Making funeral arrangements for someone you care about can be difficult. When choosing the right music for the funeral, it can be hard to narrow down the songs that fit the remembrance of your loved ones perfectly.
We’ve chosen some of the best reflection songs for funerals to help make your choice of music a little easier. I hope you find some that fit your needs.
1. Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
Song Year: 1988
When you think of an ultimate song to pay tribute to a loved one who you admired and looked up to, Bette Midler got it right with “Wind Beneath My Wings.” This song focuses on the admiration one has for another person and how they wish nothing but to model their life after that close person who is their hero.
2. Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbjZPFBD6JU
Song Year: 2002
“Come Away With Me” can be open to interpretation and has several meanings. For use as one of the reflections songs for funerals, it can be meant as the loved one’s memory remaining with you and being carried with you throughout your life.
In addition, they will walk with you and be by your side to guide you and protect you as a guardian angel.
3. Goodbye’s the Saddest Word by Celine Dion
Song Year: 2001
When looking for a reflection song, especially for use during a mother’s funeral, Celine Dion has created a fantastic song. This song not only talks about all the great things her mother did but talks about saying goodbye is hard.
Goodbye is the saddest word we will ever say to those we love, and Celine expresses this so beautifully and well-written in her song.
While this song was written for her mother, it can be used for a funeral for any mother figure, whether a mom, step-mom, grandmother, or even someone who played a mother role with no blood relation in your own life.
4. Angel by Sarah McLachlan
Song Year: 1998
Although the story behind “Angel” was created due to the drug overdose of a friend of Sarah McLachlan’s, the song is also open to interpretation. It can also be a metaphor for any hard time we overcome in life, even if it doesn’t turn out exactly how we hoped, or for the death of a loved one that we feel was taken too soon and has now left their struggles in the arms of an angel.
5. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan
Song Year: 1991
This song was initially written to remember the teachers and children killed in the Dunblane school massacre. Even though its original meaning represents this tragedy, it’s a well-known song for its use during the grief period of the passing of a loved one.
When a loved one passes away, we always think of what it is like in heaven. It’s a touching song to listen to while envisioning our loved one knocking on heaven’s door and waiting to get into their forever home.
6. Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve
Song Year:1997
This song is perfect for a funeral as it talks about the bittersweet moments in life, including those happy moments and the ones that are considered tragic. Throughout life, we can feel like there is no purpose or meaning as we go through the day-to-day motions, but when tragedy happens, we realize what life is all about, and we try to change to enjoy every moment we can. The same can be said as we deal with losing a loved one.
7. I’ll See You Again by Westlife
Song Year: 2009
“I’ll See You Again” is a song about missing your loved one. Even though the despair and grief, this song portrays a message of hope with the lyrics expressing that one day you will see your loved one again. Even though right now may be a hard time, you can look forward to being reunited one day.
8. How Am I Supposed To Live Without You by Michael Bolton
Song Year: 1983
A great song choice for a funeral as it talks about the shock of the news of someone leaving and then going through the cycle of grief. When we lose a loved one, we don’t know how we will go on or what the future will look like.
“How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” beautifully displays these feelings most people are internally feeling and helps to put their feelings to words. This R&B song has a beautiful sound and is calm and soothing to listen to, which works great for a funeral service.
9. Can You Feel the Love Tonight by Elton John
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjgWWjkNbhU
Song Year: 1994
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is a song that makes you feel good even in a challenging situation. The song is all about love and how love prevails even in trying situations, which is true when you’re dealing with the death of a loved one.
Even though that person may be gone and the day may be hard, your love for that person will prevail and carry you through the circumstances.
There are many different variations of the song, from piano-only versions to recorded versions with a plethora of instruments which make it easy to find the best version to honor your loved one.
10. A Million Love Songs by Take That
Song Year: 1992
A true love song and tribute to your loved one. The song talks about the love deeply felt for an individual and how that love was lost. How the love is lost is open to interpretation, but it can beautifully represent the loss of a loved one. The song continues about how the singer wishes he could get the love back and how he will continue to love through the years.
11. Angels by Robbie Wiliams
Song Year: 1997
When people pass, we often like to think of them as becoming an angel. “Angels” by Robbie Williams portrays these thoughts perfectly. It starts by going through the motions of being sad and feeling like you lost the person you love to think about them now, being your angel and being by your side every step of the way.
