Music for non-religious funerals
When planning a funeral, it can be a difficult decision to choose the perfect song to pay respect to our loved ones. When it comes to funeral music, our choices are a unique opportunity to showcase the personality and musical tastes of the deceased. For many of us, music is a major part of our lives, so it is only fitting that our favourite songs should be present at our funerals.
As a funeral is normally a religious process, funeral music is also traditionally religious. However, non-religious funerals are becoming more popular, and so the music chosen for these processions is also non-religious. But what kind of music is played at a non-religious funeral? Check out our list of fitting music for a non-religious funeral.
- Nat King Cole – Unforgettable
- Frank Sinatra – My Way
- Elton John – Candle in the Wind
- Eva Cassidy – Over the Rainbow
- The Beatles – Let it Be
- Claude Debussy – Claire De Lune
- Barber – Adagio for Strings
- Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending
- Elgar – Nimrod
- Mahler – Adagietto
- Miles Davis – Blue In Green
- Fleetwood Mac – Albatross
- Brian Eno – An Ending (Ascent)
- John Martyn – Small Hours
- Pat Metheny – Last Train Home
The most played pop songs for non-religious funerals
Nat King Cole – Unforgettable
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“Unforgettable
Unforgettable
That’s what you are
Unforgettable
Tho’ near or far.
Like a song of love
That clings to me
How the thought of you
Does things to me
Never before
Has someone been more
Unforgettable
In every way
And forever more
That’s how you’ll stay.
That’s why, darling
It’s incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am
Unforgettable, too.
Unforgettable
In every way
And forever more
That’s how you’ll stay.
That’s why, darling
It’s incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am
Unforgettable, too”.
Music from the 50s is famous for its ballads, and Nat King Cole may just be the “King” of them all. “Unforgettable” is a classic Nat King Cole ballad – slow, melancholic, and beautifully orchestrated in a mix of 50s Jazz and big band instrumentation. The song’s meaning is clear – it is concerned with remembrance, and a promise not to forget our loved ones. Is there a better message fit for a final goodbye? If you’re looking for a classy song to say goodbye to mum, and dad, then this would be a fine pick.
“Unforgettable
In every way
And forever more
That’s how you’ll stay.”
Frank Sinatra – My Way
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Frank Sinatra’s music is a popular selection for men’s funerals, so if you’re looking for funeral music for dad, or for your grandfather, then consider some of Sinatra’s other hits. This includes: “We’ll Be Together Again”, “I’m Walking Behind You”, and “I Could Have Danced All Night”.
And now the end is here
And so I face that final curtain
My friend I’ll make it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more
I did it, I did it my way
Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again too few to mention
I did what I had to do
I saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much, much more
I did it, I did it my way
Yes, there were times I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself then he has naught
Not to say the things that he truly feels
And not the words of someone who kneels
Let the record shows I took all the blows and did it my way
Frank Sinatra’s version of “My Way” is the U.K’s top choice for non-religious funeral music a recent survey showed that 1 in 25 funerals opt for Sinatra’s “My Way”. The song is an anthem about living life on your terms, in other words, living the life you wanted to live, and facing up to life’s ups and downs. Although the song starts with the rather sorrowful line ‘and now, the end is near, and I face the final curtain,’ and as the verses go on the lyrics become more and more triumphant – it is because of this that the song has become such a popular choice for funerals. In reality, the song is a celebration of life, and it is a good choice for those wanting to celebrate their loved ones.
“I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside
I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way
Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way”
Elton John – Candle in the Wind
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Goodbye, Norma Jeane
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
They crawled out of the woodwork
And they whispered into your brain
They set you on the treadmill
And they made you change your name
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would’ve liked to know you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
Loneliness was tough
The toughest role you ever played
Hollywood created a superstar
And pain was the price you paid
Even when you died
Oh, the press still hounded you
All the papers had to say
Was that Marilyn was found in the nude
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would’ve liked to know you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
Goodbye, Norma Jeane
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
Goodbye, Norma Jeane
From the young man in the twenty second row
Who sees you as something more than sexual
More than just our Marilyn Monroe
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would’ve liked to know you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
Elton John has many songs that are popular choices for funerals, after all he is loved for his ability to write ballads. Among his repertoire is “Your Song”, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, and “Sacrifice”, and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” – but it is “Candle In The Wind” which is most often picked for funerals. The song may not have been so closely tied to funerals if it wasn’t for the death of Princess Diana, but after playing it live at the televised funeral for millions of viewers, the song has forever been associated with goodbyes. Elton John’s 1997 version recorded for Diana’s funeral is the more popular pick – the song is full of sorrow and sincere sadness. It is a fitting song for saying goodbye to our loved ones.
“Goodbye England’s rose
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the grace that placed itself
Where lives were torn apart”
Eva Cassidy – Over the Rainbow
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Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
In the land that I heard of once
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really come true
If happy little birds fly above the sky
Oh why can’t I?
“Over the Rainbow” was a song originally written for the film The Wizard of Oz. The film went on to become one of the most beloved films ever, and the song “Over the Rainbow”, sung by a young Judy Garland, has become timeless. However, it is Eva Cassidy’s version that is most often picked to be played at funerals. Sorrowful, and perhaps a little more melancholic than the film version, Eva Cassidy’s version is beautiful. It is the song’s lyrics that make it such a great pick for a funeral – many people have interpreted “Over the Rainbow” to be a song about the afterlife, the life waiting for us out of sight, and “over the rainbow.”
“Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true”
The Beatles – Let it Be
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When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
A-let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
And when the broken-hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer
Let it be
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
A-let it be, let it be
Yeah, there will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
A-let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
A-let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow
Let it be
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be-e
Yeah, let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
Oh, there will be an answer
Let it be-e
Let it be, let it be
A-let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
One of the Beatles’ most famous songs, “Let it Be” is also the most popular choice when it comes to playing music by the Beatles at a funeral. Let it Be is the closest the Beatles’ got to writing a song in the Gospel genre: with organs and haunting backing vocals, this song will be at home in a church, and will set an appropriate mood for the procession. Paul wrote the song after talking to his deceased mother in a dream – the lyrics talk about heaven’s light and being watched over by our loved ones. If there was ever a Beatles song to be played at a funeral, then this is it.
“And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be”
Classical music for non-religious funerals
Claude Debussy – Claire De Lune
Classical music is a popular choice for funeral music because they often invoke a sense of calm, creating a suitable atmosphere for the procession. People also like music without lyrics – sometimes we can never find the right words to mourn the passing of our loved ones, so music without lyrics seems more fitting.
Claude Debussy’s Clair De Lune is a beautiful solo piano piece full of emotion – contemplative and serene, this would be a fine pick for a funeral, and a beautiful soundtrack to say your goodbyes.
I kept a ribbon from your hair
A breath of perfume lingers there
It helps to cheer me when I’m blue
Anything that’s part of you
Barber – Adagio for Strings
If you’re looking for a really melancholic piece of music to set the atmosphere for the procession, then Barber’s Adagio for Strings might be the music for you. Steeped in swelling melodies played in the string section, this piece is famous for soundtracking emotional climaxes in films, and in real life too. This is one of the most popular choices for music at a non-religious funeral. It is an epic piece of music, which builds from gentle beginnings and builds and transforms into its emotional peak.
Elgar – Nimrod
Elgar’s Nimrod is a beautiful piece of music that is often used to soundtrack emotional events, including funerals. This wonderful piece of music was written by Elgar as a tribute to his family members, which makes it a perfect pick for remembering our own loved ones.
Similar to Barber’s Adagio for Strings, ‘Nimrod’ is a very emotional piece, and this is achieved through long phrases of swelling string melodies, building slowly to an emotional climax. Elgar’s music would make a great pick for music at a non-religious funeral.
Mahler – Adagietto
If you’re looking for a piece of music that is a little more subtle and something in a more contemplative mood, then you should consider choosing Mahler’s Adagietto. Both Elgar and Barber’s works are very emotional pieces of music, some might say too emotional. Not every funeral needs to be soundtracked by very sad music, and some people might want to choose a piece of music that is more thought-provoking, contemplative and serene. After all, many funerals want to project a sense of calmness. For this reason, Mahler’s Adagietto is a great choice for funeral music at a non-religious funeral.
Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending
Where the previous classical pieces mentioned in this article have been melancholic, Vaughan William’s “The Lark Ascending” sounds more hopeful. Brighter, with open and singing violin melodies written to sound like birdsong, this music paints a picture of a beautiful English landscape as the sun sets on a long day. If you’re wanting to paint a more optimistic and hopeful picture, then you should consider choosing The Lark Ascending to play at your loved ones’ funeral.
Non-classical, Instrumental music for non-religious funerals
Miles Davis – Blue In Green
Classical music can sometimes feel too grand to be played at a funeral – sometimes people want to hear something more intimate and contemplative, something a little quieter and minimal. Miles Davis’ album Kind of Blue is full of beautiful, intimate, and melancholic songs that would be suitable for a funeral. Can you play Jazz music at a funeral? Of course you can, and the track Blue in Green would be a fine pick. If you like the sound of this track, you should listen to the whole Kind of Blue, many of the tracks on the album would work well as funeral music.
Fleetwood Mac – Albatross
Fleetwood Mac’s Albatross is just about as calming as a piece of music could ever hope to achieve. Inspired by an Albatross cruising across the Atlantic, this piece of music is serene and thought-provoking. If you’re wanting to create a more contemplative and calming atmosphere at the funeral, then you should consider picking Fleetwood Mac’s Albatross.
Brian Eno – An Ending (Ascent)
If your loved one was more into the experimental music coming out of the 60s and 70s, then there is a good chance they were a fan of Brian Eno. This piece of music was written to reflect the feelings of passing over to the next life, and Brian Eno paired this with the image of ascending up to space (in a space-obsessed 1970s.) The music is relaxing, filled with lush synthesizers, and would be a great pick for a funeral. In many ways, this music resembles traditional choral music, except the choir has been replaced with synthesizers. For this reason, it would be fitting music for a non-religious funeral.
John Martyn – Small Hours
Another pick from music of the 1970s era, this John Martyn track is a beautiful piece of music. Minimal and thoughtful, this track is primarily reverb-laden electric guitar with subtle electronic instrumentation. It is a very quiet track, ideal for a funeral procession. This track would be another ideal pick for someone who isn’t wanting to choose music that is too sad but is wanting to be more contemplative and relaxing. For this reason, John Martyn’s Small Hours would be a good pick to play at a non-religious funeral.
Pat Metheny – Last Train Home
Pat Metheny is one of the world’s most famous Jazz guitarists, and in his career, he has written some beautiful pieces of music suitable for funerals. We think that his song ‘Last Train Home’ is ideal for someone wanting to choose a more optimistic piece of music to soundtrack their goodbyes. More upbeat than the other songs on this list, the piece of music is very hopeful, and yet still tinged with a little note of melancholy. For this reason, it’s a great choice for music to be player at a non-religious funeral.