90+ Country Funeral Songs for Saying Goodbye

Country music has always been good at the hard stuff. Loss, faith, family, a life spent working with your hands.

So it makes sense that so many families want to use a country song when as part of a funeral.

It could be that the person you lost had the radio tuned to a country station every day of their life. Or they sang along to George Strait in the truck or played Johnny Cash on a Sunday afternoon. Either way the right song can say a lot about who they were.

So we have over 90 country funeral songs to look through. They’re split by who you’re saying goodbye to with sections for gospel and bluegrass, classic country, military funerals and some upbeat songs for a celebration of life.

There’s a line or two included for most of them so you know what the song is about before you listen.

If you’d like some more interesting songs that aren’t country our main list of funeral songs covers every style.

Table of Contents

The Most Popular Country Funeral Songs

These are the songs that are the most popular for country funerals. If you’re short on time this is the best place to start.

Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill. Probably the best known country funeral song of all. He started writing it after Keith Whitley died and finished it after losing his brother.
The Dance by Garth Brooks. About being glad for the good times, even knowing how it all ends.
Holes in the Floor of Heaven by Steve Wariner. A gentle idea that the people we’ve lost are still watching over us.
If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away by Justin Moore. About wishing you could drive up for a visit, just for an afternoon.
Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan. Quiet and sad, about losing someone too early and heading down to the water to remember them.
Who You’d Be Today by Kenny Chesney. For someone who died young.
See You Again by Carrie Underwood. Hopeful, with the promise of meeting again.
Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood. About this life being just a stop along the way.
Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw. For someone who made the most of every day.
One More Day by Diamond Rio. A simple wish for one more day with them. It’s a very hard song to get through.
Angels Among Us by Alabama. About the kind people who show up when we need them most.

Country Funeral Songs for Dad

Country music has a lot of songs about fathers and many of them are about the quiet things dads do. The things like fixing the car, taking the kids fishing. Working hard and not saying much about it. There are more ideas in our funeral songs for dad.

Daddy’s Hands by Holly Dunn. A loving look at a father’s hands, rough from work but gentle at home.
The Best Day by George Strait. A father looking back on the best days with his son.
Love Without End, Amen by George Strait. About a father’s love that never runs out.
He Didn’t Have to Be by Brad Paisley. A lovely choice for a stepdad.
Watching You by Rodney Atkins. A son copying everything his dad does.
Just Fishin’ by Trace Adkins. For a dad who loved a day on the water with his kids.
My Old Man by Zac Brown Band. A grown son finally understanding his father.
There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney. About a young dad whose whole life changes and how glad he is it did.
I Drive Your Truck by Lee Brice. Written about losing a brother but it fits any loss where something they owned keeps them close.

Country Funeral Songs for Mom

Songs for a mom tend to be about the lessons she taught and the love she gave. You’ll find more in our funeral songs for mom.

Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton. About a mother sewing a coat from rags and filling it with love.
How Can I Help You Say Goodbye by Patty Loveless. In the last verse a mother comforts her daughter as her own life is coming to an end.
Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw. A list of everything a parent hopes their child remembers.
Mother Like Mine by The Band Perry. A thank you to a mother who held things together.
Love Can Build a Bridge by The Judds. Gentle and hopeful and sung by a mother and daughter.
The House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert. About going back to the home you grew up in. Lovely if she made that house a home.

Country Funeral Songs for a Grandparent

For a grandparent look for songs with a sense of a long life and the stories that came with it.

In Color by Jamey Johnson. A grandfather looking through old black and white photos and explaining what they don’t show.
Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days) by The Judds. A request for one more story.
Grandpa Told Me So by Kenny Chesney. About all the advice a grandfather passed down.
Love, Me by Collin Raye. A grandson tells the story of an old love note between his grandparents. It ends at a funeral so have tissues ready.
Grandma’s Feather Bed by John Denver. Light and happy for a grandma whose house was full of family.
Holes in the Floor of Heaven by Steve Wariner. Written from the point of view of a grandson and it fits a grandparent well.

Country Funeral Songs for a Husband or Wife

For a spouse your wedding song or the one you used to dance to in the kitchen will mean more than anything on a list. If you need somewhere to start these are all about lasting love.

If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks. About making sure the person you love knows it.
I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton. She wrote it and her version is quieter and gentler than most people expect.
Remember When by Alan Jackson. A whole marriage in one song.
Forever and Ever, Amen by Randy Travis. A promise of love that lasts.
When You Say Nothing at All by Keith Whitley. About a love that didn’t need words.
Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson. Tender and a little regretful.
Amazed by Lonestar. Soft and romantic.
Then by Brad Paisley. About love growing over the years.
Monday Morning Church by Alan Jackson. About a man trying to carry on after losing his wife. It’s very sad so it may suit the slideshow more than the service.
Over You by Miranda Lambert. Written with Blake Shelton about losing his brother but it speaks to any loss.

Country Songs for Someone Who Died Young

When someone dies young the hurt is somehow even worse. These songs don’t try to explain that.

