30 Best Celebration of Life Songs
A curated guide for American families planning a service that should feel like a tribute, not a funeral. Pick a song they loved, or commission a personalised memorial song when nothing on this list quite fits.
Uplifting songs for a celebration of life
The songs American families pick most often when the service is meant to feel like a tribute, not a funeral.
What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong
The most-requested celebration of life song in the US.
I'll Fly Away, Alison Krauss / Gillian Welch
Bluegrass gospel, joyful, hopeful, deeply American.
Lean on Me, Bill Withers
For someone who showed up for everybody.
Three Little Birds, Bob Marley
Soft, smiling, easy for kids and grandkids to sing along to.
My Way, Frank Sinatra
For a life lived on their own terms.
Forever Young, Bob Dylan / Rod Stewart
A parent's blessing, works beautifully for any generation.
Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
When the room needs to sing together.
Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles
For services held outdoors, or in spring.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
Ukulele version, light, hopeful, never heavy.
Don't Stop Believin', Journey
An unconventional choice that lands every time at a celebration of life.
Country songs for a celebration of life
Country music speaks the language of farewell better than almost any other genre.
Go Rest High on That Mountain, Vince Gill
The country funeral song. Written for Vince's brother.
I Hope You Dance, Lee Ann Womack
For a daughter, granddaughter, or anyone with their life ahead of them.
Humble and Kind, Tim McGraw
A list of everything they tried to teach you.
If Tomorrow Never Comes, Garth Brooks
Quiet, honest, and devastating in the right room.
When I Get Where I'm Going, Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton
A hopeful picture of what comes next.
The Dance, Garth Brooks
The classic, about being grateful you knew them at all.
Live Like You Were Dying, Tim McGraw
For a celebration of how they spent their final years.
Believe, Brooks & Dunn
Honest about doubt and hope at the same time.
Hymns and gospel for a celebration of life
Familiar, congregation-friendly choices for services held in a church or with a faith tradition.
Amazing Grace, Traditional
The American funeral hymn. Works with voice, bagpipes, or solo guitar.
How Great Thou Art, Traditional
Strong, hopeful, easy to sing.
It Is Well With My Soul, Traditional
Written after the loss of four daughters, and still hopeful.
I'll Fly Away, Traditional Gospel
Upbeat enough for a celebration of life.
On Eagle's Wings, Michael Joncas
A staple at Catholic memorial services.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Traditional
For a family who sings together.
Modern songs that work as a tribute
Newer songs that have quietly become regulars at American celebrations of life.
See You Again, Charlie Puth & Wiz Khalifa
For a friend, sibling, or anyone gone too young.
Supermarket Flowers, Ed Sheeran
Written for his grandmother. Modern, gentle, true.
Fire and Rain, James Taylor
A perfect choice for any acoustic-guitar tribute.
Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel
For someone who was the steady one.
Tears in Heaven, Eric Clapton
Written after the loss of his son, quiet, devastating, hopeful.
Photograph, Ed Sheeran
Pairs perfectly with a slideshow.
When no song on the list feels right
Sometimes the person you're remembering deserves a song that's just theirs. We write, record and deliver a bespoke memorial song in 48 hours, anywhere in the US.