Why We Use Music For Funerals

Throughout many important moments and settings in life, we turn to music to help set the tone and establish context.

• Can you imagine the holidays without music?
• What would a great film be without its soundtrack?
• And what about birthdays and weddings?

For funerals, music has long held an equally important role.

Music Helps Us Feel & Express Our Emotions

Quiet reflection during musical interludes often stimulates acknowledgment of the reality of the death.

Music often helps us move from knowing something in our heads to knowing something in our hearts.

What’s more, music in funerals is often very moving to family and friends and can provide effective moments in which to think about their loss and embrace and move them toward expressing their own pain.

You should feel encouraged to be open-minded about music at the funeral ceremony (and also the viewing and gathering after the funeral).

Think about these questions when you choose your funeral music:

• What music did the person who died love?
• What music reminds you of him or her?
• What music captures your feelings best about their unique life and death?
• Who in your circle of friends and family plays an instrument or sings and could be invited to participate in the ceremony?

Music is an essential and beautiful element of every funeral.

Any form or type of music that helps meet the mourning needs of family and friends should be welcomed.

11 Uplifting Songs To Play At Funerals

Uplifting funeral songs are an increasingly popular way to make funerals more meaningful for families.

Here are 11 of the most uplifting funeral songs:

1. My Way – Frank Sinatra
2. Green Day – Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)
3. I’ll Never Find Another You – the Seekers
4. Always Look on the Bright Side – Monty Python
5. Amazing Grace – Gurrumul and Paul Kelly
6. The Show Must Go On – Queen
7. You Raise Me Up – Westlife
8. See You Again – Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth
9. You’ll Never Walk Alone – Gerry & The Pacemakers
10. Highway to Hell – ACDC
11. Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole