The Power of Music should never be underestimated. Think about the many times you hear an old song on the radio how it transports you back into time, the same emotions, whether happy or sad are felt again.
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent”
Victor Hugo
The following list I have compiled, might be useful for you when searching for the perfect song for your loved one’s ceremony. Any sort of music can be played at a memorial or funeral.
Some examples of past funerals –, someone might play their guitar, song will be sung a Capella, a grandchild will play an instrument, or a service might start off with Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” and end with Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”. Anything Goes .
Popular Choices
It’s been my absolute honour and privilege to have been involved in helping families create a heartfelt ceremony celebrating their loved one’s lives. Most families I work with, have a very definite idea of the music that should be played during the ceremony. Below you will find some of the popular options.
Vera Lynn – “We’ll meet again”
Frank Sinatra – “My Way”
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – “Somewhere over the Rainbow”
Judy Garland – “Somewhere over the Rainbow”
Eva Cassidy – “Songbird”
Andre Rieu – “Nightingale Serenade” A popular option for Reflection, the beautiful birdsong throughout the piece is very Blue Mountains!!!
Beethoven – “Moonlight Sonata”
Claude Debussy – “Clair de Lune”
Pavorotti – “Nessun Dorma”
Louis Armstrong – “What a Wonderful World”
Edith Piaf – “No Regrets”
Andrea Bocelli/Sarah Brightman – “Time to say Goodbye”
Scottish Bagpipes – “Amazing Grace”
Bach – “Air on the G String”
Phil Collins – “You’ll be in my Heart”
John Lennon – “Imagine”
Monty Python – “Always look on the Bright side of life”
Other Music Choices
There are many versions of “Amazing Grace” here are some possible artists…
Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Eva Cassidy, Leann Rimes, and of course any Scottish bagpipe version of this classic.
1930s
“Goodnight Sweetheart” Guy Lombardo (also Rudy Vallee 1960)
“Somewhere over the Rainbow” Judy Garland (Also Israel Kamakawiwo’ole 1990)
“It’s easy to Remember” Bing Crosby
“They can’t take that away from me” Peggy Lee
1940s
“In the Mood” Glenn Miller
“Moonlight Serenade” Glenn Miller
“We’ll meet Again” Vera Lynn
“Till the end of time” Perry Como
“I’ll be seeing you” Bing Crosby
“Sentimental Journey” Doris Day
1950s
“Unforgettable” Nat King Cole (Natalie Cole 1990)
“All I have to do is Dream” Everley Brothers
“Because of You” Tony Bennett
“My Way” Frank Sinatra (Elvis Presley 1970)
“What a Wonderful World” Louis Armstrong (Eva Cassidy 1990, Tony Bennett & K.D. Lang 2000)
“Love me Tender” Elvis Presley
“Too Young” Nat King Cole
1960s
“Bird on a Wire” Leonard Cohen
“Here comes the Sun” Beatles (Nina Simone 1970)
“Dream a little Dream of Me” Mamas and Papas
“Forever Young” Bob Dylan
“No Regrets” Edith Piaf
“In my Life” Beatles
“Let it Be” Beatles
“Stand by Me” Ben E King
“Unchained Melody” Righteous Brothers
“You’ll never walk alone” Gerry and the Pacemakers
“People get Ready” Curtis Mayfield ( Eva Cassidy 1990)
1970s
“Tapestry” Carole King
“You’ve got a friend” James Taylor
“Bridge over Trouble Water” Simon and Garfunkle (Aretha Franklin 1970)
“Imagine” John Lennon
“Time in a Bottle” Jim Croce
“The Way we were” Barbra Streisand
“New York, New York” Frank Sinatra
“Thank you for the Music” ABBA
“Goodbye My Friend” Linda Ronstadt
“The Rose” Bette Midler
“Fire and Rain” James Taylor
“Evergreen” Barbra Streisand
“Candle in the Wind” Elton John (1990 version)
1980s
“Baby Mine” Bette Midler
“Wind Beneath my wings” Bette Midler
“Blue Eyes” Elton John
“Never Tear us Apart” INXS
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” Bobby McFerrin
“That’s what friends are for” Dionne Warwick
“Time after Time” Cyndi Lauper
“True Colors” Cyndi Lauper (Eva Cassidy 1990)
“Memories” Barbra Streisand
“The Horses” Rickie Lee Jones (Daryl Braithwaite 1990)
“The Power of Love” Jennifer Rush
“With or Without You” U2
“New Years Day” U2
1990s
“The Prayer” Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion (Anthony Callela)
“I Believe I can Fly” R. Kelly
“My Heart will go on” Celine Dion
“Everything I do, I do for you” Bryan Ferry
“Angels” Robbie Williams
“Bye Bye” Mariah Carey
“Tears in Heaven” Eric Clapton
“Never Forget You” Mariah Carey
“Gone too Soon” Michael Jackson
“One Sweet Day” Mariah Carey & Boyz to Men
“Together Again” Janet Jackson
“Fields of Gold” Sting (Eva Cassiday 1990)
“I will always love you” Whitney Houston
“I’ll be missing you” Puff Daddy, Faith Evans
“Fly” Celine Dion
“The Day you went Away” Wendy Mathews
“Hard to say Goodbye” Boyz to Men
“If Tomorrow never comes” Ronan Keating
“If I had Only Known” Reba McIntyre
“Circle of Life” Elton John
2000s
“Bittersweet Symphony” The Verve
“My Immortal” Evanescence
“Slipped Away” Avril Lavigne
“Lego House” Ed Sheeran
“BlackBird” Sarah McLachlan
“In the Arms of an Angel” Sarah McLachlan
“Dance with my Father” Luther Vandross
“I was born to be” Susan Boyle
“Wiyathul” Geoffrey GurrumulYunupingu
“I was Here” Beyonce
“Who Knew” Pink
“Million Tears” Kasey Chambers
“I will remember you” Sarah McLachlan
Classical Music
“Cantata, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” Bach
“Canon in D Major” Pachebel
“Adagio for Strings and Organ in G Minor” Albinoni
“Air on G String” Bach
“Ave Verum” Mozart
“Adagio, III from the String Quartet No 10 in C major K 331” Mozart
“Clair de Lune” Debussy
“Flower Waltz” Tchaikovsky
“Moonlight Sonata” Beethoven
“Ave Maria” Schubert
