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Memorial music guide: 200+ songs for services and celebrations
Music can say what words can't. Browse songs by genre, mood and moment, see what families choose most often, and learn when music licensing matters, including for livestreams and slideshows.
Reviewed by the Linkora editorial teamUpdated October 20268 cited sources9 min read
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The moments
How music shapes a service
Most services use music at a few predictable moments. You don't need all of them. Choose the ones that fit the day.
Prelude
Guests arrive
Instrumental or soft music while people find their seats.Processional (optional)
The family enters
A gentle hymn or instrumental piece.Hymn or shared song
Everyone joins in
Common in religious services.Reflection
Slideshow, candle lighting or silence
Instrumental or gentle vocals that support the moment without competing.Tribute
Their song
A favorite, a song shared with a partner, or one that sums them up. Often the most emotional moment.Recessional
The send-off
Often hopeful or uplifting as guests leave.Reception
Background playlist
Music they loved, at conversation volume.
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UK data, 2025
What families choose most often
We couldn't find a US survey of funeral song requests with a published method. The best-documented chart comes from the UK: Co-op Funeralcare's 2025 chart, based on more than 90,000 funerals [6]. Treat it as a guide to what resonates, not as American data.
90,000+
UK funerals behind Co-op Funeralcare's 2025 chart [6]
#1
“Time to Say Goodbye” was the most-requested song (UK, 2025) [6]
#1 hymn
“Abide With Me” topped the hymn list (UK, 2025) [6]
| Rank | Song | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Time to Say Goodbye | Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli |
| 2 | My Way | Frank Sinatra |
| 3 | Somewhere Over the Rainbow | Eva Cassidy |
| 4 | You'll Never Walk Alone | Gerry and the Pacemakers |
| 5 | The Best | Tina Turner |
| 6 | Supermarket Flowers | Ed Sheeran |
| 7 | Wind Beneath My Wings | Bette Midler |
| 8 | Abide With Me | Hymn |
| 9 | We'll Meet Again | Vera Lynn |
| 10 | You Raise Me Up | Westlife |
The top hymns in the same chart were Abide With Me, All Things Bright and Beautiful, The Lord Is My Shepherd, Morning Has Broken and Amazing Grace [6]. Co-op also notes that families increasingly choose music that reflects the humor and quirks of the person [6]. If the song that fits them is unexpected, you're in good company.
Browse the Song Collection
Search by name, or use the filters to find songs that match the genre, mood, and moment you are looking for.
Genre
Mood
When to play
Amazing Grace
Traditional
Timeless hymn of redemption and hope — the most requested funeral song in America
How Great Thou Art
Traditional
Powerful expression of faith and awe at creation
Ave Maria
Schubert
Elegant, reverent classical hymn perfect for quiet moments
On Eagle's Wings
Michael Joncas
Popular Catholic funeral hymn about being carried by God
Be Not Afraid
Bob Dufford
Comforting hymn about God's presence through life's trials
In the Garden
C. Austin Miles
Peaceful, reflective hymn about walking with God
The Old Rugged Cross
George Bennard
Classic Protestant hymn about faith and sacrifice
Abide With Me
Henry Francis Lyte
Traditional evening hymn about God's constant presence
Nearer, My God, to Thee
Sarah Flower Adams
Hymn about drawing closer to God through adversity
It Is Well with My Soul
Horatio Spafford
Written after the loss of four daughters — a testimony of peace through grief
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Thomas A. Dorsey
Gospel classic written after the loss of the composer's wife and child
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Traditional Spiritual
Iconic African American spiritual about being carried home
Going Home
Dvorak (arr. William Arms Fisher)
Adapted from the Largo of Dvorak's New World Symphony — peaceful and transcendent
Pie Jesu
Andrew Lloyd Webber / Faure
Ethereal, sacred prayer for eternal rest
Be Still My Soul
Katharina von Schlegel
Hymn of trust in God's plan, set to Finlandia by Sibelius
Canon in D
Pachelbel
Elegant processional favorite — warm, familiar, and graceful
Clair de Lune
Debussy
Gentle, reflective piano piece that evokes moonlight and memory
Adagio for Strings
Samuel Barber
Deeply moving orchestral piece — one of the most performed funeral works
Air on the G String
J.S. Bach
Serene, graceful — a timeless choice for processionals
Nimrod (Enigma Variations)
Edward Elgar
Noble, deeply emotional — played at state funerals and remembrance ceremonies
Moonlight Sonata
Beethoven
Contemplative, beautiful piano that suits moments of quiet reflection
The Swan (Carnival of the Animals)
Saint-Saens
Graceful cello solo that evokes serenity and gentle farewell
Gymnopedie No. 1
Erik Satie
Gentle, melancholic piano — simple and deeply moving
Requiem: Lacrimosa
Mozart
Powerful, dramatic — for services that call for grandeur and solemnity
Showing 24 of 120 songs. Use the filters above or click “Show all” to see the complete collection.
