Often one of the biggest stressors when planning a funeral can be choosing the funeral songs. Whether for a live performance, accompaniment to a slideshow, or simply to play the song itself, the right selection sets the tone for the service. Then you have to decide exactly how the song will be presented in the program: full lyrics, just the title, or one featured track among several.
This updated 2025 list keeps the original contemporary picks but adds planning tips for today’s services — from in-person burial or cremation ceremonies to livestreamed memorials. Use this list to match tempo and length to your procession, choose an entrance song, pick a piece for a slideshow, or select an uplifting exit number. If you need help, let family and the officiant know how long each song should play and whether you want instrumental or vocal versions.
When you’re ready, click these funeral program and funeral slideshow links to pair your chosen music with a template.
Top 10 Funeral Songs — Contemporary Picks for 2025
1. To Where You Are
- Artist: Josh Groban (popularized in the early 2000s).
- Genre: Classical-pop ballad.
- Why it works: A deeply emotive song that gives guests time for catharsis and reflection after a loss.
- Suggested use: Reflective moment or slideshow (moderate tempo, allow 3–4 minutes). Planning tip: choose the vocal version for intimacy or a soft piano instrumental if you prefer shorter listening time.
2. How Long Will I Love You
- Artist: Ellie Goulding (cover released 2013).
- Genre: Romantic pop ballad.
- Why it works: A short, tender song about enduring love — one of the briefest and sweetest funeral songs on this list.
- Suggested use: Entrance or intimate reading accompaniment (approx. 2½ minutes). Fits well in an 8 Page Program where there's extra space for song lyrics.
Click here to view 8 Page Funeral Program Templates.
3. One More Day
- Artist: Diamond Rio.
- Genre: Country ballad.
- Why it works: Expresses the aching wish for more time with a loved one; the country arrangement adds warmth and familiarity.
- Suggested use: Reflection or when family members want a country-leaning selection (allow about 4 minutes). Tip: if the audience is mixed, consider an acoustic or instrumental version for broader appeal.
4. Supermarket Flowers
- Artist: Ed Sheeran (2017).
- Genre: Contemporary pop with piano.
- Why it works: Raw and specific — written about saying goodbye to a mother — which can make it extremely moving for family ceremonies.
- Suggested use: Feature song during a tribute reading or slideshow; be prepared for strong emotions in the audience. Consider short edits if time is limited.
Click here to view Canva Funeral Slideshow Templates
5. See You Again
- Artist: Carrie Underwood (2012). Note: confirm which “See You Again” you intend to use as different songs share this title.
- Genre: Country rock.
- Why it works: The uplifting, reunion-themed picks in this category work well when you want a hopeful message that separation isn’t permanent.
- Suggested use: Exit or closing reflection to send guests away with a sense of hope.
Tip for 2025:
Confirm artist, version, and licensing for public performance. For live performances or streamed services, check the performance rights with the venue or funeral home and use high quality digital files.
6. Dancing in the Sky
- Artist: Dani & Lizzy (popularized mid-2010s).
- Genre: Contemporary R&B / pop ballad.
- Why it works: A hopeful, consoling duet that imagines the departed at peace — great when you want to focus on comfort and the idea of freedom after loss.
- Suggested use: Reflection moment or slideshow for a younger person taken too early (moderate tempo, about 3–4 minutes).
Tip: Choose the vocal duet for emotional impact or an instrumental version if the audience needs time to speak or reflect.
Click here to view Sky Themed Funeral Templates.
7. Dancing with the Angels
- Artist: Monk & Neagle.
- Genre: Contemporary Christian / soft ballad.
- Why it works: Gentle strings and reassuring lyrics that acknowledge grief while offering the comfort that the departed is in a better place.
- Suggested use: Meditative moment, hymn-alternative, or slideshow accompaniment. If your audience includes churchgoers, this version tends to resonate well.
8. Memories
- Artist: Maroon 5 (released 2019).
- Genre: Pop ballad.
- Why it works: Wistful and melodic — excellent for celebrating good times, especially at less formal or younger-person memorials.
- Suggested use: Slideshow or exit music for a celebratory tone. Note: for an unexpected death, the lyrical theme may feel bittersweet rather than immediately comforting; consider an acoustic or shorter edit to fit your service timing.
9. Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World (medley)
- Artist: Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (IZ) — medley released 1990s.
- Genre: Hawaiian folk / acoustic medley.
- Why it works: Timeless, relaxed, and often called one of the most beautiful funeral songs — ideal for reflective slideshows or longer tribute segments.
- Suggested use: Slideshow or closing piece (nearly 5 minutes in many versions). Planning tip: confirm the exact version and duration so it fits your slideshow timing.
10. When I Get Where I’m Going
- Artists: Brad Paisley feat. Dolly Parton (2005).
- Genre: Country gospel-leaning ballad.
- Why it works: Sung from the departed’s point of view with an uplifting, hopeful message about leaving struggles behind — a classic for country-leaning crowds and many memorial services.
- Suggested use: Exit or closing song to leave guests with a comforting, positive tone. If the audience is mixed, consider an acoustic or radio edit to suit non-country listeners.
Quick Funeral Song Picks by Placement
Entrance — “How Long Will I Love You” (soft, short)
Reflection / Slideshow — “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” medley — (longer, contemplative)
Exit — “When I Get Where I’m Going” or an uplifting edit of “See You Again.”
