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, billed in USD at checkout.