Sad Funeral Songs: 130+ Songs That Say Goodbye

Sometimes a funeral needs to be sad. The person you’ve lost meant too much for a cheerful or upbeat song to feel right.

A sad song means everyone can feel like it’s ok to cry. It reflects what everyone is thinking but struggle to say. And years later when you hear it on the radio or somewhere else it can bring that person right back to you.

So we have over 130 sad funeral songs. They’re split by who you’re saying goodbye to then by style, from old standards and country to rock, modern pop and hymns. Many have a few words about them so you know what if the song is right for you before you choose it.

There are also tips at the end on how to use sad songs in a service without it all becoming too much. If you’d like a bigger choice our main list of funeral songs has more options too.

Table of Contents

The Most Popular Sad Funeral Songs

These are the sad songs you’ll hear at many funerals. They’re a good starting point if you need a genuinely sad song.

Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton. Written after the death of his young son. Quiet and asks the question so many of us ask.
Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. The Jeff Buckley version is the one most people know.
Angel by Sarah McLachlan. Soft piano and a voice that feels like a hand on your shoulder.
Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel. About being there for someone when everything falls apart.
Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler. A thank you to someone who carried you.
I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston. Dolly Parton wrote it and her version is tye quieter and more gentle one.
Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill. One of the most played country songs at funerals.
Time to Say Goodbye (Con te partirò) by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan
Danny Boy. Sung to an old Irish tune with many versions to choose from. It’s very hard to get through without tears.
My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion. About love that carries on after someone is gone.
Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran. Written about his grandmother’s death and about clearing out a hospital room afterward.

Sad Funeral Songs for Mom

Songs about mothers are some of the most emotional. Choose the one that sounds like how she loved you. There are more ideas, including some lighter ones, in our funeral songs for mom.

Mama Liked the Roses by Elvis Presley
A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men
Mama by Spice Girls. A simple thank you for everything she did.
Slipping Through My Fingers by ABBA. Sung from a mother’s side about how fast the years with her child went.
The Best Day by Taylor Swift. Written for her mom looking back on childhood days together.
In My Daughter’s Eyes by Martina McBride
Angel by Sarah McLachlan
Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd. A mother’s advice to her son. Fitting for a mom who kept everyone grounded.
Jealous of the Angels by Jenn Bostic

Sad Funeral Songs for Dad

A lot of the most moving songs about fathers are written by children who lost theirs. Our funeral songs for dad have more choices.

Dance with My Father by Luther Vandross. About wishing for one more dance with his dad. Few dry eyes after this one.
The Living Years by Mike + The Mechanics. About the things left unsaid between a father and son.
Cat’s in the Cradle by Harry Chapin
Daddy’s Hands by Holly Dunn
My Father’s Eyes by Eric Clapton
Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day. Billie Joe Armstrong has said it’s about losing his father as a boy.
Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own by U2. Bono wrote it around the time his father was dying.
I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe. Bart Millard wrote it after his dad died. For a father with faith.
Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle. For a daddy’s girl.
Jealous of the Angels by Jenn Bostic
My Old Man by Zac Brown Band
Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan

Sad Songs for a Husband or Wife

Your wedding song might be too painful right now. Or it might be the only one that feels right. These are love songs that work for the grief you’re feeling.

Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers
I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones. Often called the saddest country song ever written.
If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks. About whether the person you love knows how much you loved them.
The Dance by Garth Brooks. Grateful for the time you had, even knowing how it would end.
Make You Feel My Love by Adele. Written by Bob Dylan, who recorded it first.
Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
Your Song by Elton John
Like I’m Gonna Lose You by Meghan Trainor featuring John Legend
I Will Follow You into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie. A quiet promise to stay together, whatever comes.
Visiting Hours by Ed Sheeran. Written after the death of his friend and mentor Michael Gudinski, but it suits anyone you’d give anything to see again.
Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinéad O’Connor
Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman

Sad Songs for a Friend

Friends become family over the years. A song from your shared past, even one that wasn’t sad at the time, can be the most moving choice.

I’ll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112. Made as a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G.
See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth. A tribute to actor Paul Walker about a friend you’ll meet again.
Fire and Rain by James Taylor. Partly about the death of a friend.
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Gone Too Soon by Michael Jackson
One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men
Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel
My Old Friend by Tim McGraw
Forever Young by Alphaville
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day
It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday by Boyz II Men

Sad Funeral Songs for a Child

There are no right words when a child dies and there isn’t a perfect song either. Many parents choose a lullaby or a song from their child’s favorite film.

Who You’d Be Today by Kenny Chesney. About wondering who someone would have grown into.
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) by Billy Joel. Written for his daughter. A promise that love goes on.
Gone Too Soon by Michael Jackson
Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) by John Lennon
Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland, or the Israel Kamakawiwo’ole ukulele version
You Are My Sunshine. Many versions. A soft, slow one works best.
Dancing in the Sky by Dani and Lizzy. Asks what heaven is like for the one who’s gone.
To Where You Are by Josh Groban
Angels Among Us by Alabama
Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle

Sad Songs for a Grandparent

Older songs can bring back memories of your grandpa or grandma. Older guests will often know every word.

We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn. A wartime song about meeting again “some sunny day.”
I’ll Be Seeing You by Billie Holiday, or the Frank Sinatra version
Smile by Nat King Cole
Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
Moon River by Andy Williams
Danny Boy. A favorite for anyone with Irish roots.
Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran
The Old Rugged Cross. A hymn many grandparents grew up singing.
Daddy’s Hands by Holly Dunn. Just as lovely for a grandpa.
Holes in the Floor of Heaven by Steve Wariner. Starts with the death of a grandmother and the idea that she’s still watching.
You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers. First sung in the musical Carousel, just after a death.

Sad Songs for a Sudden or Tragic Loss

When a death comes out of nowhere you can feel lost. These songs don’t try to make it better.

Everybody Hurts by R.E.M.
Fix You by Coldplay
Mad World by Gary Jules
Say Something by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera
Hurt by Johnny Cash. Originally a Nine Inch Nails song. Cash recorded it near the end of his own life.
Over You by Miranda Lambert. Written with Blake Shelton about the death of his older brother.
Who You’d Be Today by Kenny Chesney
Gone Too Soon by Michael Jackson
Candle in the Wind 1997 by Elton John. The version he rewrote for Princess Diana.
I Drive Your Truck by Lee Brice. About a sibling who keeps their brother close by driving his old truck.
The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel

Classic Sad Songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s

These older songs have been played at funerals for decades. They’re familiar which makes them easy for a mixed crowd.

Yesterday by The Beatles
Let It Be by The Beatles. About finding comfort in a hard time.
The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel
Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers
Crying by Roy Orbison
Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks. Sung by someone saying goodbye to the people they love.
Abraham, Martin and John by Dion. Remembers lives cut short.
Vincent by Don McLean
Without You by Harry Nilsson
Dust in the Wind by Kansas. About how short life is.
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. About change and getting older.
Fire and Rain by James Taylor
Autumn Leaves by Nat King Cole

Sad Country Funeral Songs

Country music has always been honest about death. A lot of these were written after real losses.

Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill. He started it after Keith Whitley died and finished it after losing his own brother.
He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones
Who You’d Be Today by Kenny Chesney
If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks
The Dance by Garth Brooks
Holes in the Floor of Heaven by Steve Wariner
Over You by Miranda Lambert
Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan
I Drive Your Truck by Lee Brice
Believe by Brooks and Dunn. An old neighbor’s quiet faith, remembered after he’s gone.
Riding with Private Malone by David Ball. Moving for a veteran.
Three Wooden Crosses by Randy Travis
My Old Friend by Tim McGraw
Angels Among Us by Alabama

Sad Rock Funeral Songs

A slower rock song can feel right for some people and much more so than any ballad.

Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan, or the Guns N’ Roses version
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen
Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
November Rain by Guns N’ Roses
Everybody Hurts by R.E.M.
Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day
Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own by U2
Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
Hurt by Johnny Cash
Dust in the Wind by Kansas

Modern Sad Songs for a Funeral

These newer songs often suit a younger person or anyone who kept up with new music. Some are about breakups rather than death so listen through before you choose.

Photograph by Ed Sheeran. About keeping someone close through a picture.
Fix You by Coldplay
Say Something by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera
See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth
Let Her Go by Passenger
Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi
Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
Somewhere Only We Know by Keane
Angels by Robbie Williams. A big favorite at UK funerals.
Jealous of the Angels by Jenn Bostic
Dancing in the Sky by Dani and Lizzy
Hold On by Chord Overstreet
I Will Follow You into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
Mad World by Gary Jules

Sad Hymns and Christian Songs

Faith doesn’t take the sadness away but these songs do a good job of reflecting the grief and hope we feel. For more choices see our funeral hymns and Christian funeral songs.

Amazing Grace. The hymn most people think of first.
Abide with Me. A slow, prayerful hymn for the end of the day and the end of a life.
Precious Lord, Take My Hand by Thomas A. Dorsey. He wrote it after the deaths of his wife and newborn son. Mahalia Jackson’s version is well loved.
It Is Well with My Soul
How Great Thou Art
The Old Rugged Cross
Nearer, My God, to Thee
Be Still, My Soul
In the Garden
I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe
Held by Natalie Grant. About God holding us when the worst happens.
Blessings by Laura Story
Thy Will by Hillary Scott and The Scott Family
Even If by MercyMe
Ave Maria by Franz Schubert. Often sung by a soloist at Catholic funerals.

Sad Instrumental Pieces

Music without words works well as people arrive, during a moment of silence or behind a slideshow. Sometimes it moves people more than any lyric.

Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber. Probably the best-known sad piece of classical music.
Nimrod from Elgar’s Enigma Variations
Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy
Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven. The slow first movement.
Air on the G String by Johann Sebastian Bach
Gymnopédie No. 1 by Erik Satie
Adagio in G Minor, credited to Albinoni
Pie Jesu from Fauré’s Requiem
Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem
Theme from Schindler’s List by John Williams
Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar
Amazing Grace on the bagpipes

Sad Songs to End a Funeral

The last song plays as the casket leaves or as people stand to go. A sad closer is a final goodbye so choose one you’ll be okay hearing again someday.

Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill
Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan
Danny Boy
See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth
Abide with Me
The Dance by Garth Brooks

SEE MORE: Songs for a Celebration of Life

Tips for Using Sad Songs at a Funeral

Don’t put them all together. Three very sad songs in a row can be hard on everyone. Try a sad song early then something a bit more hopeful later on.
Listen to every word first. Plenty of sad songs are about breakups, cheating or drinking. Play the whole thing before you decide.
Think about who will be there. A song about a lost child might be too much if a family in the room has been through that. It’s worth checking.
Ask about live singers early. If a friend or soloist will sing give them time to practice. Very emotional songs are hard to sing at a funeral so have a recording ready as a backup.
Check with the church or venue. Some churches only allow hymns or sacred music in the service. Save other songs for the graveside, the slideshow or the reception.
Print the song titles in the program. People often want to find them later. Our funeral program wording examples show how to lay that out.
Have tissues handy. It sounds obvious but a few boxes at the end of each row really help.

I’ve always found that the saddest song at a funeral is the one people remember most. It works because it lets them say goodbye properly.

So take your time, listen to a few and trust the one that makes you think of them right away. If the words get stuck in your throat our poems about grief might help put some of it into words too.