Choosing a funeral song that celebrates the life of your loved one can feel like a daunting task. The music you pick doesn’t have to be traditional – it’s more important to pick a song that reflects the person you’re honouring. If your loved one was joyful and cheerful in their life, you might want to choose an upbeat funeral song that reflects their personality and gives their friends and family members a feeling of hope and inspiration.
Looking for inspiration? Here are 9 of our favourite uplifting funeral songs:
1) The River of Dreams – Billy Joel
Billy Joel’s ‘The River of Dreams’ is about more than just sleepwalking – dig a little deeper and you’ll find this upbeat song questions the meaning of life and our existence.
“In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep, through the desert of the truth, to the river so deep, we all end in the ocean, we all start in the streams, we’re all carried along by the river of dreams.”
2) Drops of Jupiter – Train
This song is full of joy but also manages to give you goosebumps.Patrick Monahan wrote the song about his mother who died of cancer and the opening line came to him in a dream:
“Now that she’s back in the atmosphere. With drops of Jupiter in her hair, hey, hey.”
3) Spirit In The Sky – Norman Greenbaum
There’s something about this song that makes you want to dance, and what’s wrong with dancing while celebrating someone’s life?
“Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky, that’s where I’m gonna go when I die. When I die and they lay me to rest, gonna go to the place that’s the best.”
4) Simple Minds – Don’t You (Forget About Me)
You might know this powerful song from the 80s film, The Breakfast Club. This is a perfect funeral song to celebrate the fact that your loved one will never be forgotten.
“Don’t you, forget about me. Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t. Don’t you, forget about me”
5) Firework- Katy Perry
If your loved one was the type of person that lit up the sky, Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ might just be the perfect choice. This song is all about finding strength in difficult times and can be a real comfort in difficult times.
“Baby you’re a firework. Come on let your colours burst. Make ‘em go oh, oh oh”
6) Follow the Sun – Xavier Rudd
If you want to choose uplifting funeral music that focuses on life, rather than death, this song is a beautiful choice all about the circle of life.
“Tomorrow is a new day for everyone, brand new moon, brand new sun. So follow, follow the sun, the direction of the bird, the direction of love.”
7) Keg On My Coffin – The Push Stars
‘Keg On my Coffin’ is an offbeat, sweet song that will put a smile on your face. It’s a great reminder to enjoy life and not take it too seriously.
“Drink up life like a river ‘til the pizza man delivers. Smile and know I loved you ‘til the end.”
8) Dancing Queen – Abba
If your loved one was young-at-heart and danced through life, Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ might just be the perfect funeral song for their send-off.
“You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen. Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine. Oh yeah, you can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life.”
9) The Time Of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
Famously used as the theme song for Dirty Dancing, it’s a comforting reminder of all the good times in life.
“I’ve had the time of my life. No, I never felt like this before. Yes I swear it’s the truth and I owe it all to you.”
Planning a funeral can be challenging, especially when you’re grieving, but you don’t have to do it alone. It’s our mission to help make difficult times a little easier. Collect memories, send funeral notices, write an online obituary and more with your free In MemorE page.
