The Best and Worst Funeral Songs

Oftentimes, we use music to express our emotions and say things we are unable to say. Funerals are no exception. Music is a wonderful way to help pay tribute to a life lost. There are some wonderful funeral songs out there, but there are also some really bad ones. I feel that there is a time and a place for certain types of music, so I have created a list of what I consider to be the best and worst funeral songs. Keep in mind that this is just my opinion as a funeral director, and I am in no way trying to dissuade you from playing whatever song you deem appropriate and necessary. The following list is a mere suggestion, not funerary law :)

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Choosing a song for a funeral can be just as difficult as choosing the right poem to read at the service. Hopefully this list will help you. If you are looking for some poingnant funeral readings, Click Here for one of the best resources out there!

Or, if you ended up here because you were doing research on writing a eulogy for a funeral service, Click Here for a great how-to guide to writing eulogies.

"What A Wonderful World"?......... No.........What a wonderful song!! This beautifully crafted mellow tune by Hawaiian Native Israel Kamakawiwo'ole is a perfect funeral song. Since it's not harsh or too short, it provides an atmosphere conducive to relaxation and recalling old memories. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

Although pretty much any gospel song by Elvis Presley is perfect for a funeral, his rendition of "Amazing Grace" is especially beautiful. Harmonic and heart-wrenching, this is a fabulous version of the popular funeral song. Elvis' "In The Garden" is equally outstanding. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

I just heard my new favorite funeral song. It's sung by John Cale. It seems to really sing to the hardships one goes through during the time of a death. It was on that movie Shrek, if you saw it, and it is a truly beautiful song.

Josh Groban has a fabulous voice and this song makes a wonderful tribute to a lost loved one. Beautiful balads like this really make for an outstanding memorial or funeral service. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

These two Country music super-stars sound like they were meant to sing together in this emotional commemorative song. This tune isn't sad. It's full of faith and hope, and it's a perfect song for someone that loved country music. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

Bette Midler has such a rich voice and it really comes out in this timeless inspirational ballad. Yes, this is a popular funeral song, but it's only popular because it's so good! It's perfect for commemorating that hero in your life. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

This is a very modern and very popular funeral song. I chose to include it in the "best" list because James Blunt has a way of filling his songs with such gorgeous emotion. He really brings the listener into the song. It's mainly for a lost lover. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

Made popualr by the movie The Lion King, this song has been played at many funerals and memorial services. Elton John does a great job singing this inspirational and hopeful song about the continuity of life. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

This wonderfully upbeat song is inspiring and performed beautifully. Every funeral attendee will be able to appreciate this song and gleen some personal meaning from it. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

Even though this song is meaningful, it is only meaningful to the daughter(s) if the decedent is a man. Not everyone at the funeral will appreciate this song. They'll just be forced to endure the twangy country tune as they wait for the service to get over with. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

"Because You Loved Me" has been played at many funerals because a lot of people find meaning in it. Unfortunately, this song isn't about the decedent. It's about the person singing it. In order to adequately pay tribute to the deceased loved one, you should choose a song that isn't about "you" and filled with that "me, me, me, my, my, my" business. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

Faith Evans does a nice job in this radio hit, but Puff Daddy's part is explicit and not suitable for a funeral service. The chorus is nice and catchy, but this song has references to drug use. There are, however, other versions of this song that are funeral worthy. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

I have played this song for a few funeral services, and it is incredibly long. People of the generation certainly like the poetic lyrics and electirc guitar, but this song is about drug abuse. There's no mistaking that. Buying drugs. That's it. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

As much as I adore Tom Petty's music, I have to say that this is a bad funeral song. Lots of people try to make it work, but this song is clearly about marijuanna. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

I like the way this song sounds, and every time I hear it I can't help but think of that hilarious SNL skit with Will Ferrell and Christopher Walken :) Anyway, this song is generally about not thinking about the consequences of your actions and not being afraid to die. It's more about dying gracefully and less about commemorating a life lost. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

Overdone. That's what this song is. Ever since the movie Titanic, everyone wants to play this song at funerals. Not only is it hackneyed, this song is incredibly slow and terribly nasally. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

As much as I love Garth Brooks, this song was not written with the intent to be played at funerals. Although it is a song about treasuring a special memory, it is also about a relationship gone wrong. And that, my friends, makes for a not-so-commemorative song. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

This is one of the most beautiful memorial songs I have ever heard. Eric's emotions just leap from the lyrics and the guitar is phenomenal. This is under the "specialty" songs because this tune is best suited for a child's funeral. Eric Clapton wrote this song after the death of his son. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

I'm talking about the Amy-Lee-and-orchestra version here, not the Evanescence rock/pop version. You must hear this song and feel free to let her angelic voice bring tears to your eyes. This is a "specialty" tune because it is about a life lost to suicide for the most part. Click Here to read the lyrics to this song.

This is a beautiful song of remembrance by Elton John. The first version was released in commemoration of Marilyn Monroe. In 1997, it was rewritten for Princess Diana. This is a "specialty" song because the lyrics directly relate to those two people and wouldn't work for anyone else. So, the CD version shouldn't be played at a funeral, but live singers can change the names in the song to pay tribute to your loved one. Click Here to read the Marilyn Monroe version lyrics. Click Here to read the Princess Diana version lyrics.

But there are lots of poems and verses out there too that are just as meaningful for funeral services.CLICK HERE for an excellent resource. I hope this has helped.

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