Nothing is more difficult in life than the loss of a loved one. The memories are overflowing, but we continue honoring their memory. Preparing for funerals is another step in the process.
Enter Josh Groban; an artist with a selection of songs appropriate for the range of emotions that happen at a funeral. His style is diverse, creative, and wide-reaching and his voice is impeccable.
So, here are the best Josh Groban songs for a funeral.
“The Prayer” by Josh Groban and Celine Deon
Song year: 2001
This song is good to play anytime during a funeral. The title itself says it all. It is very appropriate and meaningful. It provides strength and peace during the most difficult time of our lives. The lyrics speak of seeking guidance and direction from God during troubled times. The duet is a beautiful melodic combination.
“To Where You Are” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2001
Remembering our loved ones that have passed away is one of the ways we cope with our loss. We hold them close in our hearts. They’re in our dreams and our thoughts constantly. Groban sings this song beautifully.
It speaks of wanting to be where they are or seeing them again one more time. It’s comforting and may have you shedding a tear or two, but shedding tears is good for the soul.
“You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2003
“You Raise Me Up” is a beautiful song with melodic repetitions and a calm melody and flow that will soothe the brokenhearted. God raises us so we can endure and overcome difficulties in our life. He lifts us so we can soar above the clouds and storms of life. The song is a great funeral song that will uplift and encourage.
“River” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2018
Death is the worst life situation we can imagine and find ourselves dealing with. Yes, death is indescribable, but with the right support system, we can get through it. This song explains the emotional toils that take place in our life that can cause us to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
A trip to the river helps us escape from these trials or a means to find the strength to get through the trials. We can feel and even become isolated during difficult times, but we can find strength in others.
“Brave” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2013
Difficult times can be overwhelming. We may often feel like we want to run and hide, but this song encourages us to be brave. The loss of a loved one can cause overwhelming grief. It can be tough to get through the daily activities of life, like getting out of bed.
If we lived with our loved one that has passed, the house, their room, and their possessions can cause sadness and grief. But even though sadness cuts deep, joy will fill the void. Just be brave, and you’ll get through it.
“99 years” by Josh Groban and Jennifer Nettles
Song year: 2018
Play this song at a funeral to encourage loved ones to remember the good times and look to the future. There’s no reason to look back and be sad or regretful over certain things—look ahead because the future is bright.
Remember, your loved one would want you to look ahead and not back to what you’ve lost. Every day forward is a day to remember your loved ones and live each day for you and them.
“Remember When It Rained” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2003
This song starts prolific with the deliberate notes on the piano played like an ocean tide. The rain and the water mentioned describe the love one has for a loved one gone. The rain and water also represent the tears shed when memories pour like rain and when they move forcefully like water.
This song is perfect for those who suffered the loss of a spouse or partner. Groban’s piano playing, along with his vocals, is outstanding. You can almost feel the notes and his heart.
“Granted” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2018
Funerals remind us that tomorrow’s never promised. However, if your loved one that has passed on gives you hope, that’s something you can hold on to, and something that gives you hope. But this song is more about survivors of loved ones that have passed.
You can be encouraged because today is the day you can look up and keep on despite your sufferings. Grieve will always be. It will come and go in waves but be encouraged.
“Broken Vow” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2002
Watching a loved one suffer from a long-term illness is one of the most challenging things to endure. Watching a loved one deteriorate mentally or physically from illnesses is extremely difficult.
From personal experience, it takes its toll on family members. It’s also difficult to accept the premature death of a loved one. This song is deep and expresses feelings of love for one who has passed on. It may feel like a broken vow, but it’s okay to grieve and grieve how and when you need to.
“Run” (Duet With Sarah McLachlan) by Josh Groban
Song year: 2018
When we lose a loved one, we may feel like running—to escape, but our beliefs and hope will have us running to endure and overcome. We won’t run away, but we’ll run harder and harder to live our life to the fullest and in remembrance of our loved ones.
“You’re Still You” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2001
Choosing the right songs for a funeral can be difficult. Some songs may take you back to when your loved one was struggling with their health, and this may seem inappropriate to some people. But grieving is individual. Everyone grieves differently—what helps someone else may not help another person with grief.
This song by Josh Groban can be uplifting during a funeral. It’ll help those who look up to their loved one who has passed on. They will remember them and look up to them because their loved one is still that person despite no longer being physically present.
