Songs That Celebrate Life
Finding songs that fit within a funeral can be daunting, so here is a list to get your started. My suggestion is to firstly think about artists or songs that the person who has passed liked. Secondly, look at songs that the family feel match the person's outlook on life. Thirdly, look at songs that go someway towards explaining how you feel about the person now they have passed. It's no easy task.
You'll probably need at least four songs for a ceremony.
1. The entrance - to use as the family and mourners enter the chapel immediately prior to the service.
2. Tributes - if video or photos are going to be used you will need 1-2 songs to play while they are bring played.
3. Reflection - the moment where people approach the coffin to leave rosemary on the casket and say goodbye to their loved one (sometimes 2 songs may be needed)
4. Exit - to end the ceremony and as the family exit a song can be played that sums up the person's life.
So here's a list I've put together of songs that have been used at funerals I have officiated.
Time to Say Goodbye – Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli
(or the Italian version Con te Partiro by Andreas Bocelli)
You’ll Never Walk Alone – Gerry & the Pacemakers
Angel - Sarah McLachlan
We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn
Unforgettable – Nat King Cole (or the version with Natalie Cole as a duet), or even listen to Sia's version from "Finding Dory"
Imagine – John Lennon
Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
My Way – Frank Sinatra
The Best – Tina Turner
Goodbye My Lover - James Blunt
Candle in the Wind – Elton John
The Way We Were – Barbara Streisand
Gone to Soon – Michael Jackson
Somewhere Over The Rainbow/Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo
I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
The Prayer - Andrea Bocelli (ft Celine Dion) or the Anthony Callea version
You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
Let’s Talk About Love – Celine Dion
Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
Bring Him Home – Josh Groban
Don’t You Forget About Me – Simple Minds or the slower more haunting Hollywood Mon Amour version
Amazing – Alex Lloyd
Wish you Where Here – Fleetwood Mac
Days Like This - Van Morrison
Danny Boy – Daniel O’Donnell
He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother – The Hollies
Amazing Grace – Leann Rimes
Ave Marie – Celine Dion or the versions by Sarah Brightman, or Beyonce
Pie Jesu - Angelis
Hallelujah “Vocal” – Mozart
Fields of Gold – Sting
Angels – Robbie Williams
Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
Goodbye – Lionel Ritchie
Morning Has Broken – Cat Stevens
Sailing – Rod Stewart
The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore – The Walker Brothers
I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston/Dolly Parton
Steve Mummery is a celebrant based in Perth who can officiate the celebration of a loved one's life.
Funerals don't need to be a morbid affair - its already sad enough.
Steve believes that a ceremony to celebrate the life of a loved one is how most people would prefer their own life be dealt with once they are gone.
It would be my honour to help you celebrate the life of your loved one.