What song should not be played at a funeral?

Avoid songs with overtly celebratory, disrespectful, or ironic lyrics like Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," Pharrell's "Happy," or Green Day's "Ha Ha You're Dead" at funerals, as they clash with the solemnity of mourning; instead, focus on themes of love, peace, and remembrance, or songs the deceased genuinely loved, but steer clear of anything too upbeat or that trivializes death, such as "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" or "Stayin' Alive".


What song should you never play at a funeral?

Avoid songs that are celebratory, flippant about death, overtly sexual or explicit, vengeful, or culturally/religiously disrespectful--unless there's a clear, documented reason the deceased wanted that tone. Respect for the mourners and the ritual's purpose should guide selection.

What is considered disrespectful at a funeral?

During a funeral, maintaining a respectful atmosphere is of utmost importance. As such, using a cell phone to text or keeping sounds on is considered rude and disruptive. These actions can break the solemn atmosphere of the service — potentially interrupting poignant moments of reflection or eulogies.


What is the number one song played at funerals?

There isn't one single "number 1" funeral song, but Frank Sinatra's "My Way" is consistently cited as the most popular classic for its message of a life lived fully, while newer hits like Ed Sheeran's "Supermarket Flowers" or spirituals like "Amazing Grace" are also extremely common, often depending on the person's faith and personality. Other top choices often include Robbie Williams' "Angels," Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings," and Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli's "Time to Say Goodbye". 

What is the most inappropriate song to play at a funeral?

  • "Highway To Hell" (1979)
  • "Runnin' With The Devil" (1978)
  • "Forget You" (2010)
  • "Down With The Sickness" (2000)
  • "Bye Bye Bye" (2000)
  • "Happy" (2013)
  • "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" (1969)
  • "Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead" (1939)


Songs you shouldn't play at a funeral



What to avoid at a funeral?

At a funeral, avoid being late, dressing inappropriately (too flashy/casual), using your phone (texting, calls, social media), taking photos/videos without permission, gossiping, asking intrusive questions (how they died), making light of the situation, bringing uninvited food/drinks, or monopolizing family time. The key is to show respect for the deceased and support the grieving family by being somber, quiet, and focused on remembrance.
 

What is the saddest song to play at a funeral?

The "saddest" funeral song is subjective, but popular choices reflecting deep loss include Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven," Johnny Cash's "Hurt," Adele's "Someone Like You," Ed Sheeran's "Supermarket Flowers," and Sinéad O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U," with others like "Dance with My Father" (Luther Vandross) or "Wrecked" (Imagine Dragons) also bringing intense sorrow by focusing on personal, heartbreaking grief. 

What is the most beautiful funeral song?

Unforgettable - Most Beautiful Funeral Songs
  • Wind Beneath My Wings. Heavenly Sisters.
  • Over the Rainbow. Heavenly Sisters.
  • What a Wonderful World. Heavenly Sisters.
  • My Way. Heavenly Sisters.
  • My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from Titanic) Heavenly Sisters.
  • Time to Say Goodbye. Heavenly Sisters.
  • Unchained Melody. ...
  • You Raise Me Up.


What is a good goodbye song for a funeral?

Good goodbye songs for a funeral vary from poignant and sad to uplifting, with popular choices including "Tears in Heaven" (Eric Clapton), "Supermarket Flowers" (Ed Sheeran), "My Way" (Frank Sinatra), "Time to Say Goodbye" (Bocelli/Brightman), "What a Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong), and "See You Again" (Wiz Khalifa). The best choice depends on the person's personality and the desired tone, whether it's comforting, reflective, or celebratory. 

What is the best song to say goodbye?

Our top 10 sad songs about moving away
  • “A Bad Goodbye” – Clint Black and Wynonna Judd.
  • “I Try” – Macy Gray.
  • “Don't You (Forget About Me)” – Simple Minds.
  • “Wherever You Will Go” – The Calling.
  • “Please Don't Go Girl” – NKOTB.
  • “I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston (Also check out the original by Dolly Parton)


What funeral directors don't want you to know?

Funeral directors don't want you to know you have significant choices to save money and control the service, such as buying caskets from other retailers, handling arrangements yourself (like using your home for services), and that embalming isn't always legally required, especially for cremation or quick burials, and refrigeration can be used instead. Key secrets include that funeral homes are businesses, you don't need package deals, sealed caskets don't truly preserve bodies, and you can request specific services like a rental casket insert for viewings.
 


What are the 3 C's of death?

The Three C's are the primary worries children have when someone dies: Cause, Contagion, and Care. These concerns reflect how children understand death at different developmental stages.

