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Written by Adam McIlroy.
11 minute read
When we are faced with the task of organising a funeral for someone we love, or when we begin to engage in end-of-life planning for ourselves, we may quickly learn the importance that selecting the right funeral songs can have. A great song choice has the power to elevate proceedings into an event that will never be forgotten by those in attendance. In this article, we will talk about modern funeral songs, sharing some best practices with you for choosing the right song for the right moment.
We’d also just like to say that, if you’ve found us here, you could be facing a difficult time. Aura is here to help you with your funeral needs, whether you’re looking for a direct cremation in the here and now, or a prepaid funeral plan for the future.
Key Takeaways
Funeral tastes have changed a lot in the last few years, meaning that the traditional format of a churchyard burial; black, formal attire; and funeral hymns is becoming less and less popular. This is partly because of a decline of religion in the UK, and because of the cost-of-living crisis impacting the kinds of funerals that we can afford.
As a result of this change in format and tastes, the use of modern funeral songs has increased, with many people selecting funeral songs from a wide variety of different eras, styles, and genres. Music has a real power to set the tone of a funeral ceremony, and to recall memories about and the characteristics of the person who has died like few other things.
Music can be tailored to different moments of the ceremony, including the entrance of mourners to the funeral space; during the ceremony itself; and as the guests are leaving.
Funeral entrance music is the most important for setting the tone of the ceremony to come.
If you’re looking to create a sombre and reflective mood upon entry to the crematorium or funeral home, you can select modern funeral songs which are slow, down-tempo, and emotive. Look for music that is gentler and which has a softer style of singing. For instance, acoustic music (perhaps with just a voice and a guitar) can really set the tone.
A good example of a song like this could be Let Her Go by Passenger. It strikes a very soft, sweet tone that is gentle on the ear. It’s especially appropriate in instances where the person who has died is female, given the title, although the song is more about letting someone go after a break-up. It also has the advantage of being immensely popular and well known, meaning that it will be relatable to most of the people in attendance by default. Another good example of this type of music could be ‘Life Goes On’ by Ed Sheeran. It has a relatable message, and a heartfelt feel.
Others might prefer to opt for a more uplifting and inspiring type of music, which will put the attendees in a more resilient and defiant frame of mind. For this, a powerful singer like Beyoncé could be a good choice, whose song ‘Halo’ ascends with a reverential triumph. Another powerful singer who can set this tone would be Adele; her song ‘To Be Loved’ is inspiring but sombre and talks about the power of love generally. An emotional rawness is achieved with the stripped-back combo of Adele’s voice and her piano.
Music can be used at all different parts of a funeral ceremony, per the different tastes and beliefs on death and funerals held by the family. For instance, there is scope to weave it throughout the eulogy, or on either side of it. A specific moment of the eulogy could be created to allow for a moment where the gathering stops to listen to a favourite song of the person who has died. This can be a very powerful way of bringing them back momentarily. The song chosen could be one that is laden with personal significance, for instance if they were musical themselves and they used to play it.
Naturally, music can also create a moment of solace within a ceremony, allowing people to rest for a moment from the emotional stress of being at a funeral, and to reflect on their grief. There are modern funeral songs that work for this purpose rather well. A brilliant example of this could be ‘River’ by Leon Bridges. It has a slow tempo and an easy, gentle rhythm. What’s more is that his voice is melodious and low, generating a sense of comfort and warmth. Another example of a modern funeral song which can generate a reflective, but uplifting tone is ‘Lay Me Down’ by Sam Smith.
The exit is a powerful moment in a funeral. It’s the moment where the attendees begin to leave, establishing an impactful sense of finality. Choosing a song that underlines this moment can really set things off in a memorable and meaningful way.
Saying goodbye for the final time to a loved one, such as the one we feel we are making when we leave the funeral space (and our loved one themselves) for the last time, is one of the most potent moments we can endure in life. In order to help give words to our wordless pain, and to help take the sting out of our feelings, we could look to play traditional and emotional modern funeral songs at this moment. A wonderful example of such a song would be ‘No Hard Feelings’. It’s a song by the Avett Brothers Band which actively talks about death and dying. It has a highly emotive, gentle tone, and wonderful melodies, and its lyrics are simple but powerful.
