23 Johnny Cash Funeral Songs

Picking the right songs for a funeral is an important task. When you lose someone special, you want to ensure you honor them with fitting music.

Johnny Cash has several songs from his extensive catalog that are perfect for a funeral, and these Johnny Cash funeral songs are some of the most heartfelt and meaningful.

“Amazing Grace” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 1975

One of Johnny Cash’s specialties was singing gospel music. His voice was perfect for it. He recorded some famous hymns throughout his career, on his own and with his gifted wife, June Carter Cash.

“Amazing Grace” is a very popular song for funerals, and this version by Johnny Cash is especially poignant. This is definitely the song if you’re looking for music that will uplift and encourage funeral-goers.

“Peace in the Valley” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 1963

“Peace in the Valley” is another wonderful old spiritual song about how joy and peace come with death for those who believe there’s something better waiting for them. It’s a beautiful tribute to that faithful person in your life.

It’s also an encouraging song for those struggling to cope with grief. The tune delivers a message of hope that will help mourners find closure.

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 2002

Johnny Cash released many cover songs in the late days of his career, showing off his aged and worn voice. Songs like “Bridge Over Troubled Water” became more powerful when carried by Cash’s rough and raw tone.

The song is all about supporting the people that you love. Being part of a family or a tight group of friends means you’ll always be there for them, no matter their needs.

It’s a beautiful song to play in memory of those closest to you. It will honor their legacy and remind you of all the good times together.

“If We Never Meet Again This Side of Heaven” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 1962

Country songs have a way of touching our soul with their heartfelt lyrics. They’re so potent, filled with beautiful truth and shining hope. “If We Never Meet Again This Side of Heaven” is one of those priceless songs.

Cash sings about his hope that all his friends will be reunited one day in heaven. Even if he never sees his loved ones again on this earth, he knows what that means: their reunion in heaven will be that much sweeter.

“Ain’t No Grave” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 2010

As Johnny Cash aged, his deep and powerful voice became rough, as if worn out by time and a hard life. The result is a number of songs in the last days of his career that are wonderfully moving and haunting.

“Ain’t No Grave” is another old standard that Johnny Cash made his own with his rough, gravelly voice. In this tune, he expresses his confidence that death is not the end. He has faith in life after death, so not even the grave can keep him down.

Consider this one if you’re looking for a hopeful yet somber song to play at a funeral.

“Swing Low Sweet Chariot” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 1959

“Swing Low Sweet Chariot” is a beautiful old spiritual from African-American culture that has become one of the most popular songs to sing at a funeral. It’s versatile, so you can play it slow, contemplative, or joyful.

Johnny Cash covers this old song about the glory that awaits those who have passed away; in heaven, there is no more sorrow or pain, and Cash wants his listeners to remember that as they consider the fleeting nature of this life.

“Wayfaring Stranger” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 2000

“Wayfaring Stranger” is a beautiful tune about a man ready to leave this life behind. He’s experienced hardship and has lost so many people. He knows he’s going home to be with them and can’t wait to get there.

Johnny Cash explores the idea that this life is not truly home for some people. They see themselves as belonging elsewhere, in a different land or time.

“We’ll Meet Again” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 2002

As the end of his life approached, Cash started singing more songs about the end of life. He had a certain hope in what was waiting for him after death, and he wanted others around him to take heart, knowing that he’d be alright.

“We’ll Meet Again” is a plea to those he leaves behind. He wants them to carry on for his sake.

If you need a song to help you find closure and motivation to keep living life to the fullest, give this one a listen.

“I’m Free From the Chain Gang Now” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 1962

“I’m Free From the Chain Gang Now” is a Johnny Cash song about the end of life for someone who has experienced nothing but pain and suffering. Although it’s sad, there’s also something freeing about it.

In it, he encourages his loved ones to go on without him; he’s not hurt by the weight of the world anymore, and they should take heart knowing that he’s happier than ever.

“You’re the Nearest Thing to Heaven” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 1958

There’s nothing harder than losing your spouse, your life partner, and the one you loved more than anyone else on the whole earth. Experiencing such a loss is heartbreaking, to say the least.

One way to cope with the grief of such a loss is to remember the good times and cherish the love you shared. “You’re the Nearest Thing to Heaven” is a testament to that.

“Guess Things Happen That Way” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 1959

When a loved one passes away, people tend to dwell on the past and wonder what they could have done differently. There’s a temptation to feel guilty over not having more time, not saying “I love you” enough, or simply not being there in the end.

“Guess Things Happen That Way” is a realist’s antidote to those feelings. Sometimes people die, and there’s nothing anyone can do. Beating yourself up about it, or feeling guilty for things you never did, won’t do you or them any good.

“I Still Miss Someone” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 1958

After losing someone special, one of the hardest things to do is go out and live life as if nothing is wrong. You tend to feel like a shell of the person you used to be, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t move on.

“I Still Miss Someone” is a call not to take things too fast. One day you’ll heal; you’ll wake up and realize that you’re a little better than you were before, and that cycle will continue.

But now, you miss your loved one, and that’s alright. Don’t rush the process. Let every trial have its full effect.