Celine Dion’s songs can be perfect for funerals because they often garner a deep emotional response due to the lyrics and Dion’s wonderful voice.
So, let’s go through the most popular Celine Dion funeral songs. Although Celine has a long list of English music, some of her most heartfelt tunes are in her native language, French. Hopefully, you’ll find a song that speaks to you and can help lift your spirits during such trying times.
1. Goodbye’s (The Saddest Word) by Celine Dion
Song Year: 2002
Celine’s ballad about a daughter reminiscing about her mother’s love is sure to pull on the heartstrings of every listener. Celine sings about how much her mother’s love meant to her. All of the support her mother gave her helped Celine become the woman she is today.
The song is also about the emotions that you go through when you have to say goodbye to your mother. Celine sings about how the love her mother gave her is something she’ll always remember. It’s then that Celine realizes the saddest time in her life will be when her mother says goodbye for the final time.
2. My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion
Song Year: 1997
The famous song is best known for its use in Titanic, but the underlying message makes it one of the best Celine Dion funeral songs. The song is about a lover who continues to love their partner even after death. It proves that love is even stronger than death.
Although Celine sings about how her heart will keep moving forward, she doesn’t mean she’s moving on. Instead, she says that her lover will always hold a special place within her. And no matter where she goes from there, her lover will always be inside her heart, helping guide the way.
3. The Prayer by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli
Song Year: 1998
The writers didn’t intend for this classic song to be a duet. But after the composers heard Dion’s and Bocelli’s versions, they decided the song would be an ideal duet. The song is about finding guidance and peace through prayer. And those that aren’t with us any longer help answer those prayers.
The lyrics speak of a subject who watches us from above and helps guide us through life. Many have used the song during memorial services because of its spiritual connotations. But more than anything, those spirits want to watch over us to make sure we’re doing our best, just like our loved ones do.
4. Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
Song Year: 1996
Although many people consider this classic a heartbreak song, its themes are also appropriate for funerals or memorial services. The song talks about someone who has left, but it also addresses the good moments the two had together.
Not only did they make Celine feel loved, but their love also helped give her strength and helped her reach her full potential. So, even though they’re no longer there, she still thinks about and appreciates the things they’ve done for her.
5. A Mother’s Prayer by Celine Dion
Song Year: 2004
Celine dedicated the song to her son, who she called a “miracle baby,” but the song can also serve as somber funeral music. The song describes the hope and dreams every mother has for their child and how much mothers want to help their children.
The song also has themes of remembrance. The song mentions the way mothers want the best for their children. The song can be a somber and reflective choice for a funeral for a mother or grandmother due to its themes of guidance, gratitude, and love.
6. Fly by Celine Dion
Song Year: 1996
Celine started performing this song after the death of her niece. The song describes the journey Celine thinks people go on when they die. Those who have passed on are flying high above our heads, looking down at us.
Although these people are watching over us, Celine also wants them to keep their heads high and fly. She wants them to find some form of happiness, no matter where they find themselves. All of the memories serve as a lovely reminder of the person until they get to meet again.
The song makes for a perfect, although downbeat, funeral song. The way Celine describes the journey her loved ones are on is enough to make anyone feel sorrow, but there’s also an air of hope in her music.
7. Where Does My Heart Beat Now? by Celine Dion
Song Year: 1990
Celine’s classic song was among her first mega-hits in English. Although most people consider the song a love song, its themes of loss and emptiness are also emotions people experience during grief. Like a breakup, death can cause you to feel like you’re floating out to sea with nothing to support you.
The song is a depressing tale of searching for something already gone. The desperation in the search can feel futile, especially after their death. But we all know our loved ones would want us to be happy and continue living even when they’re gone.
8. With This Tear by Celine Dion
Song Year: 1992
“With This Tear” is a song fraught with differing emotions. The song speaks about a lover who abruptly died. Celine expresses emotions and themes which are a good fit for a funeral song. After someone dies, the hole they left in your life can make you feel like life’s not fair.
There are also feelings of desperation when you know someone will leave, and there’s nothing you can do about it. The only thing you can do is keep their memory alive. Celine tells us that although life’s unfair, we can always look back at the fond memories to keep their love alive.
9. All By Myself by Celine Dion
Song Year: 1996
Celine’s ballad about loneliness can be a poignant choice for a funeral. The song outlines the despair and emptiness when you’re not surrounded by the people you love. It can be a reminder of all the wonderful times you’ve had together.
Although the song mainly focuses on the loss of friends, you can also interpret it to mean losing someone after they died. The song also provides a reminder that we’re all entitled to happiness, so we need to make the most out of what is left in our life.
