35 Best Funeral Songs For Dad

Finding the best funeral songs for Dad can be a bittersweet experience for anyone suffering through the reality of losing their father.

It’s hard to think about someone you love so much being gone forever, but finding the right songs to honor him at the funeral will help his memory live on.

“The Dance” by Garth Brooks

Song Year: 1989

Garth Brooks is known for his epic storytelling through music, especially when it comes to heartbreaking subjects like loss and grief. “The Dance” is a classic about how the sorrows of life often exist alongside the best memories.

Playing “The Dance” at your father’s funeral could help you grieve the loss of your father while also remembering all the good times you shared. Because, as Brooks points out, you likely wouldn’t change it for anything.

“I’m Already There” by Lonestar

Song Year: 2001

“I’m Already There” is a sweet country song about a man on the road all the time, probably for work and desperately missing his family.

He calls them constantly to remind them that he loves them and is right there with them in their minds and hearts.

It’s a fantastic reminder for anyone who has lost their father that he’ll always be with them.

Here are a few comforting songs to check out about losing your dad.

“Long Ride Home” by Patty Griffin

Song Year: 2002

Sometimes you don’t know what to do with your grief. Losing a father is a traumatic experience for most people, and processing those emotions can be extremely difficult.

Patty Griffin does an excellent job of explaining just how hard it can be to wrap your head around such a loss. She reminds her listeners that it’s normal to feel conflicting emotions and that you shouldn’t run away from them.

“If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” by Justin Moore

Song Year: 2011

If you’ve ever lost someone close to you, you know how hard it is to realize that you’ll never see them again on this earth.

Wishing you could have just one more conversation, play one more game, or laugh one more time with them is a heartbreaking experience.

Justin Moore relates to these sentiments perfectly in “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” making it a touching song to play at your father’s funeral.

“When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton

Song Year: 2005

For people who believe in some kind of life after death, there’s always an underlying aspect of hope when someone special passes away. It’s a very special hope that you’ll see them again one day.

If you want to encourage yourself and your family at your father’s funeral, you might consider playing “When I Get Where I’m Going.”

It’s an incredibly sweet song about the joys of reuniting with the people you’ve lost once you cross over to the other side.

“You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor

Song Year: 1971

James Taylor crafted this exquisite tune about the comfort of having someone who would always have your back, no matter what. It’s about the person you can call up in the dead of night and know they’ll be at your door in minutes.

If your father was your best friend, the person you could always count on to be there when you needed a hand, then “You’ve Got A Friend” is the perfect memorial for him.

“Abide With Me” by Audrey Assad

Song Year: 2016

When you’re suffering through the loss of your father, you might find yourself needing hope and peace. One of the best comforts of that time is an old-fashioned hymn.

“Abide with Me” is an old hymn that’s gotten covered many times, and recently by Audrey Assad. It’s about the hope and strength you can experience through difficult times.

If you have faith, you can get through anything. You can trust that someone stronger than yourself will see you through to the end.

“Long as I Can See the Light” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Song Year: 1970

If your dad was a lover of the classics, then there’s no better way to honor his memory than with a little Creedence Clearwater Revival.

“Long As I Can See The Light” is about a man who has wandered far from home and from the people he loves.

But as long as there’s a light in the window, he knows he can always find his way home. It’s a great tune with a very special meaning for anyone grieving the loss of their father.

“He Didn’t Have to Be” by Brad Paisley

Song Year: 1999

Brad Paisley’s touching tune about his step-father is a remarkable tribute to how beautiful fatherhood can be when the right man is on the job.

In the song, Paisley learns everything he knows about being a man from this very special person who never had to be his dad.

Remembering your father’s influence and presence in your life with songs like “He Didn’t Have to Be” is a wonderful way to honor his memory.

Here are more touching country songs about losing your dad.

“Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton

Song Year: 1992

As you’ve likely seen, not all the songs on this list are exclusively songs about a dad dying. Eric Clapton wrote “Tears In Heaven” after the tragic death of his son.

Although the song is from the perspective of a man losing his child, the song is really about the tragedy of loss in general. For Clapton, writing the song was a healing experience.

That’s one of the beautiful things about music. It can help you get through some of the toughest times in your life, like losing your beloved father. 

“My Old Man” by Zac Brown Band

Song Year: 2017

Not all funeral songs need to be sad, slow ballads. Sometimes, it’s easier to have uplifting music that celebrates your father’s memory.

“My Old Man” is the perfect song for such an occasion. It pays homage to a man who was like a superhero to kids; remember all the lessons he taught them over the years.

In the final verse, the singer reflects on how much he strived to be like his father. And how he hopes that his dad is looking down on him from heaven, happy with how he turned out.

“A Song for Dad” by Keith Urban

Song Year: 2002

A father’s influence never goes away. If you were blessed with a good father, his impact on your life would always be present.

Even if his actions didn’t always make sense to you or if you thought he was overprotective or controlling. Eventually, everything clicks in your mind.

One day, you’ll find that you’re turning out exactly like him. You’ll be thankful for all his sacrifices for you and your family when that happens.