Funeral Songs- The Best Bittersweet Melodies To Play At A Funeral

Attending a funeral is no easy task, holding a funeral service for a loved one is a terrible pain that all of us have to go through. As much as it is painful, it can also be soothing, reflecting back on the memories that you shared with your loved ones is equally important.

You might have noticed that almost all the funerals that you have attended have used the power of music to soothe and sometimes even arouse feelings of empathy and sadness. It is easy to say that music plays a very important vital part in our lives and even in death. 

How Music Plays An Integral Part Of Your Funeral Service 

Music has changed the lives of people, it has brought them happiness and it has also brought sorrow. For the most part, it has transformed our lives for the better, our emotions and certain feelings can now be easily associated with music.

Whenever we hear a certain song or even a melody while walking down the road, it takes us back to a place where we felt happiness, sorrow, or something else entirely. Funeral Services are incomplete without music and here are the reasons why you should always include them at a Funeral Service or Funeral Repast.

It Honors Our Loved Ones In A Meaningful Way

Music is associated with a lot of feelings, which also include love, recollection, and even remembrance. The songs that you shared with your loved ones are always cherished. We choose the type of music that respectfully reflects the life, hobbies, interests, struggles, and achievements of our loved ones who are no longer with us.

Using this type of music will not only soothe the family of the departed but will also honor the legacy that they left behind. You can choose the music from your own collection or from the collection of your loved one who is no longer with you.

Some really good options to go with are Instrumental music, hymns, and even songs.

Music Does Wonders For You

Listening to music actually changes our mood and you too have noticed that. When we listen to music, the brain releases Dopamine, the “Happy” feel-good neurochemical. Dopamine is responsible for providing the sensation of pleasure and happiness.

Music produces Dopamine, you can try that out for yourself. In a funeral service, dopamine is much needed as it will calm the nerves and soothe the soul. Music is good for the soul and the body as it actively reduces tension anxiety and pain. 

Another great reason for using music at a funeral service is that it regulates your pulse and your heartbeat. Listening to music, especially in a setting of grief and sorrow will rid you of depression and nausea.

Music Holds A Special Bond With Memories and Emotions 

Music is often associated with a lot of special memories and emotions, one meaningful song can take you back to the wonderful memories you shared with your loved ones. Since music holds a very special place in our hearts, why not use it at a funeral service to entice those feelings further?

Sometimes the specific lyrics to a song or even the artists performing those songs can take you back to a time when you felt protected and happy. Feeling happy and protected like this will allow you to process grief better.

Music Is A Constant Companion 

No matter what happens, the music never leaves your side, it is a constant companion through all the phases of life. May it be joy or sorrow, you will always find sanctuary in sweet musical bliss. When words no longer do justice to our feelings, we find solace and communication through music. 

Music allows us to reflect back on life, the choices we made along the way and even appreciate how far we have come.

Music Is A Communal Experience

Families get together to celebrate life and when a life is taken from them, they come together to provide comfort to each other. Music holds such a power that it actually unites people under one banner, under one key focus. With that being said, music is actually a communal experience.

Music can be experienced in many ways, we can experience it as an audience, by singing, or even by singing as a congregation.

Live Music Is Even Better 

Music is just so much better when it is being performed live, everyone agrees to that. Is there a musician in your family or your friend? You can always invite them to a funeral service, this will allow them to showcase a soothing musical session. Live music holds such power that no amount of DVD or a USB ever can.

You can even hire a vocalist for the funeral service, a heavyhearted cello is also a very good option to go for. Music is a great way to honor the dead, it brings back the memories that we shared with them. Music also gives us structure, it allows us to manifest our mourning in a relaxing way. Music holds us together so we may never become lost!

Best Songs To Play At A Funeral 

Here are some of the best funeral songs chosen by Team Inspirational Stories. We hope that these songs bring you peace and comfort in your times of sorrow. Our wishes and thoughts always go out to you!

1. Robbie Williams- “Angels”

Lyrics

I sit and wait
Does an angel contemplate my fate
And do they know
The places where we go
When we’re grey and old
‘Cause I have been told
That salvation lets their wings unfold

So when I’m lying in my bed
Thoughts running through my head
And I feel that love is dead
I’m loving angels instead

And through it all she offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I’m right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won’t break me
When I come to call
She won’t forsake me
I’m loving angels instead

 

2. Bill Staines- “All Things Bright and Beautiful” (Traditional Version)

Lyrics 

All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All things wise and wonderful
‘Twas God that made them all

Each little flower that opens
Each little bird that sings
He made their glowing colors
And made their tiny wings

All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All things wise and wonderful
‘Twas God that made them all

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HyWkC64X08

3. Frank Sinatra- “My Way”

Lyrics

And now the end is here
And so I face that final curtain
My friend I’ll make it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more
I did it, I did it my way

Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again too few to mention
I did what I had to do
I saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much, much more
I did it, I did it my way

Yes, there were times I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way

 

4. Audrey Assad- “Abide With Me”

Lyrics

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not, abide with me

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness
Where is death’s sting?
Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee
In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me
Abide with me, abide with me

 

5. Bette Midler- “Wind Beneath My Wings”

Lyrics

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
It must have been cold there in my shadow
To never have sunlight on your face
You were content to let me shine, that’s your way
You always walked a step behind

So I was the one with all the glory
While you were the one with all the strength
A beautiful face without a name for so long
A beautiful smile to hide the pain

Did you ever know that you’re my hero
And everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings

It might have appeared to go unnoticed
But I’ve got it all here in my heart
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it
I would be nothing without you

 

6. Andrea Bocelli- “Amazing Grace”

Lyrics 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see

T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see

Was blind, but now I see

 

7. Louis Armstrong- “What A Wonderful World”

Lyrics

I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying
“I love you”

I hear babies cry
I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more
Than I’ll never know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Oh yeah

 

8. Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman- “Time To Say Goodbye”

Lyrics

Time to say goodbye
To countries I never
Saw and shared with you
Now, yes, I shall see them
I’ll go with you
Go on ships across seas
Which, I know,
No, no, don’t exist anymore
It’s time to say goodbye. (Translated From Italian)

 

9. Nat King Cole- “Unforgettable”

Lyrics

Unforgettable
Unforgettable
That’s what you are
Unforgettable
Tho’ near or far.