Practicalities
Live or recorded music
Organist, soloist or band
Live music adds a great deal. Ask the venue about instruments, amplification and any rules on secular songs. The organist may be due an honorarium [8]; your funeral director or clergy can tell you what's customary. When performers are paid, check that the venue's license covers live music [1].
Playing recordings
- Listen to every track all the way through before the day, and choose the exact version (studio, live or a cover).
- Download the files so you aren't relying on the venue's internet. Keep a backup on a second device.
- Give the person running audio a cue sheet: which song, when to start, when to fade.
Licensing
Music and copyright: what families need to know
Most families never need a license themselves. What matters is where the music is played, whether the service is streamed or posted online, and whether performers are paid.
| Situation | What usually applies |
|---|---|
| Funeral home | Copyright law requires a performance license for establishments that play copyrighted music [3]. NFDA's license covers the BMI, SESAC and ASCAP catalogs [3]. Ask whether your funeral home has one. |
| Place of worship | Religious works performed during services are exempt [1]. For a secular pop song, ask the venue. |
| Private home, family and friends | Generally not a public performance. The law asks whether people gather beyond “a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances” [2]. |
| Restaurant, hall or park | These can be places open to the public, so the performance may be public [2],[5]. The venue's own license usually applies; ask. |
| Paid musicians or admission charged | The general exemption for non-commercial performances doesn't apply if performers are paid or admission is charged [1]. |
| Livestream | A stream is a transmission to the public [2], which the exemption excludes [1]. Funeral homes need a separate license to stream music [3]. |
| Slideshow video posted online | Setting a song to video needs synchronization rights, which BMI doesn't license [5]. Use licensed or royalty-free music, or keep the video private. |
Faith and culture
Choosing by tradition
Hymns are central to many Christian services, though music isn't essential [7]. Practices vary widely between and within faiths: some traditions use chanting or prayers rather than songs, and some congregations limit recorded or secular music. Ask the officiant before you plan. Our funeral etiquette guide covers customs by faith.
Planning
Building the playlist
- Prelude: plan enough music to cover the time guests are arriving, plus a few extra tracks in case the start runs late.
- Slideshow: match the slideshow to one song, or edit the photo timing so it ends with the music.
- Transitions: note who signals each song and whether it fades or plays to the end.
- Reception: a longer, lighter playlist of music they loved.
The planner's cue sheet has a row for each track. Planning a whole celebration? See our celebration of life guide for a sample program.
FAQ
Questions about memorial music
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Read all FAQs or ask us directly.
Important Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Last reviewed: October 7, 2026
Sources
Where these facts come from
- [1]17 U.S. Code § 110: Limitations on exclusive rights: exemption of certain performances and displays · Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
- [2]Copyright Law of the United States, Chapter 1 (§§ 101, 106) · U.S. Copyright Office
- [3]Music & Livestreaming · National Funeral Directors Association
- [4]ASCAP OnStage · ASCAP
- [5]Limited Music Use · BMI
- [6]Funeral music charts 2025 (UK) · Co-op Funeralcare, 2025
- [7]Religious Customs at Funerals · The Emily Post Institute
- [8]Preparing for a Funeral · The Emily Post Institute
Reviewed by the Linkora editorial team against the sources above. Last reviewed October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Song titles and artist names are the property of their rights holders. This guide doesn't reproduce lyrics and is for planning purposes only.
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