Choosing the right music is one of the most personal decisions when planning a funeral. A song can capture a life in three minutes — the humour, the faith, the quiet strength, or the love that defined someone. This guide covers 40 popular UK funeral songs across every style, from traditional hymns to modern pop, so you can find what fits.
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What makes a good funeral song?
There are no rules. The right choice depends on the person being remembered and the tone of the service. Most families choose songs that fall into one of three categories:
- Meaningful to the person — a favourite song, something they played on road trips, or a tune from their wedding
- Comforting to those who grieve — music that offers peace, hope, or a sense that love continues
- Setting the tone — an uplifting entrance, a quiet reflective piece, or an upbeat exit that celebrates a life well lived
40 popular UK funeral songs
Traditional hymns
These remain the most commonly requested songs at UK funerals, particularly for church services or traditional ceremonies.
- Abide with Me — Henry Lyte / William Henry Monk. A timeless hymn of comfort and faith. Often sung at church funerals and football cup finals alike.
- Amazing Grace — John Newton. Perhaps the most requested hymn worldwide. Works beautifully sung by a congregation or played solo on bagpipes.
- The Lord is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) — Set to Crimond. A deeply reassuring piece drawn from scripture, offering comfort to the grieving.
- How Great Thou Art — Carl Boberg / Stuart Hine. A grand, sweeping hymn best suited to services where a choir or strong congregation can carry it.
- Jerusalem — William Blake / Hubert Parry. Stirring and patriotic, often used to honour someone with a strong sense of Britishness.
- Lead Kindly Light — John Henry Newman / John Bacchus Dykes. Quiet and contemplative, suited to more gentle or traditional services.
- I Vow to Thee, My Country — Cecil Spring Rice / Gustav Holst. Popular at military and civic funerals; the melody from The Planets is instantly recognisable.
- O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go — George Matheson. A tender hymn about enduring love, appropriate for losses after long illness.
- Praise My Soul the King of Heaven — Henry Francis Lyte. Joyful and uplifting, often used at Anglican funerals where the family wants a celebratory element.
- The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended — John Ellerton. A beautiful evening hymn that works well as a closing piece at graveside or crematorium.
Non-religious and secular songs
These songs carry deep meaning without religious content, making them ideal for humanist, civil, or non-religious funerals.
- My Way — Frank Sinatra. A celebration of a life lived on one’s own terms. One of the most requested funeral songs in the UK.
- Wind Beneath My Wings — Bette Midler. A tribute from someone who was always supported and lifted by the person they’ve lost.
- Angels — Robbie Williams. Enormously popular at UK funerals. Comforting, anthemic, and universally recognisable.
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow — Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. The ukulele version is gentle, hopeful, and works beautifully as a piece for reflection or exit.
- Time to Say Goodbye — Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman. Operatic and sweeping, best played as a recessional when the coffin leaves.
- You’ll Never Walk Alone — Gerry & The Pacemakers. Uplifting and defiant against grief. Especially meaningful for football fans or those from Liverpool.
- Unforgettable — Nat King Cole. Works as a quiet, dignified piece during a ceremony, or as background music before the service begins.
- What a Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong. Warm, nostalgic, and gently optimistic. Suits someone who found joy in everyday things.
- Moon River — Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer. Quiet, wistful, and elegant. A popular choice for entrance or quiet reflection.
- Danny Boy — Frederic Weatherly. A deeply moving Irish ballad about loss and the hope of reunion. One of the most performed songs at UK funerals.
Modern and pop songs
More recent songs are increasingly chosen at UK funerals, particularly where families want to reflect their loved one’s taste or personality.
- Fix You — Coldplay. Quiet verses that build to an emotional crescendo. Works as a tribute to someone who always supported others.
- Tears in Heaven — Eric Clapton. Written from grief, this song resonates deeply with those who have lost someone suddenly.
- The Show Must Go On — Queen. For someone who faced illness or adversity with courage. Theatrical and powerful.
- Bohemian Rhapsody — Queen. Unconventional and unforgettable. Growing in popularity for people who wanted something completely unique.
