Funeral songs for Dad

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

Thomas Chisholm wrote the words in 1923, and churches of many kinds still sing it. Suits a parent whose faith held through good years and hard ones.

William Blake's words, set by Hubert Parry in 1916. A rousing English hymn to end a service, for someone who loved their country.

Cecil Spring Rice's poem, set in 1921 to Holst's tune from Jupiter. Sung at Remembrance services and often chosen for someone who served.

A Welsh hymn sung to the tune Cwm Rhondda, the same one rugby crowds sing. Rousing for a Welsh family or anyone who loved a good sing.

The Navy Hymn, written by William Whiting in 1860 and sung by the Royal Navy and the US Navy. For a sailor, a veteran or a lover of the sea.

Isaac Watts's version of Psalm 90, sung at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. A steady choice for someone who served or lived a long life.

A slow gospel song from 1925 about the memories of loved ones. A tender pick for a mom, a dad or a grandparent.

Thomas A. Dorsey wrote it in 1939 for Mahalia Jackson, and Elvis sang it on TV in 1957. A calm pick for a dad or grandfather who loved Elvis.

Steve Green's 1988 song about passing faith on to the next generation. Fitting for a parent or grandparent who lived their faith.

Ira Stanphill wrote it in 1949, and Elvis recorded it in 1960. A Southern gospel favorite for a dad or grandfather who loved the old songs.

A man gets hard news from his doctor and starts living fully with the time he has. For a dad, or anyone who made the most of every day.

Holly Dunn wrote it as a Father's Day gift for her own father, a preacher. A tender choice for a dad.

Cole Swindell co-wrote it about his father, who died suddenly in 2013. For missing a dad when good things happen without him.

Lori McKenna wrote it as advice for her own children. Families choose it for a mom or dad whose values they carry on.

Alan Jackson's tribute to his late father, built on memories of an old boat and a pickup. For a dad who taught by doing.

A father far from home calls his wife and children. Military families took it to heart, and it suits a dad who still feels close.

The whole life of a hardworking country man, from his boyhood on the farm to his last days. For a dad or grandpa who lived simply.

A father and son across three goodbyes, from a scared little boy to his dad's last days. Often chosen for a dad.

Kenny Rogers tells of a card player sharing his advice on a train. For a dad or grandpa who loved cards and a good story.

A grown woman goes back to her childhood home and the memories in every room. For parents who made a family home.

Johnny Cash remembers a poor family that sang together at home, and a brother now gone. Lively, for a mom or dad who loved to sing.

Bob Dylan wrote it for a sheriff's death scene in the western Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Short and plain, it suits a dad or anyone.

Rod Stewart's slow, swelling song of longing, a UK number one in 1975. A favorite at British funerals, fitting for a dad or grandfather.

Lynyrd Skynyrd's long ballad about a man who has to move on, ending in a famous guitar solo. A send-off for a free spirit.

Cat Stevens sings both parts, a father giving advice and a son set on his own path. Often chosen for a dad.

Otis Redding's easy, whistling soul song, released just after he died. For a dad or friend who loved the water and quiet days.

Bob Seger's lively tribute to the music he grew up on, famous from the film Risky Business. An upbeat exit for a dad who loved rock and roll.

Celine Dion's song of thanks, from the film Up Close & Personal. Families choose it for a parent or a partner.

A gentle song about a son and his late father. Families choose it for a dad, and for a quiet moment of reflection.

Dan Fogelberg's thank-you to his father, a band leader and music teacher. For a dad, especially one who loved music.

From the film Coco, a father's song to his young daughter; played for a dad or a grandparent.

An upbeat Avicii song built around a father's advice to his child; played for dads and young people who loved life.

Dean Lewis wrote it after his father was diagnosed with cancer; for a last goodbye to a father or a mother.

Sam Fender's song about a son and his father, close but often at odds; a choice for a dad that entered a British funeral chart in 2025.

The bugle call sounded at US military funerals, just before the flag is folded and handed to the family.

The British Army bugle call played at Remembrance services and at the funerals of veterans across the Commonwealth.

An Irish ballad of homesickness and growing old, sung slowly. A fitting song for an Irish father or grandfather.