Losing a loved one is one of the worst feelings in the world. Fortunately, some uplifting funeral songs can help make you feel better.
They won’t eliminate the grief, nor should they. However, you may want to add some of these songs to a playlist to help celebrate a relative or friend.
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin
Song year: 1988
The lyrics talk about how worrying can only increase your troubles. It encourages the listener to try and be happy, which can be hard after a loss.
However, the upbeat instrumentals help uplift you as you listen and sing along. This song is perfect for the end of a funeral or celebration of life.
“You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
Song year: 2003
Josh Groban’s famous song is a suitable choice for the funeral of a parent. The lyrics talk about how the person being sung to helped the singer in their life.
Groban wrote the song to help people feel happier and connect with their spirituality. Both of those things are useful when you’re grieving.
“Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds
Song year: 1985
Most known for its part in the movie “The Breakfast Club,” this song talks about change and how two people can drift apart. Of course, that can happen with loss.
The instrumentals may help boost your mood and make you feel better. This song is an especially suitable choice for fans of 1980s movies.
“Stand by Me” by Ben E King
Song year: 1961
King’s version of this popular song title talks about standing by the ones you love. Doing so could help you feel better.
Grief is never an easy thing to deal with, but having a community helps. This song is an excellent reminder of that.
“Amazing Grace” by Various Artists
Song year: 1772
This song is one of the most traditional songs out there, but it’s a common choice for funeral programs. Even if you don’t know the song, you’ll most likely recognize it.
The lyrics talk about the grace that saved the singer. Meanwhile, the instrumentals are powerful and can help lift you up.
“Feeling Good” by Michael Buble
Song year: 2005
This song starts slow and soft, but it gains energy as it goes along. Its lyrics talk about a new dawn, which is how it can feel after a loss.
Of course, it also talks about feeling good and leading a new life. This song is a nice choice if you don’t want something too upbeat.
“See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
Song year: 2015
Dedicated to the late actor Paul Walker, this song is the perfect choice for a funeral. The lyrics talk about losing a friend but knowing you’ll see them later.
Khalifa and Puth perform the song and do a great job. The rap and singing pair quite well, making it a good song for before or after a funeral.
“Ghost” by Justin Bieber
Song year: 2021
In another song about losing a friend, Bieber sings about having to hang out with the ghost of a loved one. Other lyrics talk about missing the given friend and how they remember the friend.
The instrumentals are a nice mix of melancholy and happiness. We all have to move on, so we may need to settle for the memory or ghost of a friend or relative.
“Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith
Song year: 2014
The lyrics center around missing someone and how that person told Smith not to cry. Smith asks to lay by the person they miss.
This song is a fantastic combination of soul, R&B, and pop. It can appeal to audiences of all ages, so it’s suitable for a family funeral.
“Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum
Song year: 1969
This song talks about seeing a spirit up in the sky after passing away. It’s a classic choice, so it’s a good one for the funeral of a classic rock fan.
The instrumentals are a bit ethereal, so it can feel as if you’re floating up to the sky. While it may be more suitable for before a loved one dies, it can work at a funeral as well.
“Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd
Song year: 2020
The Weeknd sings about breaking someone’s heart but wanting to take them back. It’s not specifically about death; it is about letting go of someone.
This song features empowering instrumentals under the lyrics. Not only is there a solo version, but there’s also a recording that features Ariana Grande duetting with The Weeknd.
“One Last Time” by Ariana Grande
Song year: 2014
This song talks about feeling like a failure for failing someone that you’ve lost. The instrumentals slowly build throughout the song, and it talks about wanting to be with someone for one last time.
Watching the music video may make this song more powerful. The concept is that the world is about to end, which is how it can feel when you lose someone you love.
“Space Between” by Dove Cameron and Sofia Carson
Song year: 2017
The duet between two friends involves a lot of emotions. While it’s not about death specifically, it resolves by saying friends can meet each other where they are, even if in separate worlds.
