The Best Funeral Songs

What are the best songs for different funerals or memorial services?

Planning a funeral or memorial service can be difficult under the best of circumstances. Choosing the music will be just one of the many choices you need to make. While it might seem like an insignificant matter compared to some of the other decisions that need to be made, it should not be overlooked. Music is a way of focusing attention on the reality of the loss and can help begin the process of healing. However, selecting music that expresses your feelings about this monumental loss of that special person can sometimes be difficult.

We at The Best Songs.net have compiled several lists in order to help you make this decision easier, or at least provide you with several options that you may not have considered. We have also provided you with quick links to places where you can purchase the song, CD, or sheet music. The funeral songs have been broken down into several categories, depending on the type of funeral and the mood expressed by the music. If none of these categories seems to fit, a complete least of possible funeral songs is also available for you to browse at your leisure.

Selecting the right song can be tricky because you need to try to balance your feelings with the feelings of others, while find a song that reflects the person who has passed away. We have provided you with a few guidelines to consider when selecting the right music for the funeral or memorial service that you are planning. However, remember that there are no rules or restrictions about the type of music that is best for a funeral or memorial service. While once hymns and other traditional funeral music were usually played, today music is often more of a reflection of the tastes of the person who has died or the family of that person.

Choose music that provides comfort and stimulates pleasant memories of the departed person. The song could reflect the person's personality or be one that was a favorite of his or hers.
Consult with family members and friends of the deceased to see if they have any special music requests.
Don't try to fill in every moment with music. A few moments of silence are also necessary to allow people to reflect on the occasion.
Remember that different people handle grief in different ways. When selecting a piece that is less traditional, you may want to explain your choice in the program or during the service.
Instrumental versions of secular music or hymns can be a nice way to incorporate special songs either before or during the service.
Most funeral homes have special licenses that allow them to play copyrighted music published by ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC (the largest music catalogs in the United States and Europe). So, whether you decide to play the music or hire someone to sing or play it for you, you do not have to worry about copyright infringement.
If you are having trouble because there are too many songs that you want to include, consider playing the instrumental versions of the songs at other moments. Besides being included with the service, music can be played during the visitation, when people are arriving or leaving the church or funeral home, and during special moments such as when doves or balloons are released.
If all else fails, allow the funeral director, minister, or organist to choose the music. They have the experience and knowledge to make appropriate selections.