Who You’d Be Today by Kenny Chesney
If I Die Young by The Band Perry
Heaven Was Needing a Hero by Jo Dee Messina
Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan
Wish You Were Here by Mark Wills
There You’ll Be by Faith Hill
Broken Halos by Chris Stapleton
Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood

Country Songs for a Friend

For a friend think about the songs you shared. The one you played on every road trip or the one they always requested at the bar. These are a good place to start.

My Old Friend by Tim McGraw. A simple goodbye to a friend.
Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan
Don’t Blink by Kenny Chesney. About how fast a life goes by.
You’re Gonna Miss This by Trace Adkins. A reminder to hold on to the everyday moments.
I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack. A wish for a full life.
My Wish by Rascal Flatts. Warm and hopeful.

Country Gospel and Religious Songs

If faith was a big part of their life then a country gospel song can bring the family real comfort. Many of these are old hymns that country singers have recorded for generations. Our list of Christian funeral songs has more ideas.

Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill
When I Get Where I’m Going by Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton. About everything waiting on the other side.
I Saw the Light by Hank Williams. A joyful old gospel song.
Why Me by Kris Kristofferson. Humble and quiet.
Three Wooden Crosses by Randy Travis. About what we leave behind.
Believe by Brooks & Dunn. A young man remembers an older neighbor and the faith he passed on.
(There’ll Be) Peace in the Valley (for Me) by Red Foley. Written by Thomas A. Dorsey and later recorded by Elvis Presley too.
Precious Memories, traditional gospel song, recorded by Alan Jackson
How Great Thou Art, traditional hymn, recorded by Alan Jackson
Will the Circle Be Unbroken, gospel standard sung by country artists ever since the Carter Family recorded an early version
Amazing Grace, traditional hymn with words by John Newton

Bluegrass and Old Time Songs

Bluegrass suits someone who loved a fiddle and a banjo or who grew up in the mountains. These are simple, old and very moving, especially sung by a small group with a guitar.

I’ll Fly Away by Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch. Written by Albert E. Brumley. Hopeful and easy to sing along to.
Angel Band by The Stanley Brothers. A traditional song about being carried home.
Down to the River to Pray by Alison Krauss. Gentle and beautiful sung acappella with a choir.
Wayfaring Stranger, traditional, recorded by Emmylou Harris. About crossing over to see loved ones again.
Precious Memories, traditional

Classic Country Funeral Songs

For someone who loved the old stuff these are the songs they probably grew up on. Some aren’t about death at all but they have that same feeling of missing someone.

He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones. Often called the saddest country song ever written.
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry by Hank Williams
Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground by Willie Nelson
Funny How Time Slips Away by Willie Nelson
Silver Wings by Merle Haggard
Hurt by Johnny Cash. Recorded near the end of his life. It’s very heavy so listen to it first.
Happy Trails by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. A sweet, old fashioned goodbye.

Country Songs for a Veteran or Military Funeral

For someone who served these songs honor that service and the people who never came home. You may also find something useful in our funeral poems for a veteran.

Some Gave All by Billy Ray Cyrus
Arlington by Trace Adkins
If You’re Reading This by Tim McGraw
Riding with Private Malone by David Ball
God Bless the U.S.A. by Lee Greenwood

Songs for a Cowboy, Farmer or Outdoorsman

Some people are best remembered by where they loved to be. Out on the land, on a horse or sitting by a lake with a fishing pole.

Should’ve Been a Cowboy by Toby Keith
Amarillo by Morning by George Strait
Cowboy Take Me Away by The Chicks
Ghost Riders in the Sky by Johnny Cash
Where the Green Grass Grows by Tim McGraw
Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day by Luke Bryan
Fishin’ in the Dark by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song) by Brad Paisley. Funny, so only for the right crowd.
Happy Trails by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans

Upbeat Country Songs for a Celebration of Life

Not every goodbye has to be quiet. If they were the life of the party then a song everyone can sing along to might be the best tribute. These work well at the reception or as people leave. For more,l see our songs for a celebration of life.

On the Road Again by Willie Nelson
Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver
Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks
Mountain Music by Alabama
Chattahoochee by Alan Jackson
Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker
Boot Scootin’ Boogie by Brooks & Dunn
Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash
Family Tradition by Hank Williams Jr.
I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack
Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw

Tips for Choosing Country Funeral Songs

Start with their favorites. Ask the family what they always had playing. A song they loved will feel right and not just like another standard funeral song.
Listen all the way through. Lots of country songs tell a full story and a verse halfway through might be about a breakup, a crash or drinking. Make sure all of the song fits.
Think about where it goes. A slow, sad song will work best as people arrive or during a moment of reflection. Something more hopeful is better suited to the end of the service and the upbeat ones are better saved for the reception.
Check with the church. Some churches only allow hymns or religious music during the service. If so country gospel can be a good middle ground and you can play the others at the graveside or the gathering after.
Consider live music. A friend with a guitar singing I’ll Fly Away can be more moving than any recording.
Two or three songs is plenty. One to open, one in the middle and one to close is a common pattern.
Test the sound. Give the funeral home your songs early and ask them to check the playback before the day.
Print the titles in the program. People often want to look the song up later. Our funeral program wording examples show how to lay that out.

I’ve always thought the best funeral songs are the ones that make people say “oh, that was so them”.’If a song does that it’s a good choice regardless of whether it’s a gospel classic or a bar room sing along.