Your grandparents are perhaps the first ‘old people’ you meet and befriend as a child. They’re the ones who always stick up for you when you get into trouble with your parents. And your Grandpa could be the person who took you out fishing or camping when you were a kid. They could’ve been your introduction to a time long forgotten by the people of your generation.
Losing your Grandpa is always tough, and you might struggle to find a way of expressing yourself. Making a funeral playlist for your grandpa could be your way of showing what he meant to you while also showing those in attendance, the kind of person he was.
When choosing the funeral songs for grandpa to include in your playlist for a funeral or memorial service, it’s important to keep in mind that the song selections should be in accordance with his tastes, rather than just playing popular songs. If there were any songs that were precious to him or describe him, be sure to include them in your playlist.
But with the vast variety of songs that exist, coming up with a mere 10 or 20 songs can seem like a daunting task. Which songs to include? Which ones would be apt? Well luckily for you, we’ve made a list of the 24 greatest funeral songs for grandpa.
1) Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Israel Kamakawiwoʻole)
There’s a certain magical charm to this song that brings a smile to anyone’s face when they hear it. Perhaps it’s Israel’s singing, perhaps it’s the simple ukelele, or maybe it’s the beautiful lyrics. But what’s certain is that this song will remind you that it’s not all doom and gloom. It never is. Happy songs can also be included in a playlist of funeral songs.
2) Forever Young (Rod Stewart)
Stewart has said that Forever Young was one of his favorite songs due to the fact that it was a song about his children. For most parents, their children are a big part of their lives and are always on the back of their minds.
3) You’ll Never Walk Alone (Judy Garland)
A wonderful song in memory of grandpa, You’ll Never Walk Alone is about having your loved ones by your side, even when it might seem like they’re not, Garland sings that whatever happens in life, you’ll never walk alone.
4) Smile (Nat King Cole)
Your parents play a major role in shaping who you are as a person. Cole sings about how this influence is carried through by singing about the advice that would be given to your younger selves.
5) Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley)
Originally sung by Leonard Cohen, it is Buckley’s melancholic rendition of the song that truly conveys the sadness buried in the lyrics. Accompanied by a single electric guitar, you can feel Buckley’s pain as he sings the song, making it a perfect funeral song to mourn the loss of your loved one.
6) Don’t Worry, Be Happy (Bobby McFerrin)
The iconic whistle, the straightforward, almost too simplistic lyrics, McFerrin’s jovial voice. This song was meant to lift moods, and it does a very good job of doing that. No matter how bad things may get, just weather through it because good times will come.
7) Peace In The Valley (Johnny Cash)
Life is hard. And it’s the hardships and the journey that makes life truly worth living. Originally written by Mahalia Jackson, Peace In The Valley is about how everyone is finally left to be at peace when they die.
8) Live Like You Were Dying (Tim McGraw)
A song that was inspired by McGraw’s relationship with his father, Live Like You Were Dying is about living life to its fullest by treating every day like it was your last. If your grandpa was a fan of country music, then you should consider including this amongst the funeral songs in your playlist.
9) I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)
A timeless classic, I Will Always Love You is a song about the eternal nature of love, and how love transcends everything.
10) Live Forever (Oasis)
This is a song that reminds us that our loved ones never truly leave us, for they live on through our memories of them. A funeral service is about remembering our loved ones, and this classic funeral song reminds us that it’s never really over.
11) Amazing Grace (Jennifer Hudson)
While Amazing Grace is an uplifting funeral hymn in and of itself, this rendition by Jeniffer Hudson takes the cake for her masterful technique in conveying the beauty of the song.
12) There You’ll Be (Faith Hill)
Throughout our lives, there are some people that we grow to rely on. These people are with us throughout thick and thin and they could be your friend, parent, better half, or even your pet. This song is a ‘Thank You Note’ to those who have always been there for you.
13) In My Life (The Beatles)
A song about introspection, In My Life talks of how everyone leads different lives that ultimately has some meaning.
14) My Way (Frank Sinatra)
Being your own person is the central theme of the song, and that could exactly be the send-off that your loved one deserved and needs. A popular song for older generations, this song’s relevance makes it one of the best funeral songs for your grandpa.
15) If Tomorrow Never Comes (Garth Brooks)
Human beings are often victims of not living in the moment. They worry about what may be or what was rather than focusing on the present. If Tomorrow Never Comes is about not taking our lives for granted and living every day to the fullest.
16) You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban)
A song about how our loved ones helps us keep going, You Raise Me Up serves as a Thank You to our loved ones who kept striving to keep us strong through the tough times.
17) Troubadour (George Strait)
Growing old is something that everyone goes through. Although it’s a universal phenomenon, people treat it very differently. One of the most popular George Strait funeral songs, Troubadour is a song about how people can remain young at heart even if they age physically.
18) Holes in the Floor of Heaven (Steve Wariner)
Sometimes, the ones who guided us through life might eventually leave us behind. Holes In The Floor Of Heaven is a sort of reassurance that even though they might’ve passed on, your loved ones are watching over you from the beyond.
19) Let It Be
One of the most popular songs by the Fab Four, Let It Be is a song about just letting things be when it is clear that there’s nothing that we can do.
20) Fix You (Coldplay)
While the melancholic tone of the song deals with the regret of not being able to save someone when they were still alive, it still leave us optimistic about the person finally finding ‘home’.
21) When September Ends (Greenday)
Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong displayed his songwriting credentials through this song as he talks of moving on following the death of a loved one. The inspiration for the song came from Armstrong’s experience following the death of his father when he was 10.
22) Ave Maria
One of the most popular funeral songs, this timeless classical piece brings in a sense of tranquility and peace to the funeral service.
23) Go Rest High On That Mountain (Vince Gill)
Some people go through lives of hardships. Even the most virtuous people are sometimes unfortunate to have suffering after suffering. Go Rest High On That Mountain is about your loved one finally being able to rest in peace.
24) Broken Halos (Chris Stapleton)
Grandpas are an important part of many of our lives. But just like us, the ones we lost should also move on. Because life goes on. Broken Halos is a song about how your loved ones eventually become angels that guide others. With your grandpa in heaven, he watches over others. Just like he did on Earth.
Funerals can be somber affairs, and it should be noted that creating a playlist and playing it is done in accordance with the deceased’s wishes from when they were alive. For a more comprehensive guide on creating a general playlist, check out the Top 30 Funeral Songs of All Time.
