For a partner or anyone.

Pink Floyd's quiet song about missing someone, written partly about their former bandmate Syd Barrett. For a friend, or a dad who loved the band.