- Hallelujah — Leonard Cohen (Jeff Buckley version). Spiritual without being explicitly religious. Works across many service types.
- Supermarket Flowers — Ed Sheeran. Written about losing his grandmother. Achingly personal and devastatingly simple.
- Flying Without Wings — Westlife. Emotional and sincere, popular across all age groups at UK services.
- Have I Told You Lately — Rod Stewart. A love song that works beautifully as a tribute from a spouse or long-term partner.
- Shine — Take That. Uplifting and joyful, particularly for someone who always brought happiness to those around them.
- See You Again — Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth. Popular at funerals for younger people or those with family members who appreciate modern music.
Classical and instrumental
Instrumental pieces are ideal as background music before a service, during the placing of flowers, or as a recessional.
- Clair de Lune — Claude Debussy. Soft, contemplative piano music that creates a peaceful atmosphere.
- Nimrod — Edward Elgar. Deeply English and profoundly moving. Often used at Remembrance Day and popular at military funerals.
- Ave Maria — Schubert or Gounod. Both versions are frequently used; particularly appropriate for Catholic services.
- Canon in D — Johann Pachelbel. A familiar, gentle piece that works equally well in church or at a crematorium.
- Adagio for Strings — Samuel Barber. Profoundly sorrowful, best used in a longer reflective moment or before the coffin arrives.
Celtic and country songs
- The Fields of Athenry — Pete St John. Popular at Irish funerals and those with Irish heritage; both lament and anthem.
- She Moved Through the Fair — Traditional Irish. Hauntingly beautiful, often played as a solo harp or piano piece during reflection.
- Over the Hills and Far Away — Gary Moore version. For those who loved the outdoors or had a military connection.
- Caledonia — Dougie MacLean. A Scottish anthem of longing and home, popular at Scottish funerals and those with Highland connections.
- The Parting Glass — Traditional. A gentle farewell song from the Irish and Scottish tradition. Often sung at the wake or end of service.
Songs for a celebration of life
- Happy — Pharrell Williams. Unconventional but increasingly chosen for upbeat farewells that the deceased specifically requested.
- Don’t Stop Me Now — Queen. High-energy and joyful — for someone who lived at full speed and wanted a send-off to match.
- Always Look on the Bright Side of Life — Monty Python. Surprising but increasingly popular for upbeat farewells that reflect someone’s humour and spirit.
- Golden Years — David Bowie. Joyful, energetic, and celebratory — particularly popular at celebration of life services for someone who loved music.
- Because You Loved Me — Céline Dion. A direct tribute, often chosen by children for a parent or a partner for a spouse.
How many songs does a funeral service need?
Most UK funeral services include two or three pieces of music — typically one on entry, one for reflection during the committal, and one on exit. Some families add a fourth piece if there’s a hymn for the congregation to sing together.
If you’re planning the order of service, it helps to note the song title, artist, and whether it will be played as recorded music, sung by the congregation, or performed live. Our free funeral order of service templates make it easy to present this clearly in a printed booklet — with 500+ designs and free next-day UK delivery.
What is the most popular funeral song in the UK?
According to funeral directors, ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra and ‘Angels’ by Robbie Williams consistently top the UK charts. Traditional hymns like ‘Abide with Me’ and ‘Amazing Grace’ are also perennial favourites, particularly for church services.
Can I use any song at a funeral?
Generally yes, though music must be licensed for public performance. Funeral homes typically hold PRS and PPL licences that cover recorded music, so you can play almost any song. If a live musician is performing, check with the funeral director about licensing.
Should funeral music be sad?
Not necessarily. Many families choose uplifting, joyful, or even humorous songs that reflect the personality of the person who has died rather than the sadness of the occasion. Songs like ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’ or ‘Shine’ by Take That create a celebration of life atmosphere.
Can I include song lyrics in the order of service?
You can include a few lines or a chorus to help the congregation follow along if they’re expected to sing. For congregational hymns, printing the full words is standard. For recorded songs, listing the title and artist is usually enough.
Include your song choices in the order of service
Once you’ve chosen the music, the order of service is the place to list it clearly — so guests know what to expect and can follow along with any congregational singing.
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