Traditional Songs for a Funeral Service
With so many choices available, turning to traditional songs for funerals can make things less stressful. These are songs that are tried and true and part of our culture. These songs might be those described as being part of the great American songbook or they may be referred to simply as “classics”. They are familiar to most of us and almost always evoke some type of memory. Traditional songs for funerals are not just popular for memorializing a loved one, they are timeless classics that have been recorded dozens of times. As such, you have many choices of versions to select. Amazing Grace, for example, has been covered dozens of times–from instrumental to chorale. The version you select is entirely up to you.
>>Creating a Celebration of Life
Be sure to look through all the lists we have provided when you are designing your service. You might be surprised by how many songs you had forgotten. And remember, there are no rules for selecting funeral music. As long as you choose music that is respectful and honors the person you are memorializing you can design the perfect soundtrack.
13 Popular Traditional Songs for Funerals
| More Traditional Songs for Funerals | |
|---|---|
| A Blossom Fell Nat King Cole | Someone to Watch Over Me Barbra Streisand |
| All things Bright and Beautiful Alexander | Somewhere Over the Rainbow Judy Garland |
| America the Beautiful U.S. Army Field Band & Soldier’s Chorus | Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World Isreal Kamamawiwo’ole |
| Angel Sarah McLachlan | Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year Ella Fitzgerald |
| Autumn Leaves Roger Williams | The Last Words You Said Sarah Brightman |
| Beyond the Sea Bobby Darin | They Can’t Take That Away from Me Ella Fitzgerald |
| Beyond The Sunset (Should You Go First) George Younce | Those Were the Days Mary Hopkins |
| I’ll Be Seeing You Glenn Miller | Till There Was You Barbara Cook |
| I’ll Remember April Frank Sinatra | Time to Say Goodbye Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman |
| It Was A Very Good Year Frank Sinatra | Times of Your Life Paul Anka |
| Nature Boy Nat King Cole | Turn Around Paul Anka |
| On Eagle Wings Michael Crawford | When the Saints Go Marching In Louis Armstrong |
| September Song Jimmy Durante |
As with any other music you select, you must follow copyright law when playing traditional songs for funerals and the rules for music that is piped in may be different than for that used in a slide show or video. Most funeral homes have arrangements with the top music licensing agencies and can legally provide you with music from the above lists, but be sure to talk with your funeral director to ensure that you can legally use the songs before making your final choices.
