Someone has got together the photos for a funeral slideshow, maybe scanned a few old ones from an album and now you need to decide on the music. It sounds easy but then when you get to it you find it’s not quite so simple.
The right song can make a slideshow. It sets the mood before anyone says a word and people remember the music after the service is over.
A slideshow usually needs two or three songs and each one can do a different job: a gentle start, something that fits the middle years and a song to close on.
So this page is split up that way. You’ll find songs for opening and closing, songs about memories and love, ideas for a mom, dad or grandparent, country, religious and instrumental picks, plus a few upbeat ones for a celebration of life. There are some simple tips at the end on timing the photos too.
If you’re choosing music for the service itself our list of funeral songs covers that side of things.
How Many Songs Do You Need?
Most songs run about three to four minutes. If each photo is on screen for five to seven seconds one song covers roughly 30 to 40 photos.
So a rough guide:
- Around 40 photos: one song
- Around 80 photos: two songs
- 100 to 150 photos: three or four songs
For a slideshow that plays on a loop at a visitation or reception you can go longer. If it’s being played once during the service then try to keep it under ten minutes. People will be sitting still and it’s an emotional thing to watch.
Songs to Open the Slideshow
The first song sets the tone. Something familiar works well at this point ideally used over baby and childhood photos.
- In My Life by The Beatles. A gentle look back at people and places, and short enough to open with.
- Photograph by Ed Sheeran. Made for a slideshow, really. It’s all about keeping memories in pictures.
- Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper. Soft and reassuring, with a promise to always be there.
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. Just a ukulele and his voice. It’s calm and hopeful without being too heavy.
- What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. Warm and simple, and nearly everyone knows it.
- The Way We Were by Barbra Streisand. A classic about memories, good for an older loved one.
- Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. Quiet and reflective, about time and change.
- Those Were the Days by Mary Hopkin. Nostalgic and a little bittersweet.
- Yesterday by The Beatles. Short and wistful.
- Memories by Maroon 5. A newer song about raising a glass to the people we miss.
Songs About Memories and Looking Back
These fit the middle of the slideshow when you’re moving through the years. They feel more reflective rather than sad.
- Photograph by Nickelback. A look back through old pictures and old places.
- The Living Years by Mike + The Mechanics. About a father and son and the things left unsaid.
- Forever Young by Rod Stewart. Lovely over photos of someone in their younger days.
- Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen. A good fit for someone who loved telling stories about the old days.
- Keep Me in Your Heart by Warren Zevon. Written near the end of his life and very tender.
- Unforgettable by Nat King Cole. Gentle and timeless.
- Thank You for Being a Friend by Andrew Gold. Lighter, and good for a section of friendship photos.
- The Dance by Garth Brooks. About being glad for the good times, even knowing how things end.
- Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd. Simple and full of missing someone.
- Somewhere Only We Know by Keane. Works well over photos of a favorite place.
Songs About Love and Loss
These are the songs that will make people cry. Use one or two, not an entire slideshow of them, or it can feel very heavy for people watching.
- Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton. Quiet and deeply moving.
- I Will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan. About holding on to memories after someone is gone.
- Angel by Sarah McLachlan. Soft piano and a sense of rest.
- Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley. One of the most requested memorial songs. Leonard Cohen’s original is lovely too.
- Fix You by Coldplay. Starts quiet and builds, so it suits a longer run of photos.
- See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth. About a friend and the hope of meeting again.
- One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men. About people we’ll see again one day.
- To Where You Are by Josh Groban. Gentle and comforting.
- Who Knew by P!nk. About a friendship and how fast things can change.
- My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion. Big and emotional, so better near the end.
- Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel. About being there for someone.
- Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler. A thank you to someone who quietly held everyone up.
Uplifting Songs for a Celebration of Life
If the person was full of fun or the family wants the focus on joy a happier song can be just right. It gets people smiling at photos from parties, holidays and silly moments.
For more ideas along these lines see our songs for a celebration of life.
- Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
- Three Little Birds by Bob Marley and the Wailers
- Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
- Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra
- Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
- Happy by Pharrell Williams
- September by Earth, Wind & Fire
- Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
- Dancing Queen by ABBA
- Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
- Lean on Me by Bill Withers
- Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python. Only if they had that sense of humor.
Songs for a Mom
A song about a mother over photos of her with her children can be very moving. You’ll find a longer list in our funeral songs for mom.
- The Best Day by Taylor Swift. Written for her mom, full of small childhood memories.
- A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men. A simple thank you to a mother.
- Mama Liked the Roses by Elvis Presley. Gentle and old fashioned.
- Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran. Written about his grandmother but loved by many families after losing a mom.
- Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw. A list of a parent’s lessons, lovely over photos of her with the kids.
- You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban. A good closing song for a mom who held everyone together.
Songs for a Dad
Dads often get the quieter songs. There are more ideas in our funeral songs for dad.
- Dance with My Father by Luther Vandross. One of the most loved songs about losing a dad.
- My Father’s Eyes by Eric Clapton. Reflective and personal.
- Daddy’s Hands by Holly Dunn. Lovely over photos of him working, fixing or holding the grandkids.
