20 Beautiful Funeral Songs to Honor a Loved One

Secular, Scottish, Religious & Beatles Songs That Bring Comfort

The right funeral song can capture a loved one’s spirit and help mourners find peace. Whether you prefer secular tunes, spiritual hymns, Celtic tradition, or timeless classics by The Beatles, here are carefully chosen songs that speak to love, loss, and legacy.

Secular Funeral Songs with Heartfelt Meaning

If you're planning a non-religious funeral or celebration of life, secular music can offer emotional resonance without spiritual themes.

Top Secular Funeral Songs

• “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
• “Tears in Heaven” – Eric Clapton
• “Fix You” – Coldplay
• “My Way” – Frank Sinatra
• “I Will Remember You” – Sarah McLachlan

The Beatles: Timeless Funeral Songs

The Beatles' music reflects on love, memory, and the passage of time, making several of their songs perfect for funerals.

Meaningful Beatles Songs for Farewells

• “Let It Be” – A message of peace in hard times
• “In My Life” – A reflection on cherished memories
• “The Long and Winding Road” – A metaphor for a life’s journey
• “Yesterday” – A soft and sorrowful remembrance

Traditional Scottish Funeral Songs

Scottish music carries centuries of tradition, often performed with bagpipes or sung in farewell gatherings.

Beloved Scottish Farewell Songs

• “The Parting Glass” – A traditional song of goodbye
• “Flowers of the Forest” – A haunting tribute to the fallen
• “Loch Lomond” – A love song with themes of longing and return
• “Caledonia” – A modern ballad about home and heart

Popular Religious Funeral Songs

For faith-based, traditional services, these hymns and songs offer comfort, hope, and the promise of peace beyond.

Favorite Funeral Hymns

• “Amazing Grace”
• “How Great Thou Art”
• “It Is Well with My Soul”
• “I Can Only Imagine” – MercyMe
• “Nearer, My God, to Thee”

Additional Resources 

Whether rooted in faith, culture, or personal taste, the right funeral music helps honor a loved one in a meaningful way. Let the music tell your story, offer comfort, and celebrate a life well-lived.

The best way to have the musical goodbye you want is to plan ahead. Learn how planning your own funeral can help ease the burden on your family and give you the sendoff you want. We can also help you decide which type of service is best for you, whether traditional or trendy. If you or someone you know has suffered a loss, we offer a wide range of memorial and sympathy gifts, from flowers to trees and keepsakes, in our Memorial Store.

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