Rock Funeral Songs: 100+ Songs for Saying Goodbye

Rock music has never been about playing it safe. So if the person you lost was a larger than life personality or just like things loud then a rock song might be right for their funeral.

The right song can bring a bit of that person back into the room for a few minutes. And a quiet organ hymn might not be able to do that at all.

So we have over 100 rock funeral songs to look through. They’re split by who you’re saying goodbye to with sections for classic rock, power ballads, metal, Southern rock, instrumentals and some loud, happy songs for a celebration of life.

I’ve added a few lines with most of them so you know what the song is about before you decide ob it.

If you’d like some other ideas that aren’t rock our main list of funeral songs goes over every style.

Table of Contents

The Most Popular Rock Funeral Songs

These are the rocks songs you’ll hear most often at funerals.

Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton. Written after the death of his young son. Quiet and gentle, and probably the best known rock song about loss.
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan, or the Guns N’ Roses version for a louder send-off. Short, simple and easy to sing along to.
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd. About missing someone who isn’t there anymore.
Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd. A goodbye song with one of the most famous guitar solos ever recorded. It’s long, so you may want to fade it out.
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. Over eight minutes, so it often works best as people arrive or leave.
Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen. Written by Brian May for the film Highlander, about love that lasts beyond a lifetime.
Dust in the Wind by Kansas. A soft acoustic song about how short life is.
Nothing Else Matters by Metallica. A slow love song from a band most people know for something much heavier.
Let It Be by The Beatles. Paul McCartney has said it came from a dream about his mother, who died when he was a teenager.
November Rain by Guns N’ Roses. A big, sweeping ballad for someone who loved the 80s and 90s.
Fix You by Coldplay. About trying to help someone you love through the worst of it.

Rock Funeral Songs for Dad

A lot of dads would be playing music all the time. So if you grew up hearing a certain album on a Saturday morning that might be a good place to start. There are more ideas in our funeral songs for dad.

The Living Years by Mike + The Mechanics. About not getting to say everything you meant to say to your father. It hits hard.
Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own by U2. Bono wrote it about his father.
Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day. Billie Joe Armstrong wrote it about losing his dad as a boy.
Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelberg. A son’s thank you to his father, a music teacher and band leader.
Box of Rain by Grateful Dead. Phil Lesh wrote the music while his own father was dying.
Like a Rock by Bob Seger. For a dad who was steady and strong.
Cat’s in the Cradle by Harry Chapin. A father and son who never quite find the time. Sad, so listen first.
Against the Wind by Bob Seger. A man looking back on a full, hard working life.

Rock Funeral Songs for Mom

Rock songs about mothers are a little harder to find but the ones that are out there are lovely. You’ll find more choices in our funeral songs for mom.

Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd. A mother’s advice to her son, sung like a promise to keep it.
Let It Be by The Beatles
Julia by The Beatles. John Lennon wrote it for his mother, Julia.
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. About change, getting older and the people we lean on.
Wildflowers by Tom Petty. Soft and kind. Lovely for a mom who was a free spirit.
In My Life by The Beatles. About the people and places that mattered most.
Fields of Gold by Sting. Gentle and warm, about a love remembered over many years.

Rock Songs for a Husband or Wife

For a spouse your first dance or the song from your first concert together will mean more than anything here. If you’re stuck these are all about love that lasts.

Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
Thank You by Led Zeppelin. A simple, grateful love song.
Harvest Moon by Neil Young. About a long marriage and still wanting to dance.
Just Breathe by Pearl Jam. About being grateful for the person beside you while you still have them.
Faithfully by Journey
Songbird by Fleetwood Mac. Christine McVie’s quiet piano love song.
Mama, I’m Coming Home by Ozzy Osbourne. Despite the title, it’s a love song to his wife Sharon.
Never Tear Us Apart by INXS
Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones
Iris by Goo Goo Dolls

Rock Songs for a Friend

With a friend the right songs are often the ones you shared. The song you sang on a road trip or the one you both ruined at karaoke.

For a Dancer by Jackson Browne. Written after the death of a friend. One of the gentlest songs about loss there is.
Brokedown Palace by Grateful Dead. A soft, simple goodbye.
Ripple by Grateful Dead
I’ll Stand by You by The Pretenders. About being there for someone no matter what.
Melissa by The Allman Brothers Band. Gregg Allman sang it at his brother Duane’s funeral.
Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd. The band’s tribute to their founding member Syd Barrett. Long, so you might use just part of it.
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan
With a Little Help from My Friends by The Beatles, or the Joe Cocker version

Rock Songs for Someone Who Died Young

When someone dies young it’s always awful. These songs don’t try to make it make sense.

Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen
Gone Away by The Offspring. Raw and angry about losing someone close.
Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. About a dying man remembering his father. A good fit for someone who loved this band.
Live Forever by Oasis
Everybody Hurts by R.E.M. A gentle reminder to the people left behind to hold on.
Somewhere Only We Know by Keane
Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
Forever Young by Rod Stewart
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day. Despite the title, it’s a fond look back at good times.

Classic Rock Funeral Songs

For someone who grew up on the radio in the 60s and 70s these are the songs that were the soundtrack to their life. Not all of them are about death but they all carry a feeling of looking back.

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Have You Ever Seen the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Old Man by Neil Young. A young man seeing his own life in an older one. Nice for a grandfather.
Long May You Run by Neil Young. He wrote it about an old car he loved, but it works as a fond farewell to a person too.
Imagine by John Lennon. A good choice for a non-religious service.
Desperado by Eagles
Peaceful Easy Feeling by Eagles
Turn the Page by Bob Seger
Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas. About finding peace at the end of a long road.
Candle in the Wind by Elton John. Written about Marilyn Monroe and later rewritten for Princess Diana’s funeral.
Purple Rain by Prince
Heroes by David Bowie

Hopeful and Spiritual Rock Songs

If they were someone with faith or if you just want something that looks toward what comes next these rock songs are about hope. Some churches are happy to allow them but it’s worth asking first. Our list of Christian funeral songs has more traditional choices.

Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum. A happy, stomping song about going to heaven when you die.
Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds. The words come almost entirely from the Book of Ecclesiastes: a time to be born, a time to die.
My Sweet Lord by George Harrison
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For by U2
Lightning Crashes by Live. A birth and a death in the same hospital, and life carrying on.
Like a Stone by Audioslave. About waiting to be with the people you love again.
Shine by Collective Soul
Higher by Creed
Learning to Fly by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Power Ballads and 80s Rock

For the person who had big hair!. A power ballad can be surprisingly moving at a funeral.

November Rain by Guns N’ Roses
Home Sweet Home by Mötley Crüe. About finally going home.
Never Say Goodbye by Bon Jovi. Looking back on growing up together.
Dream On by Aerosmith
Don’t Cry by Guns N’ Roses
Faithfully by Journey
Photograph by Nickelback. Nostalgic and a good fit for a slideshow.
If Today Was Your Last Day by Nickelback. About living every day fully.

Hard Rock and Metal Songs

For some people they liked their rock hard and a gentle piano song might feel all wrong. These are loud or heavy but still respectful.

Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
So Far Away by Avenged Sevenfold. Recorded after their drummer The Rev died and widely taken as a tribute to him.
Back in Black by AC/DC. The band’s tribute to their singer Bon Scott after he died. Loud and proud.
Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult. About love lasting past death.
Mama, I’m Coming Home by Ozzy Osbourne
Like a Stone by Audioslave
The Show Must Go On by Queen. Released weeks before Freddie Mercury died. A brave, defiant song.
Dream On by Aerosmith

Southern Rock and Biker Funeral Songs

For someone who lived for the open road a long ride or a summer festival. These also work well for a motorcycle procession or a ride out.

Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Tuesday’s Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd. A slow, sad song about someone moving on.
The Ballad of Curtis Loew by Lynyrd Skynyrd. About an old blues guitar player and the kid who loved him. Lovely for a grandpa.
Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Ramblin’ Man by The Allman Brothers Band
Midnight Rider by The Allman Brothers Band
Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf
Against the Wind by Bob Seger
Turn the Page by Bob Seger

Rock Songs for a Veteran or First Responder

For someone who served these songs honor that service and the people they served beside. You may also find something useful in our funeral poems for a veteran.

Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits. Quiet and haunting, about soldiers and the bonds between them.
Into the Fire by Bruce Springsteen. Written after 9/11 about the firefighters who went up the stairs. Fitting for a firefighter or first responder.
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan. Originally written for a film scene about a dying lawman.
Have You Ever Seen the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Instrumental Rock and Guitar Songs

Sometimes words are too much. An instrumental can fill the room while people arrive, during a slideshow or in a moment of quiet. These are also handy if the church doesn’t allow secular lyrics.

Albatross by Fleetwood Mac. Calm and dreamy, written by Peter Green.
Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile) by Santana. A slow, crying guitar.
Samba Pa Ti by Santana
Little Wing by Stevie Ray Vaughan. His instrumental version of the Jimi Hendrix song.
Riviera Paradise by Stevie Ray Vaughan. Soft and late-night.
Lenny by Stevie Ray Vaughan
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed by The Allman Brothers Band. Named after a headstone in a Georgia cemetery.
Jessica by The Allman Brothers Band. Upbeat, for the end of the service.
Sleep Walk by Santo & Johnny. A gentle steel guitar song from 1959.
Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson. Bright and joyful, for a guitar lover.
Orion by Metallica. Long and moody, from Master of Puppets.

Upbeat Rock Songs for a Celebration of Life

If they were the loudest one at the party, give them a loud goodbye. These work well to close the service, at the reception or as everyone heads out. For more see our songs for a celebration of life.

Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
We Are the Champions by Queen
Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty
Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty
Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seger
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen
Take It Easy by Eagles
Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses
Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day

Rock Songs for Someone with a Dark Sense of Humor

Some people would have loved the idea of leaving their own funeral to a song like these. Only use one if you’re sure the family is on board and it usually works best as the final song when people are ready to smile.

Highway to Hell by AC/DC
Hells Bells by AC/DC
Another One Bites the Dust by Queen
Bat Out of Hell by Meat Loaf
The Final Countdown by Europe
Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum

Tips for Choosing Rock Funeral Songs

A few things that can make the choice a bit easier.

Start with their favorites. Look at their playlists, their record shelf or the band t shirts they had in their closet. A song they loved will mean more than the “right” funeral song.
Listen to the whole thing. Rock lyrics can be a bit much. A verse halfway through might be about drugs, a breakup or something you wouldn’t want playing at a funeral.
Check the length. Quite a few rock classics are seven or eight minutes long. Ask the funeral home if they can fade a song out or use the radio edit.
Think about volume. A heavy song can sound harsh on a small chapel speaker. Ask to test it in the room or pick an acoustic or live version.
Match the song to the moment. Slow songs suit the start of the service and moments of reflection. Save the loud, happy ones for the end or the reception.
Check with the church or venue. Some churches only allow religious music during the service. If so then play the rock songs at the graveside, during the slideshow or at the gathering afterward.
Consider live music. If a friend plays guitar an acoustic version of a favorite song can be the most moving part of the day.
Two or three songs is enough. One as people arrive, one in the middle and one to close is a common pattern.
Print the titles in the program. People often want to look the songs up later. Our funeral program wording examples show how to lay that out.