- He Didn’t Have to Be by Brad Paisley. A good choice for a stepdad.
- Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle. For a dad and his daughter.
- My Way by Frank Sinatra. For a dad who did things his own way and was proud of it.
- Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw. For a dad who loved the outdoors and a bit of adventure.
Songs for a Grandparent
Grandparent slideshows usually cover a long life so a song with a sense of history fits well.
- Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days) by The Judds
- Grandma’s Hands by Bill Withers
- Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran
- Holes in the Floor of Heaven by Steve Wariner
- Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
- The Way We Were by Barbra Streisand
- Stand by Me by Ben E. King
Songs for a Husband or Wife
For a spouse, a song from your wedding or one you danced to in the kitchen is often the best choice of all. If nothing comes to mind these are good places to start.
- Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley
- Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers
- At Last by Etta James
- Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
- Annie’s Song by John Denver
- If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks
- Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson
- Amazed by Lonestar
- I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
Songs for a Friend or Someone Who Died Young
When someone dies young the slideshow is probably going to have pictures of friends, school photos and nights out. These songs fit that feeling.
- See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth
- Who You’d Be Today by Kenny Chesney
- Gone Too Soon by Michael Jackson
- Slipped Away by Avril Lavigne
- Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day
- Count on Me by Bruno Mars
- You’ve Got a Friend by James Taylor
- Forever Young by Alphaville
- Wherever You Will Go by The Calling
- I’ll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112
Country Songs for a Memorial Slideshow
Country music has a lot of songs about loss and faith. They tend to tell a story, which suits a slideshow well.
- Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill
- If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away by Justin Moore
- Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan
- The Dance by Garth Brooks
- Who You’d Be Today by Kenny Chesney
- My Wish by Rascal Flatts
- Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw
- Holes in the Floor of Heaven by Steve Wariner
- Daddy’s Hands by Holly Dunn
- Dancing in the Sky by Dani and Lizzy. Not strictly country, but country fans often love it.
Religious and Christian Songs
If faith was something important to them a hymn or worship song can bring real comfort to the family. Our list of funeral hymns has more traditional choices.
- Amazing Grace, traditional hymn with words by John Newton
- How Great Thou Art, traditional hymn
- It Is Well With My Soul, hymn by Horatio Spafford
- I’ll Fly Away, gospel song by Albert E. Brumley
- Precious Lord, Take My Hand, gospel song by Thomas A. Dorsey
- In the Garden, hymn by C. Austin Miles
- On Eagle’s Wings by Michael Joncas
- I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe
- 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman
- Blessings by Laura Story
- Goodness of God by Bethel Music
- Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill
For a Catholic family you may also like our Catholic funeral songs.
Instrumental Songs
Instrumental music is a good choice if you want people to focus on the photos or if the slideshow will play quietly in the background while people talk. It also avoids lyrics that might not quite fit.
- Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy
- Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel
- Gymnopédie No. 1 by Erik Satie
- Air on the G String by Johann Sebastian Bach
- Ave Maria by Franz Schubert (instrumental versions)
- Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber
- Gabriel’s Oboe by Ennio Morricone
- River Flows in You by Yiruma
- Nuvole Bianche by Ludovico Einaudi
- Experience by Ludovico Einaudi
- Comptine d’un autre été by Yann Tiersen
- Time by Hans Zimmer
Songs to End the Slideshow
The last song is the one people take which them out of the room and home. Pick something that feels like a goodbye, or something hopeful, and save your favorite photo for the final few seconds.
- Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
- Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley or Leonard Cohen
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
- Into the West by Annie Lennox
- The Parting Glass, traditional Irish song
- Danny Boy, traditional Irish tune with words by Frederic Weatherly
- Let It Be by The Beatles
- You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
- See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth
- My Way by Frank Sinatra
Tips for Putting the Slideshow Together
A few things that make the job easier and the slideshow nicer to watch.
- Start with their music. A song they sang along to in the car or played every Christmas is going to be a better choice than something off of a list. Ask the family what they remember.
- Match songs to stages of life. A song for childhood, something warmer for the middle years and a closing song for later life gives the slideshow a more natural flow to it.
- Listen to all the lyrics. Some songs that sound right have a verse that doesn’t fit, like a breakup line or something about a car crash. Play every song all the way through before you choose.
- Time the photos to the music. Five to seven seconds a photo is comfortable to watch. Give group photos a little longer so people can find themselves.
- Use simple transitions. A plain fade between photos looks calm and suits the mood. Spinning or flashy effects can feel wrong and out of place.
- Put a favorite photo at the end. Let the last picture stay on screen as the song finishes.
- Check the setup early. Ask the funeral home or venue what format they need and test the file on their screen before the day if you can.
- Think about sharing it online. If you plan to post the slideshow on YouTube or Facebook, copyrighted songs may get muted or blocked. Instrumental or royalty free music can be a safer choice for the online version.
- Keep a backup. Bring a copy on a USB stick and keep one on your phone too.
If there’s a spoken tribute alongside the slideshow our guide on how to write a eulogy may help whoever is speaking.
If a song makes you think of them that’s reason enough to use it, even if it isn’t on any list.