Funeral Songs from Different Genres

When you’re lying lifeless on a cold soft casket (and you know it!), what would you like to hear? If all the departed had the chance of actively planning for their final arrangements, they'd have left behind a list of songs they want played during their funeral. What songs would likely make it to the list?

If I am to choose my own funeral songs, I want them to be upbeat; nothing sorrowful. Gone are the days when funerals should be nothing but tears. These are the times when the life as well as the death of someone is reason enough for celebrations. The younger generations, or some of the older ones, prefer an atmosphere of happiness rather than the opposite. The so-called funeral songs, written mainly for funerals, are rarely used. The songs we listen to everyday could very well be your funeral song (all at your own discretion).

Here are a few modern songs widely popular on a daily basis but could be of use during funerals:

Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

How to save a life by The Frey

Angel by Sarah Mclachlan

You Raise me up by Westlife

The Prayer by Celine Dion

Run by Leona Lewis

To where you are by Josh Groban

Fix you by Coldplay

With or Without you by U2

Flying without wings by Westlife

Love songs originally written for a lover lost for no reason or just plain love songs are also the usual picks:

Old songs by David Pomeranz

Goodbye my lover by James Blunt

Someone like you by Adele

I will always love you by Whitney Houston

My heart will go on by Celine Dion

Unforgettable by Nat King Cole

Unchained melody by Righteous brothers

Somewhere only we know by Keane

Because of you by Kelly Clarkson

End of the road by Boyz II Men

The following are songs of hope, courage and strength for the family left behind:

Dance with my father by Luther Vandross

Wonderful world by Louis Armstrong

Always look on the bright side of life by Monty Python

You’ll never walk alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers

Over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy

Wind beneath my wings by Bette Midler

Lean on me by Bill Withers

The Lord’s my shepherd by Various artists

The rose by Bette Midler

Morning has broken by Cat Stevens