In the context of the song, the two friends choose to live in separate cities. But they know that they’ll always be important to each other.
“Miss U More Than U Know” by Sofia Carson and R3HAB
Song year: 2020
The lyrics start off by talking about waking up alone for the first time. However, the singer says they still think about the person they lost.
Underneath the singing, the instrumentals are gorgeous. It would be a reasonable choice for a program if you lost someone you loved despite their toxic nature.
“Hold On To Me” by Sofia Carson
Song year: 2020
Opening lyrics mention walking alone and building a wall around yourself. However, we can’t live like that, so we need to hold on to each other.
The melody and instrumentals sound great together and help make the song feel more uplifting. It can be an excellent song to play at a funeral where you want to remind others that you’re there for them.
“Come Back Home” by Sofia Carson
Song year: 2022
Especially suitable for funerals of military veterans, this song talks about facing a tough situation. The lyrics mention letting go of fears and tears to help get through things.
This song has some rock undertones in the melody and harmonies. That can make it feel less sad than some songs while still reflecting the stress of losing someone.
“A Year Without Rain” by Selena Gomez
Song year: 2010
The lyrics talk about how missing someone feels like a long drought. While the words are sad, the instrumentals are more upbeat than you make expect from a song like this.
Plus, the melody is relatively easy to sing if you want to do so. On the other hand, the Spanish version, “Un Año Sin Ver Llover,” offers the same melody but could sound more uplifting if you don’t speak the language.
“Lose You to Love Me” by Selena Gomez
Song year: 2019
About getting over a lost love, this song is empowering. It talks about how you have to lose someone to focus on and start to love yourself.
Gomez shows a lot of emotion in her vocals, and the instrumentals match the mood. The song can help you grieve the loss of a loved one at a funeral or on your own.
“Blown Away” by Carrie Underwood
Song year: 2012
This song’s lyrics talk about a storm but how it’s not big enough to help one forget about the past. The chorus lyrics try to get the storm to blow away everything in its path.
Underwood’s vocals help make the song feel more uplifting than the lyrics alone. Meanwhile, the instrumentals also add to the mood.
“The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
Song year: 2009
Cyrus sings about feeling lost and not knowing where she’s going. This can be a very relatable feeling, especially after losing a partner or parent.
The vocals and instrumentals sound very powerful and moving. While the song isn’t about death, it can help you remember that there will always be obstacles that you can overcome.
“Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
Song year: 2014
This song isn’t about losing someone but more so about taking control. Grief can make you feel out of control, so these lyrics may help.
Like many uplifting funeral songs, this one has a nice, empowering instrumental track. That can help you feel better and work to move on.
“Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson
Song year: 2011
Going through anything tough and coming out the other side is an accomplishment. This song makes that clear with the lyrics.
It also has an uplifting instrumental backing to remind you that you can get through this. The loss of a loved one is never easy, but you can take back your life and move forward.
“Happier” by Marshmello ft. Bastille
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7Bc3pLyij0
Song year: 2018
The lyrics of this song talk about wanting to see a loved one happy. To do that, they must let the loved one go.
Instrumentals offer additional emotions we experience when we lose someone. The music video takes loss a step further by telling the story of losing a dog, which can be just as important as any human family member.
“Oath” by Cher Lloyd ft. Becky G
Song year: 2011
This song is a suitable choice for the funeral of a best friend. Its lyrics talk about always being there for each other.
The message also works to help you and others grieving remember to lean on each other. You can find support and a home, and the upbeat instrumentals can make the funeral feel less sad.
“Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles
Song year: 1969
The lyrics are quite repetitive, but they remind us that the darkness will always end. We can look forward to the sun coming out and feeling better.
This song also features powerful instrumentals to help support that message. Plus, who doesn’t love a good song by The Beatles?
“A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles
Song year: 1964
Another song with some repetitive lyrics talks about working hard. You come home to the ones you love to help you feel better.