For 2025 services, provide high-quality audio files, test sound levels ahead of time, and include instrumental or vocal versions to match family preferences and audience needs.
What to Include in your Funeral Program
Whether you select one of the funeral songs above or a special piece of music the family loves, the next question is how to present it in the printed program. Including the lyrics to a feature funeral song is a thoughtful touch as it gives guests words to take home and reflect on after the service. But lyrics can be long and may not be appropriate when music accompanies a slideshow. A 4-Page Program or Trifold Program often covers the order of service and a short tribute, while lyrics for a full song usually require an 8-Page or 12-Page program to avoid crowding text and images.
Practical layout examples
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4-page sample: Cover photo + brief obituary, order of service, pallbearer list, short prayer or poem, single featured song title (no lyrics).
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12-page sample: Cover, full obituary, order of service, two featured songs with lyrics (one per page), photos, tributes, practical funeral details (burial or cremation location).
Formatting tips
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Use 12–14pt readable fonts for main text and 16–18pt for headings to help older audience members.
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One full song lyric at 12pt typically takes a full page — plan program length accordingly.
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Include song duration or a note (instrumental/vocal) so the officiant and family know the expected time.
Logistics & accessibility
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Let family and the venue know if you need sheet music, playlists, or rehearsal time for live performers.
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Check performance-rights / licensing requirements for public or streamed services (venue or funeral home may handle this).
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Add QR codes that link to a curated 2025 playlist so guests can listen later, and offer large-print versions for accessibility.
Want a ready-made layout? Click the 4-Page, 8-Page, or 12-page program links above to preview templates in a range of designs. These templates make it easy to pair the right music with the right pages and save time when coordinating with family and loved ones.
Honorable Mentions - Other Songs Worth Considering
Not everyone fits neatly into a top-10 list. Here are additional songs that frequently appear on playlists for funerals and celebrations of life, grouped with a short note on tone and suggested placement so you can quickly find a fit.
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Seasons of Love (from Rent) — theatrical, communal; good for a reading or group reflection when you want everyone to feel included.
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Jealous of the Angels (Donna Taggart) — tender, explicitly about loss; best for a tribute to a mother, father, or beloved mentor during a quieter moment.
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I’ll See You Again (Westlife) — hopeful pop ballad; works well as an exit or closing song to leave guests with comfort.
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Missing You (Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan) — soulful and emotive; ideal for a memorial that leans toward R&B/soul traditions or a slideshow celebrating life stories.
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Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver) — sing-along, nostalgic; a favorite for celebratory services or for audiences who prefer country/folk tunes.
Why these didn’t make the main list: Some are more theatrical or genre-specific, some are best in group-sing situations, and others are highly personal (which is why they often appear on regional or family “best funeral” playlists). If you’re creating a larger list of songs for a service, consider mixing these honorable mentions with the top picks above so the playlist reflects your loved one's story and favorite music.
Related suggestions: If you liked the inclusion of modern picks like “Supermarket Flowers,” consider adding classic uplifting tracks such as “What a Wonderful World” or instrumental versions of “Wind Beneath My Wings” for variety. And remember, coordinate floral or program details (flowers, templates) alongside your music choices so the entire service feels cohesive.
FAQs - Funeral Songs & Choosing Music
What is the most beautiful funeral song?
Beauty is subjective, but widely cited selections include Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s medley “Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World” and Josh Groban’s “To Where You Are.” For 2025 services, consider offering two short clips (instrumental + vocal) in the program or via QR codes so guests can choose which version resonates. Quick picks: IZ medley (calm, reflective), Josh Groban (powerful vocal).
What is the most played song at a funeral?
There isn’t a single global winner — regional and cultural trends vary — but perennial favorites include hymnals like “Amazing Grace,” classic tracks such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and modern staples like Ed Sheeran’s “Supermarket Flowers.” Check with your funeral home or local service providers to learn which songs most commonly appear at funerals in your area.
What is a good entrance song for a funeral?
Entrance songs should match the procession’s tempo so pallbearers and the family can walk comfortably. Good options include low-tempo or instrumental versions of “You Raise Me Up,” “How Long Will I Love You” (Ellie Goulding), or an acoustic “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Tip: Pick a version with a steady beat and confirm the song’s time (duration) so the officiant knows when to begin the service.
What is a good exit song for a funeral?
Exit songs are typically uplifting or hopeful to send guests away with comfort. Consider “When I Get Where I’m Going,” a hopeful edit of “See You Again” (confirm artist/version), or an acoustic “Memories” for a celebratory close. Practical tip: Use a fade-out edit to match the procession timing and avoid abrupt endings that distract the audience.
What is a happy song for a funeral?
“Happy” in this context means celebratory and life-affirming. Sing-along favorites like “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” upbeat instrumental arrangements of classics, or personal favorites of the deceased work well. Always check with the family to ensure the tone matches their wishes and the overall service intent (burial, cremation, or celebration of life).
What is the best song for a celebration of life?
The best funeral songs for a celebration of life reflect the person’s tastes and story. Popular choices include “Memories” (Maroon 5), the IZ medley, or a custom playlist of the decedent’s favorite tracks. For 2025, use a mixed-media approach — 1–2 short spoken memories, 2–3 featured songs, and a QR link to a longer playlist so loved ones can listen later.