10. The Power of Love by Celine Dion
Song Year: 1993
If you need a song to show the power and depth of your love for someone who has died, Celine’s 1993 hit is an ideal choice. The song describes the courage and confidence being in love can grant to you.
The song is a love song, but its tone and lyrics can remind you of how strong your love was when you were together. Even when a partner is gone, they can still grant you confidence. Either through the memories together or their presence, these thoughts can help you get through the day.
So, this Celine Dion funeral song may not be appropriate for a memorial service for a parent or sibling. Even so, it’s an ideal representation of the love between two people and how love can continue to give you strength.
11. If You Could See Me Now by Celine Dion
Song Year: 1992
Celine’s 1992 song is the perfect song to describe the pain and sorrow that can feel all-consuming after a death. Although the song focuses on the pain after a breakup, people can easily interpret the lyrics to describe the emotional response to a loved one’s death.
Celine describes trying to put on a brave face on the outside while being forced to deal with internal issues alone. These feelings are prevalent after a loved one dies, and it can be cathartic to hear these emotional responses validated by her soothing voice.
12. The Last to Know by Celine Dion
Song Year: 1991
Celine’s cover of the hit song would help kickstart her international career. The song describes a lover who feels that her partner is leaving soon. She feels like everyone knows they’re going to leave, but she’s finding out last.
Although the song has no direct connection to the loss someone feels after a death, it does describe feelings of loss and despair when a sudden death occurs. You can never predict when these tragedies will happen, so you’re left feeling in the dark.
Feeling in the dark and out of the loop is a common experience for people in the wake of a death. The song can remind you to take advantage of each day we have with the people we love.
13. I Love You by Celine Dion
Song Year: 1996
In this song, Celine reminisces about the love she had with a former partner and how she wishes she could have that love again. When that leaves, either due to a breakup or a tragedy, it leaves you feeling empty and longing for that love again.
The song can serve as a wonderful reminder of the love two people had for each other. It has poignant themes like loss and rebuilding yourself after a loss. It makes for an ideal, if not a touch sad, song to play during a memorial or funeral.
14. Parler à Mon Père by Celine Dion
Song Year: 2012
Although Celine is an international superstar, we should remember that she first gained attention when she sang in her native language, French. She writes some of her most touching songs in French. They can be appropriate for French speakers or people who have a special spot in their hearts for Celine.
Her song from 2012 translates to “Talk to My Father.” In it, she sings about the feelings she had when her father died in 2003. She wishes that she could have more time, and she regrets how she spent her time before he died.
The song is one of Celine’s most direct in its themes of sadness, regret, and longing to connect with someone after they’re gone. Although the song is in French, it’s an ideal song for a funeral for a parent or other parental figure.
15. That’s the Way It Is by Celine Dion
Song Year: 1999
Celine’s hit song from 1999 is about believing in yourself and never giving up, even if things get hard. For people navigating the steps after a tragedy, the song can serve as a gentle reminder of the love you had for one another.
The song describes how you need to keep moving forward because as hard as things are now, they’ll only improve with time. Although you can’t change the way things are, you can always look back fondly on the memories of the other person to help you put on a brave face.
16. Je Cherche L’ombre by Celine Dion
Song Year: 2007
The song from her 2007 French language album translates to “I Search the Shadows.” In the song, Celine sings about how lost she feels after losing someone. She wants to be with them again, so she searches everywhere, including the shadows, which represent her memories of the past.
Although you’ll have to choose whether the song is appropriate for you, particularly if you don’t speak French, Celine’s voice and the flute create an air of remembrance and sadness that can serve you well during a memorial service.
17. Just Walk Away by Celine Dion
Song Year: 1993
Although the title of the song may seem a little harsh for a funeral, the themes in the song are anything but harsh. The song is about a woman gaining the strength to eventually let her partner go. Although this theme is about a breakup, you can also interpret it as saying goodbye to a partner as they die.
Part of you wants to keep them with you forever, but another part of you knows that you need to let them go. And building up the strength to do that is no small feat. Strength and resilience in the face of loss are ideal themes for a memorial or funeral service.
Best Celine Dion Funeral Songs, Final Thoughts
Celine Dion is one of the most talented singers of our generation and her heartfelt renditions of songs can create an atmosphere of remembrance and somber reflection. These qualities make her a wonderful choice for any funeral service.
But if you didn’t find these Celine Dion funeral songs fitting for a funeral, there are other choices that might fit your mood better. Maybe you prefer country music or you need a specific song to help you remember your mother. Either way, you’re sure to find a fitting song for your tastes.