12. Time To Say Goodbye by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli
Song Year: 1995
Originally written and sung in Italian, this beautiful pop song offers you a soothing sound to feel through your soul. The song comes in its original Italian version, but there’s also an English version you can find.
The song talks about someone seemingly far away but finding them in the things we can go through in life that give us light – the moon and the sun. It describes the deep pain of the loss of that individual beside them, the feelings of darkness and loneliness, and how they search for peace.
13. The Best by Tina Turner
Song Year: 1991
“The Best” is an upbeat, nostalgic soul song for many people. It describes in detail how a person is the best person they’ve ever met, how you don’t think you’ll find anyone else like that person, and how they want to soak in everything that person offered. This is a great tribute to someone you are looking to honor.
14. My Way by Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1969
“My Way” is one of the top all-time funeral songs chosen. It represents the story of a person nearing the end of their life. The song reflects on the man’s life and all the things he did and wishes he would’ve done, which makes this a great reflection song of your loved one’s life. This song is great to have everyone remembering their own positive stories about their loved one.
15. I’ll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy (Feat. Faith Evans & 112)
Song Year: 1997
If you’re looking for a song to play at the funeral to express how deeply you will miss your loved one, this is a great choice. This song expresses how desperately this person will be missed and talks about the tragedy and shock of the day you received the news that the person was no longer with us.
16. Lean on Me by Bill Withers
Song Year: 1972
Unfortunately, when a loved one who was a close friend passes away, we fear the loss of the friendship. However, “Lean on Me” was written as a positive message for those grieving to remember that even though their loved one isn’t beside them anymore, they will always be inspired by their loved one and able to move forward with life.
17. Against All Odds by Phil Collins
Song Year: 1984
In this Grammy award-winning song, you’ll find the feelings of a profound emotional loss. The song describes how Phil Collins wishes things could be different and his loved one could come back because now he’s just left with a big, empty hole in his life and heart. The song is perfect for describing any type of relationship.
18. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin
Song Year: 2006
A traditional religious song often played at funerals is “Amazing Grace.” This version of “Amazing Grace” adds an extra element with the lyrics about how a person has broken out of the chains in their life and been set free.
19. Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
Song Year: 1977
Fleetwood Mac released a popular song in 1977 that expresses the fear of a relationship that is coming to an end. Throughout the song, you can feel the loneliness and fear of loss being felt and discussed in the lyrics.
This song comes full circle about a relationship and is excellent for expressing the fear that you may be experiencing after the loss of your loved one.
20. There You’ll Be by Faith Hill
Song Year: 2001
If you’re looking for a touching song for a funeral service, you’ve found it with “There You’ll Be.” The song describes in detail the loss of a close loved one. Even though the loved one is no longer with you, the song expresses how you’ll always carry your loved one with you throughout your life.
You’ll remember all the positive memories and all the things they’ve done for you, whether they gave you strength or passion in life. This is a great reminder that you will always be able to carry your loved one in your heart.
21. Broken by Lifehouse
Song Year: 2007
Lifehouse wrote this song while watching a close friend undergo a kidney transplant, but it’s perfect for expressing the loss of a loved one. The song talks about life being fragile and how painful situations arise, and it’s ok to have a broken heart.
Even with a broken heart, you can hold on and get through the dark times even when it doesn’t seem there’s light on the other side. This is a beautiful reflection song to play at a funeral.
22. You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Song Year: 2003
For a touching classical song, “You Raise Me Up” is a great find. This powerful song will remind you and others of everything your loved one was to you. When you feel grief and sadness, your loved one will be beside you, giving you the strength to carry on.
23. Beautiful Day by U2
Song Year: 2000
Sometimes when loved ones pass away, we view their passing as a celebration, especially for our loved ones suffering before their death. “Beautiful Day” is a great song if you are looking for an uplifting, positive message and a way to celebrate your loved one and the end of their pain and struggle.
Top Reflection Songs For Funerals, Final Thoughts
Planning a funeral service for a loved one is never an easy task. Music during the service is important to ensure your loved one is honored and remembered in the best way possible.
We hope that our reflection songs for funerals will be helpful for you and help you easily select some great songs during a difficult time.