Choosing music for a funeral can be an emotionally exhausting and complex experience. Do you want somber music? Happy music? A little of both? Frank Sinatra is a great choice for funeral songs since he has a huge body of work, including songs that celebrate life and other more melancholy options. Here are some great Frank Sinatra funerals songs, and ones that can be used for celebrations of life.
After You’ve Gone By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1984
Like many of Frank Sinatra’s songs, “After You’ve Gone” is a love song with lyrics that also suit a funeral. While the overall lyrics touch on someone regretting leaving their loved ones, the title lyrics work well for a solemn funeral. Unlike other songs on this list, this song is not ideal for a celebratory type of party.
All of Me By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1946
“All of Me” is one of the most popular Frank Sinatra songs that are perfect for the funeral of anyone who loved the blue-eyed crooner. It is another love song with lyrics that can apply to love, romantic and platonic, alike. The tune is upbeat, making it a beautiful choice for a celebration of life.
All the Things You Are By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1945
This gentle song is full of poetic lyrics that describe love as an adventure. It discusses wanting to hold someone in the future, making it hopeful. The loving and peaceful sound of this song makes it a poignant addition to a Frank Sinatra funeral song.
All This and Heaven Too By Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey
Song Year: 1940
With a lot of heaven-centered imagery, this Frank Sinatra song is a loving addition to a funeral or celebration of life. The lyrics describe love as an all-encompassing feeling that makes life better. As a result, this song is a lovely way to express love for a lost loved one.
Always By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1946
The lush and slow tune of this song compliments the simple lyrics that promise forever love and everything that comes with that. This beautiful combination makes this song an ideal choice for a funeral or celebration of life when you want to promise a lost loved one that you will love each other.
Anything Goes By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1956
While this song is a playful look at evolving cultural practices, it is a great choice for a fun and cheeky funeral song. The tune and lyrics are more celebratory than other songs on this list, meaning that this song is ideal for the Sinatra enthusiast or someone who wants joyful energy at their funeral.
As Time Goes By By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1961
“As Time Goes By” is often thought of as one of the best songs for capturing nostalgia. It captures the passage of time with all the joy and pain that life brings. So, it is not shocking that this plodding tune makes a great Frank Sinatra funeral song.
Autumn Leaves By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1957
“Autumn Leaves” is a song with poetic lyrics and a tune that evokes longing and the passage of time. The lyrics of the song describe a lost love and the emotions that go along with that. This song is a great option for a mournful funeral where you want to evoke reverence.
Ave Maria By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1945
Originally composed by Franz Schubert as a different song in 1825, Ave Maria is not an original song from Frank Sinatra. However, it is a common choice for funerals and his rendition is beautiful. It is ideal for a funeral where you want to capture some religious reverence with the voice of an accessible singer, such as Sinatra. Another great Frank Sinatra songs for funerals.
Be Careful, It’s My HeartBy Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1942
This upbeat song tells the listener to be careful with the singer’s heart. It is an unorthodox option for a funeral since it does not directly address death or enduring love. However, the playful and loving energy of the song is a suitable option for a celebration of life or a funeral if you want a lighter mood.
Before the Music Ends By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1979
“Before the Music Ends” is a rumination from Sinatra on age and life. He describes what he wants to do before he dies. It has a storytelling style to it, which makes it more of a centerpiece at a funeral rather than something to play in the background. This one is for hardcore Sinatra fans.
Blue Skies By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1941
“Blue Skies” is an enduringly optimistic song that may seem unlike a funeral song at first listen. However, it is a great song for a celebration of life when you want to be optimistic about a happy life lived well. The lyrics talk about how love makes everything better.
Body and Soul By Frank Sinatra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq4IyJ48np4
Song Year: 1947
With a languid and mournful tune and lyrics that describe longing for a lost love, this song fulfills all the requirements you may want for a melancholy funeral. Despite the sad vibe of the song, there is a glimmer of hope offered at some points in the song.
Born Free By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1967
While the lyrics of this song sound focused on birth, it works well as a musical rumination of life and death. The main theme throughout this song is freedom, making it a good choice for an optimistic funeral or celebration of life. The tune is light, playful, and ultimately, hopeful.
Cheek to Cheek By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1958
“Cheek to Cheek” is one of the most romantic songs around. The lyrics start by describing dancing together as being in heaven. It is doubtlessly a joyful song that takes on a different edge at a funeral. As Sinatra likes to do, the lyrics put love above the most fantastic feats in the world. As a result, those who attend a funeral are reminded of happy memories with the deceased when they were alive.
Come Fly with Me By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1957
This song is another for which Sinatra is well known. The lyrics beckon the listener to come along on a fantastical journey with the crooner. While it is undoubtedly a love song, the lyrics paint a joyful picture of life, while the upbeat tune will be a good addition to any celebration of life.
Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1953
While the lyrics of this song describe the ending of a relationship, they can also be read from the perspective of someone who dies and does not want their loved ones worrying. Despite the melancholy reading of the lyrics, the upbeat and lush tune brightens the mood of this song to create a balanced sound that works for a range of funeral moods.
Dream By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1945
“Dream” conveys lyrics that they should dream about good times whenever they are feeling sad. As a result, this song is a beautiful and gentle addition to a funeral as a reminder to mourners. The poetic and optimistic lyrics pair with a gentle and languid tune.
Dry Your Eyes By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1976
Originally written about the aftermath of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Dry Your Eyes” tells the listener to finish mourning and continue with their life in a way the deceased would want. It makes a poignant addition to a funeral with its reverent tune and meaningful lyrics.
Fairy Tale By Frank Sinatra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_Ac7H1uSJI
Song Year: 1955
A fanciful option for a funeral, this romantic song describes that life is like a fairytale when you are in love. As a result, “Fairy Tale” is a beautiful choice for a funeral where you want joy and if the deceased loves fairy tales.
Fly Me to the Moon By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1964
“Fly Me to the Moon” is another famous song by Frank Sinatra. It is upbeat in terms of tempo and lyrics, making it an ideal choice for a celebration of life. The lyrics ask the
Here’s That Rainy Day By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1959
“Here’s That Rainy Day” is a meditation on reaching a bad day after previously being in love. It has a playful, yet ultimately mournful energy to both the lyrics and the tune. Since the song addresses a range of emotions, this song is a beautiful choice for a funeral.
I Could Have Danced All Night By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1958
You may have also heard this song in the film, “My Fair Lady.” It describes how joyful dancing can be when you are dancing with someone you enjoy. The lyrics and tune of the song exude joy and nostalgia. As a result, this song is a beautiful choice for a celebration of life or a more cheerful funeral.
I’m Gonna Live Till I Die By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1954
While this song mentions dying, it largely discusses living a full life. The lyrics include plenty of poetic imagery and the music is upbeat and strident. As a result, this song is a beautiful choice for a celebration of life as a reminder of how much the deceased fit into their life.
I’m Walking Behind You By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1953
Even though this song seems to describe a lost love, it works well for a range of other types of loss, including death. The lyrics describe someone being with you even after they are gone. The gentle romantic tune and the sentimental lyrics make this song a beautiful choice for a funeral if you want something that will evoke hope.
I’ve Got the World on a String By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1953
This upbeat song is a fanciful description of what it feels like to be in love. Though funerals are not the first thing you think of when you hear this song, it can work well if you want a joyful way to celebrate life. It discusses how life is beautiful if you have love.
It Was a Very Good YearBy Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1965
With its unique tune and engaging structure, this song makes a beautiful Frank Sinatra funeral song. Each stanza explores a different year of his life and the women he met that year. The last stanza discusses being the autumn of his life and still enjoying that year of his life. Since it discusses the passage of time and valuing different stages of life, it works well as a contemplative addition to a funeral.
Just as Though You Were Here By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1942
The lyrics of this song describe an extensive promise to remember a loved one even when they are gone. Those loving lyrics match well with a wistful and gentle melody. As a result, this song is a sweet addition to a funeral without adding too sad of a tone.
Moon River By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1964
Originally sung by Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffanies”, “Moon River” is known as one of the most romantic songs in popular culture. It describes wanting to find adventure and relish unpredictable occurrences. While it does not directly address death, it makes a good addition to a funeral thanks to its tone and the message it sends about embracing life.
My Way By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1969
The lyrics of this song explicitly describe nearing the end of life and being proud of living life the way the singer wanted. So, while death permeates every line of this song, life is the ultimate victor. The song includes several emotions that one may feel throughout life. As a result, it is a great Frank Sinatra song to add to a funeral to drive home the deceased’s achievements.
That’s Life By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1946
Perhaps an overly literal choice for a funeral, “That’s Life” describes persistence and resilience. The optimistic lyrics complement a strident tune. Since the lyrics are somewhat literal when referring to death, this song is best for the funeral of someone with a goofy sense of humor.
The Best is Yet to Come By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1964
While it may seem odd to say “The Best is Yet to Come” at a funeral, this song is a popular choice for funerals because it can uplift mourners. It can be an ironic option for those who want a cheeky celebration of life or who want to assure those they leave behind that their lives will go on. Along with the optimistic lyrics, comes a robust and vivacious tune with plenty of horns.
The Good Life By Frank Sinatra
Song Year: 1964
Even though the title of this song seems rather straightforward when it comes to a funeral, the lyrics add some complexity. They lay out that a good life is full of adventure and the unknown instead of a life that merely claims to be good. This is another romantic song that easily transfers to a funeral or celebration of life.
Best Frank Sinatra Funeral Songs, Final Thoughts
With an extensive discography, Frank Sinatra is an ideal choice if you want to include a timeless artist in music for a funeral. His songs describe every subject you can imagine, including love, loss, and hope. As a result, you can find a Sinatra song for any mood for the funeral of a Frank Sinatra lover.