35 Best Funeral Songs For Dad

“Keep Me in Your Heart” by Warren Zevon

Song Year: 2003

Another gorgeous song about keeping someone alive through your memory of them is “Keep Me in Your Heart.”

Warren Zevon does an incredible job of portraying the beauty of someone who refuses to let the memory of their cherished family member die.

Keeping your father alive through your memories and the stories you tell about him is one way to help you cope with the grief.

“Heaven Was Needing a Hero” by Jo Dee Messina

Song Year: 2010

It’s hard to understand why people die, especially when they leave the world too young or unexpectedly.

Jo Dee Messina takes comfort in knowing that there must be a reason. No death is truly pointless in her eyes.

“Heaven Was Needing a Hero” might be the antidote to your grief. It might help you smile when you think of how strong your daddy was and what he must be doing in heaven now.

“Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce

Song Year: 1973

“Time In a Bottle” tells a story relatable to anyone who feels like time was too short, or life too tragic.

Jim Croce just wants more time with the people that he loves. He wants a chance to do everything he’s ever dreamed of doing with his loved one.

If you’re dealing with losing a father, you probably know how Croce feels.

“More Heart, Less Attack” by NEEDTOBREATHE

Song Year: 2014

Your father was likely one of the most important people in your life. He taught you things that no one else could have explained. He taught you about life, love, and how to be strong.

Remembering his legacy with “More Heart, Less Attack” is the perfect way to pay homage to all the life lessons he ever gave.

More than that, living by the wise words of NEEDTOBREATHE will help you become the person your father always knew you could be.

“You Can Close Your Eyes” by James Taylor

Song Year: 1971

James Taylor’s heartbreaking song “You Can Close Your Eyes” is perfect for anyone wrestling with grief and pain.

The singer gives his loved one permission to let go of him; he promises to love them always, no matter what.

Sometimes a song is all you’ll have left to remember your dad. This one by James Taylor is one of the best.

“Father to Son” by Phil Collins

Song Year: 1989

Phil Collins sings about all the life lessons that his father taught him over the years. It’s a heartening memorial to the relationship between a father and son.

Best of all, it helps you remember that your father is always with you. He will always be a part of you, even when he’s gone.

Because of that, you’re never really alone.

“Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis

Song Year: 2007

If you’ve never read the famous poem on which “Footprints in the Sand” is based, you might want to go check it out. Then give this heartwarming song a listen.

Struggling with the loss of someone like your father is never easy. Sometimes, the good times are just as hard to remember because they remind you of all you’ve lost.

One of the most helpful things to get you through the pain of losing your dad is remembering that he’s still with you. He is a part of you that will never fade away.

“Anyway” by Martina McBride

Song Year: 2007

If you need something uplifting to remind you that the pain won’t last forever, “Anyway” by Martina McBride is the perfect song to deliver that hope.

In this song, McBride explains that life is hard, and it often takes twists and turns that you don’t want or expect. Coping with the loss of a loved one is one of the hardest things you’ll ever experience.

But if you can find something to hold on to through it all, you’ll come out alright in the end. For McBride, she prays no matter what.

“If Heaven” by Andy Griggs

Song Year: 2004

In this sweet, heartfelt song, Andy Griggs muses about all the things heaven would be if it could get defined in human terms.

Thinking of heaven in this way seems to help him come to grips with the fact that his loved ones are in a better place now that they’re in heaven.

Losing someone as important as a father is a heartbreaking experience, but remembering that he’s never truly gone all the way will help you find hope amid your grief.

“You’re Missing” by Bruce Springsteen

Song Year: 2002

Bruce Springsteen has a special knack for getting right to the heart of his listeners. “You’re Missing” is one of those highly emotional songs that speaks to anyone who has lost their father.

You might consider this Springsteen tune if you’re looking for a special, mournful song to play at your dad’s funeral.

In it, he explores the suddenness of death and how a gaping hole is left where there used to be a human life. It’s not something you can just get over; you must work through it and process the grief.

“I Think It’s Going To Rain Today” by Randy Newman

Song Year: 1968

Sometimes you want to sit in your grief. Crying is a good emotional release, and it might help if you had a song that could get you to the point of shedding tears.

“I Think It’s Going to Rain Today” is the perfect song for anyone who needs a good cry. Even if your dad wasn’t a big Randy Newman fan, you could still think of him while the song plays.

If you’ve just lost your father, you’ll find yourself wrestling with an appreciation for the care of those around you and frustration that they can’t just leave you alone.

Newman reflects on this, examining grief and pain of loneliness even when the people around him are reaching out and extending a helping hand.

Top Funeral Songs For Dad, Final Thoughts

Songs are a beautiful way of expressing emotion, especially when losing people we love.

Every music genre has a selection of songs about a dad dying. Some are heartbreaking, while some are more uplifting, but all are meant to honor the memory of Dad. Let us know if the comments below if you have any thoughts or if there’s a song we missed that helped you get through the grief of your father’s funeral.