The exit of a funeral can also be a great moment to end things on a high, and to go out on a positive note, as it were. This can be the perfect way to help those who’ve attended a funeral to leave with a positive message and in a more positive frame of mind. An example of this type of music could be ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams. This is one of the upbeat and infectiously positive songs of recent times, and, if the person who has died was an upbeat and positive person, it can be the perfect way to help those who’ve attended their funeral to remember them.
Whether you’re looking for funeral songs for Mum, a partner, or a close friend, these widely chosen tracks can help you set the right tone.
Here is a list of ten of the most popular modern funeral songs:
Each of these songs strikes a tone of sombre reflection and emotional depth in its own way, whilst being relatable and modern. Most people will recognise this music when heard, which makes any and all of these songs a comforting and familiar choice for most funerals, depending on what the person who has died would have wanted.
As a gesture, you might want to curate a playlist of music that was dear to the person who has died, whether modern funeral songs, or 1960s funeral music, for instance. This could be played across the length of the funeral ceremony, and include songs for the beginning, middle, and end of the ceremony, as well as for reflection. This playlist could also be used at any celebration of life that is to occur after the funeral itself.
In general, it’s useful to try to balance, where necessary, the tastes and preferences of the person who has died, with the likely expectations of the guests and mourners at their funeral. If the person who has died had alternative musical tastes, naturally our instinct is to honour them by playing some music that they would have liked. However, sometimes this can lead to the use of music that may typically not be seen as ‘appropriate’ for a funeral, or appreciated by the general listener.
If you do help putting the pieces together feel unsure where to begin, our funeral arrangements checklist can guide you through each step.
Thank you for reading this article about modern funeral songs. Choosing the right music for a funeral is a potentially daunting task that involves sensitivity to taste and a good knowledge of the interests of the person who has died. In that sense, it is actually a deceptively important part of end-of-life planning.
Aura is a family-run company, and it is the top-rated national ‘Cremation Services’ provider on Trustpilot, with a score of 4.9/5 stars. Our Aura Angels are the key to our success and are appreciated by the families we’ve had in our care. They are industry-leading funeral arranging professionals, and they will be there to lend you or your family a hand with administrative, logistical, and emotive matters.
If you’d like to see whether Aura could be the right funeral provider for you, please feel free to contact our Angel Team directly; they are waiting for your call and ready to help.
Modern funeral songs are tracks released in recent decades—often within the past 10–20 years—that reflect current musical tastes and personal emotions. They’re typically chosen in place of traditional hymns or classical pieces.
Many people today prefer to celebrate life in a more personal, informal way. As religious observance declines and funeral formats evolve, people are choosing familiar and emotional modern songs that better reflect the personality and preferences of the person who has died.
Entrance music sets the tone. You might choose something soft and reflective, like Let Her Go by Passenger or Life Goes On by Ed Sheeran, or go for a more uplifting song like Halo by Beyoncé or To Be Loved by Adele.
Choose songs that give mourners space to reflect and feel. Songs like River by Leon Bridges or Lay Me Down by Sam Smith offer a gentle, emotional moment that allows people to process their thoughts and feelings.
The exit song is a powerful final note. No Hard Feelings by The Avett Brothers is an emotional, meaningful choice, while upbeat songs like Happy by Pharrell Williams can leave people feeling hopeful and uplifted.
Yes. Many modern pop songs have become common at funerals. Popular choices in the UK include Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran, Fix You by Coldplay, and Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi.
Try balancing their preferences with what guests might find comforting or familiar. You can include one or two of their favourite tracks alongside more widely recognisable music that sets the right emotional tone for everyone.
Ideally, yes. Whether they were lively, thoughtful, humorous, or spiritual, choosing music that mirrors who they were can make the funeral feel more personal and heartfelt.
Most funerals include 3–5 main tracks: one for entrance, one or two for reflection during the ceremony, and one for the exit. You can also create a longer playlist for a celebration of life or wake afterward.
Yes. Creating a playlist of the person’s favourite songs or meaningful tracks can be a touching tribute. You can even share it with guests as a keepsake or use it again at anniversaries or memorials.