Like a song of love
That clings to me
How the thought of you
Does things to me
Never before
Has someone been more

Unforgettable
In every way
And forever more
That’s how you’ll stay.

That’s why, darling
It’s incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am
Unforgettable, too.

Unforgettable
In every way
And forever more
That’s how you’ll stay.

That’s why, darling
It’s incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am
Unforgettable, too.

 

10. Vera Lynn- “We’ll Meet Again”

Lyrics 

Let’s say goodbye with a smile, dear
Just for a while dear we must part
Don’t let this parting upset you
I’ll not forget you, sweetheart

We’ll meet again
Don’t know where
Don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day

Keep smiling through
Just like you always do
‘Til the blue skies chase those dark clouds far away

And I will just say hello
To the folks that you know
Tell them you won’t be long
They’ll be happy to know
That as I saw you go
You were singing this song

We’ll meet again
Don’t know where
Don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day

And I will just say hello
To the folks that you know
Tell them you won’t be long
They’ll be happy to know
That as I saw you go
You were singing this song

We’ll meet again
Don’t know where
Don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day

 

11. Chantal Kreviazuk- “Feels Like Home”

Lyrics

Something in your eyes
Makes me wanna lose myself
Makes me wanna lose myself
In your arms

There’s something in your voice

Makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts
The rest of my life
If you knew how lonely my life has been

And how long I’ve been so alone

If you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you’ve done

Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I’m all the way back where

 

12. Beyonce- “Halo”

Lyrics

Remember those walls I built?
Well, baby, they’re tumblin’ down
And they didn’t even put up a fight
They didn’t even make a sound
I found a way to let you in
But I never really had a doubt
Standin’ in the light of your halo
I got my angel now

It’s like I’ve been awakened
Every rule I had you breakin’
It’s the risk that I’m takin’
I ain’t never gonna shut you out

Everywhere I’m lookin’ now
I’m surrounded by your embrace
Baby, I can see your halo
You know you’re my savin’ grace
You’re everything I need and more
It’s written all over your face
Baby, I can feel your halo
Pray it won’t fade away

I can feel your halo, halo, halo
I can see your halo, halo, halo
I can feel your halo, halo, halo
I can see your halo, halo
Halo

 

13. Josh Groban- “You Raise Me Up”

Lyrics

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until You come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.

You raise me up to more than I can be.

 

14. Jeff Buckley- Hallelujah

Lyrics

I heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do you?

Well it goes like this the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Well your faith was strong but you needed proof

You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to her kitchen chair

She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips, she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah

 

15. Ed Sheeran- Supermarket Flowers

Lyrics

I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill
I threw the day old tea from the cup
Packed up the photo album Matthew had made
Memories of a life that’s been loved
Took the get well soon cards and stuffed animals
Poured the old ginger beer down the sink
Dad always told me, “Don’t you cry when you’re down”
But mum, there’s a tear every time that I blink

Oh I’m in pieces, it’s tearing me up, but I know
A heart that’s broke is a heart that’s been loved

So I’ll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you’d be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back we’ll say Hallelujah
You’re home

Fluffed the pillows, made the beds, stacked the chairs up
Folded your nightgowns neatly in a case
John says he’d drive then put his hand on my cheek
And wiped a tear from the side of my face

I hope that I see the world as you did ’cause I know
A life with love is a life that’s been lived

So I’ll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you’d be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back we’ll say Hallelujah
You’re home

Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
You got to see the person I have become
Spread your wings and I know
That when God took you back he said Hallelujah
You’re home

 

How To Choose Funeral Songs

You have an amazing music idea for a funeral, the kind of music that will comfort everyone, but you still have to know if it will be accepted by others or not. This is a confusion that everyone faces while choosing songs for a funeral, you need to respect everyone. Even though your friend/family member wanted a song according to “Their Wishes” at the funeral, you still have to be considerate.

Here is how you should choose music/songs for a funeral.

Music Should Suit The Theme 

Every kind of funeral that you will come across will be sad, there is grief and there are a lot of tears. Taking this into consideration, many people put in their final will that uplifting music should be played at their funeral, music like this will relax their family and friends.

Music choices like this allow people to celebrate the life of the departed rather than mourn them, which is a really good thing. Although when there is no choice of music in the will, music should be played according to the situation and the theme.

Music Should Hold Special Value 

Holding a funeral service can be a very demanding task, but it doesn’t have to be. Choosing the music is interesting but it should also hold a special value. You should choose that kind of music that had a very special meaning in the life of the deceased, it could be something that comforted them or even made them happy.

The kind of song that actually resonates with their personality might seem non-traditional for some but it will honor their memory. This is something that you should do in order to connect with the deceased, as all funerals should feel like this. Honor their memories whenever you can!

The Funeral Location Matters

The location of the funeral is going to impact the song choice, and you also have to be considerate in this matter. The deceased can either choose to be cremated or buried and if the creation proceeds then you have to choose the music according to the atmosphere/location.

If the funeral is held at a church then you can go with classical music, Amazing grace is a good option for a church venue.

Recap

Music binds us together, it brings us together both in life and in death. Music holds the power to bring back the memories we cherished so dearly and it can give us the power of communication when words fail. Let music relax us and let the music bring us closer in our time of grief!

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