Life is full of ups and downs. But sometimes, the downs can get you feeling a bit overwhelmed. We get it. Losing a loved one is always hard, and it can all get a bit too much to process at the same time. Music has a way of helping you out during your tough periods. It can amplify happiness, and it can be a shoulder to lean on when you’re sad. That’s the beauty of music.
Music can be a way of processing the feelings that you’re bottling up inside. We’ve put together a list of some songs about death to help you grieve your loss. Creating a playlist can serve as a distraction while also helping you process your feelings in the long run.
When creating a playlist consisting of songs about death, it’s important to keep in mind that the song selections that we’re recommending are just that. If there are songs that are personal to you or your loved one, then you can definitely include them as well.
But with the vast variety of songs that exist, coming up with a mere 10 or 20 songs can seem like a daunting task. Well we’re there for you, and we’ve made a list of 21 Songs About Death For Grieving Your Loss
1) Yesterday (The Beatles)
One of their most-covered songs, Yesterday is a song about how we’re always longing for times when things were simpler, a time when our loved ones were still in our lives.
2) Candle in the Wind (Elton John)
One of the most well-known funeral songs, especially when its context is taken into account. Candle In the Wind was written in memory of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years prior. It was re-written and released 25 years later following the tragic death of Princess Diana.
3) Tears In Heaven (Eric Clapton)
One of the saddest songs of all time, this ballad by Clapton was written following the death of his 4-year-old son, Conor. Despite his loss, Clapton is hopeful about seeing his son again in heaven. A bittersweet funeral song that is sure to invoke some strong emotions.
4) Stairway To Heaven (Led Zeppelin)
One of the most popular songs of all time, Stairway To Heaven starts off slow and keeps the pace until the guitar solo. From there on, it’s classic rock and roll. Due to its mystical lyrics and shifting tones, it has become a popular choice for upbeat funeral songs.
5) Everybody Hurts (R.E.M)
While no one likes being sad, it’s one of the things that reminds us that we’re all humans. No matter how tough you are, it’s alright to feel pain and just cry it out once in a while.
6) My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion)
The instantly recognizable hit from Titanic, this song is a timeless classic that moves people through Dion’s melodic vocals while she sings about how her heart will go on, despite the losses.
7) 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.
8) Fix You (Coldplay)
This song deals with the regret of not being able to save someone when they were still alive. But at the same time, it’s optimistic about the person finally finding ‘home’.
9) Remember Me (Miguel)
A song that made its appearance in the animated film Coco, this upbeat, yet tearful song that is about remembering your loved ones no matter how far away they are. Because despite the distance, they will always be by your side. This makes it one of the most bittersweet songs about losing a loved one.
10) If I Die Young (The Band Perry)
The death of younger ones is always painful due to their often unexpected nature. This song is about being grateful for living their best albeit for a short while.
11) Let It Be (The Beatles)
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.
12) Goodbye’s the Saddest Word - Celine Dion
A song for Mothers around the world, this song is about the importance of being there for the one person who has always been there for you no matter what. Your mom.
13) Lay Me Down (Sam Smith)
One of most heart-wrenching songs about losing someone, this Sam Smith ballad mourns the death of his loved one, wishing that he too could be laid down with his beloved.
14) Wake Me Up When September Ends (Greenday)
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.
15) 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.
16) See You Again (Charlie Puth)
Released as a tribute to the late Paul Walker, See You Again is a song about hope. The hope of seeing each other again despite parting ways right now. This is a perfect funeral song for a friend that might have passed away.
17) Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door (Guns N Roses)
Originally written by Bob Dylan, it’s this version with Axl Rose’s ripping voice and Slash’s slick solos that make the list.
18) 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.
19) 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.
20) You’ll Never Walk Alone (Judy Garland)
A song 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.
21) Jealous (Josh Daniel)
A perfect example of how a song can be interpreted in a number of ways, this version of Labrinth’s song about loss serves as a tribute to a loving friend that would make even the hardest of people shed a tear.
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. Now that you’ve got an idea on songs about death for grieving, check out the Top 30 Funeral Songs of All Time for a more comprehensive guide on creating a general playlist.