What colors not to wear to a funeral?

You should avoid bright, flashy, or attention-grabbing colors like red, orange, bright pink, yellow, and neon shades, as well as overly casual hues like bright whites or metallics (gold/silver) at most funerals, to show respect and keep the focus on the deceased, though dark, muted colors (black, navy, gray, burgundy) are generally acceptable. Always check if the family requested a specific color theme, as this overrides general guidelines.
 

What is the #1 saddest song?

There's no single #1 saddest song, as it's subjective, but Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" (originally Nine Inch Nails) and Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" are consistently cited due to their profound themes of loss and mortality, often topping lists alongside songs like R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" and Adele's "Someone Like You," which resonate deeply with audiences through personal experiences and raw emotion. 


What is the song most people want played at their funeral?

There's no single "most popular" funeral song, as it varies by region and generation, but Frank Sinatra's "My Way," Eva Cassidy's "Over the Rainbow," and Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman's "Time to Say Goodbye" are consistently top contenders, alongside spirituals like "Amazing Grace" and contemporary hits like Ed Sheeran's "Supermarket Flowers," reflecting personalized tributes. 

Is stairway to heaven appropriate for a funeral?

The most popular funeral songs for a perfect send-off

Where once it was Debussy's 'Clair de Lune' that sent the funeral congregation reaching for their handkerchiefs, today it's more likely to be modern funeral songs like Robbie Williams' 'Angels', or Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven'.

What is the number one requested funeral song?

There's no single "most popular" funeral song, as it varies by region and generation, but Frank Sinatra's "My Way," Eva Cassidy's "Over the Rainbow," and Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman's "Time to Say Goodbye" are consistently top contenders, alongside spirituals like "Amazing Grace" and contemporary hits like Ed Sheeran's "Supermarket Flowers," reflecting personalized tributes. 


What is the most comforting song of all time?

Top 25 Songs that Bring Us Comfort
  • “What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong.
  • “Over the Rainbow” – Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.
  • “Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin.
  • “Moon River” – Andy Williams.
  • “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Simon & Garfunkel.
  • “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Judy Garland.


What is the uplifting funeral exit song?

Certain songs have stood the test of time, becoming evergreen choices for funerals. These include "Amazing Grace", "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion, and "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Gerry and the Pacemakers.

What is a good song to remember someone who passed away?

Songs about remembering someone who died often focus on grief, love, and hope, with popular choices including "Tears in Heaven" (Eric Clapton), "Supermarket Flowers" (Ed Sheeran), "See You Again" (Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth), "Wake Me Up When September Ends" (Green Day), and "Angel" (Sarah McLachlan). Other common themes explore missing them, imagining them in the afterlife, or celebrating their life, with artists like Taylor Swift, Pink, Elton John, and country stars like Kenny Chesney also offering powerful tributes. 


What song is played at every funeral?

"Hallelujah" by Bon Jovi. This rendition of “Hallelujah” is a beautiful modernised version of the Leonard Cohen original. “Halle” refers to praise joyously and “Yah” a shortened name for God. With correlations to love and loss this song is universally played during times of celebration, mourning and reconciliation.

What are the 10 most popular songs played at funerals?

Popular funeral songs often blend traditional hymns, classic tributes, and modern heartfelt ballads, with top choices including "Amazing Grace," "Tears in Heaven," "Wind Beneath My Wings," "Supermarket Flowers," "My Way," "You Raise Me Up," "What a Wonderful World," "Angels," "I'll Be Missing You," and "Over the Rainbow," offering comfort, reflection, and celebration of life. 

What is a bad song to play at a funeral?

Avoid songs with overtly celebratory, disrespectful, or ironic lyrics like Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," Pharrell's "Happy," or Green Day's "Ha Ha You're Dead" at funerals, as they clash with the solemnity of mourning; instead, focus on themes of love, peace, and remembrance, or songs the deceased genuinely loved, but steer clear of anything too upbeat or that trivializes death, such as "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" or "Stayin' Alive". 


What not to do when grieving?

Do not try to self-medicate your emotional pain away. Trying to dull the pain you're feeling with alcohol or drug use is a losing proposition. The “grieving process” is described as a process for a reason; it requires certain courses of action to achieve a result.

What is the most heart wrenching song?

There's no single "most heartbreaking song," as it's subjective, but popular contenders often cited include Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" (due to real tragedy), Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U," Taylor Swift's "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)," and classics like Joni Mitchell's "River," while modern picks include Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" and Lewis Capaldi's "Someone You Loved," all tapping into themes of loss, grief, and profound sadness.