Meanwhile, the instrumentals offer a bit of the classic rock sound. That can keep the funeral program from becoming too sad.
“Gold Forever” by The Wanted
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvGHtcjQZec
Song year: 2012
The lyrics talk about wanting to cry but knowing that everything will work out. It also talks about wanting to remember some of the best days.
Along with the lyrics, the instrumentals are upbeat and can help you feel better. The video makes the message even more clear with visual references to someone above.
“Only Human” by the Jonas Brothers
Song year: 2019
Another song about wanting one night to keep going; it talks about not wanting to leave or lose someone. This song is more upbeat than a lot of other songs.
However, the title reminds us that we’re only humans. It’s okay to feel different things and to admit those feelings.
“Invisible” by Big Time Rush
Song year: 2011
The lyrics talk about supporting someone you love through loss. It reminds us that we’re stars and that we don’t have to remain in the shadows.
This song features a nice, repetitive instrumental track that slowly builds throughout each verse and chorus. It can make you feel better and more powerful to help you deal with grief.
“Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys
Song year: 2012
If you recently lost a mother or another powerful woman in your life, you may want to play Girl on Fire. The lyrics talk about a girl doing amazing things.
Keys has an amazing voice, and the instrumentals help showcase that power. This song is an excellent reminder not to let anything hold us back.
“Fly Away” by The Cheetah Girls
Song year: 2008
The Cheetah Girls sing about change happening and letting go of the past. They don’t want the past to “fly away,” but they have to make a choice to move forward.
Each of the three singers adds something to the song. Meanwhile, the instrumentals help move the song along.
“It’s Over” by The Cheetah Girls
Song year: 2006
Another powerful song from The Cheetah Girls, this one is also about losing sight of one’s dreams. While it’s not about death, it is about the death of a singing group.
All four members of the group add their own emotions during their solos. As a group, they all come together to emphasize the sadness of losing something.
“More Than a Band” by Lemonade Mouth
Song year: 2011
This song occurs in the Lemonade Mouth movie as one character confesses her father killed her mother. The other members of the band comfort their friend and remind her they’re not just bandmates.
Everyone sings a solo and as part of a group, and the instrumentals slowly build up. This song is an excellent choice for the funeral of a fellow musician.
“Never Gonna Not Dance Again” by Pink
Song year: 2022
Pink sings about how she refuses to stop dancing. It’s a relatively upbeat song for a funeral, but its message reminds us not to lose sight of ourselves or what we love.
People and life will try to knock us down, but we have to get back up. This song may not be suitable for all funerals, but it’s worth adding to a potential playlist.
“I’m Good (Blue)” by David Guetta and Bebe Rexha
Song year: 2022
A more positive remix of the classic song Blue, this song reminds us to live our lives and to enjoy them while we can. It’s good to go with the flow.
The melody and instrumentals are the same as in the earlier version. However, Rexha and Guetta add their own spin to make the song danceable but also emotional.
“De Una Vez” by Selena Gomez
Song year: 2021
If you want a Spanish song for a funeral program, consider De Una Vez. It talks about being stronger when alone after a loss.
This can be a good song if you lost someone you loved but who maybe didn’t love you as much or didn’t treat you well. The instrumentals are emotional and can help non-Spanish speakers understand the meaning of the song.
“Antes de las Seis” by Shakira
Song year: 2010
This song’s lyrics talk about being hurt by someone you love. They ask what you’ll do after losing that person and how you’ll go on.
The melody and instrumentals start slowly and build into a rock chorus. Shakira’s vocals help emphasize the emotions of losing someone, especially when you can predict the loss ahead of time.
Uplifting Funeral Songs, Final Thoughts
“Uplifting funeral songs” may sound like an oxymoron. However, you can use some of these songs to liven up a funeral or celebration of life.
Consider the messages of each song and its artists. Then, you can make sure the event makes you and the other attendees feel better and that it also celebrates the person you recently lost.