The song can also encourage those who may have loved ones who are still with them but are in their last days. Despite the toll sickness and illness may be taken on their bodies—mentally and physically—they are still themselves.
“Alejate” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2001
This beautiful melody will bring solace to one going through a heartbreaking loss. It’s about realizing that a loved one who’s dying, or a loved one that has passed on, will forever be part of us. Once we have lost our loved one, strength will keep us going. Yes, it’s hard, but we have to go on because our loved ones will want us to.
“Ave Maria” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2007
This song by Josh Groban reminds you of sitting in a Catholic church and hearing the melodic voices of a children’s choir and praying to God for strength and guidance to get you through life’s difficulties.
Groban’s tenor voice is impeccable and delightful. The song will comfort and strengthen you during the funeral of a loved one. It will also take you down memory lane, so be prepared to be overwhelmed by emotions.
“February Song” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2006
While many may not believe this to be a funeral song, it is applicable. It speaks of loss and forgiveness. Forgive others, especially our loved ones, because they could slip away at any moment.
We should not take relationships, family, and friends, for granted because they could be gone at any moment. The melody and words are uplifting because it conveys reconciliation before winter (death) comes.
The song reminds us all that we can be gone in a moment when winter comes, so love and forgive. The music’s tempo changes from slow to fast.
“Oceano” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2003
This song speaks of the sudden life changes that suddenly change our perspective. At one moment, everything is calm, and life is good. But when the ocean waves pick up or we experience the troubles in life, we’re often tossed about and feel like we’re in a storm.
The tempo changes from slow to upbeat, giving you a sense of urgency or calm. It’s a reminder that life will have surprises—good and bad—but we have to ride the storms and enjoy the calm seas. The melody is dramatic.
“You Will Never Walk Alone” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2015
Groban’s remix of this classic song is magnificent. One of the best funeral songs, you’ll never walk alone, is uplifting and encouraging. Jerry Lewis used to sing it during his muscular dystrophy telethon.
It encourages those dealing with the disease, and it will encourage those dealing with loss and grief. “You’ll never walk alone” is an inspiring message that tells us we can keep going despite life’s difficulties. With hope in our hearts and strength, we can manage life without the loved ones we’re grieving over.
“Impossible Dream” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2020
This song tells us we can achieve what may be an impossibility to us. We can bear our unbearable sorrow. Nothing is too hard if we look up and look forward, believing in our hearts, we can continue despite our grief and sorrow.
The song is encouraging and gives us comfort, knowing things will get better. The song is beautiful. The melody and tempo, along with Groban’s vocals, are a beautiful rendition of this popular song.
“More of You” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2018
This song is for all who have lost their significant other—spouse or best friend. Although there is a void, it helps you look back on all the memories made together and the life lived together. But the song also provides hope and encouragement during this difficult time.
It gives the listener a “push” to keep going in memory of their lost love. The song will probably do better at a memorial service than at a funeral service. It has an uptempo beat more suitable for a memorial service than a traditional funeral service.
“Won’t Look Back” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2018
This low-key song has a melodic tempo that will have you going down memory lane, thinking about all the good things about your loved one, especially the promises you made to them. These promises will help you look forward and not back.
The song encourages us to keep going, not by ourselves, but by knowing our loved one is right there with us going through life together. Their promises, memories, and words will be with us and keep us from looking back.
“Over the Rainbow” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2015
“Over the Rainbow” is one of the classic songs of all time. Originally sung by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz, Josh Groban has done his fabulous remake of it. The song is a great funeral song because of its encouraging lyrics.
The song helps us realize that despite the grief and sorrow you experience, there is a rainbow of hope. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and you’ll make it through difficulties in life, specifically the death of a loved one.
“In Her Eyes” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2006
Perhaps not your typical funeral song, but it works great for a memorial service. This song will help us remember our loved one that has passed. It will help us realize we’re fragile and our need for others in this life.
The song will help us remember how our loved ones helped us through tough times. They will be our inspiration and push us to keep going despite what we go through.
Best Josh Groban Songs For A Funeral, Final Thoughts
One thing when making preparations for a funeral is to decide what songs to play. You want to honor your loved one, so it’s important to pick the right ones that remind them of you and honor their memory.
With his diverse range of emotional and touching songs, one of these Josh Groban songs for funerals will add the touch you’re looking for.