49 Rock Funeral Songs

“I Am Sailing” by Rod Stewart

Song Year: 1975

The lyrics to this song are simple and repetitive but offer hope from the perspective of someone who has passed away. This person wants their loved ones to know they are no longer trapped by pain or illness.

The song tells about the deceased being free, sailing away to the next life while still being close enough to be there for those left behind.

“It’s You I Miss” by Fleetwood Mac

Song Year: 2003

Another song whose message is transparent from its title. The singer expresses their longing for a particular individual and what they miss most about them.

The yearning to catch a glimpse of the person they miss, even briefly, and witness their smile once more is a common recollection we hold onto after a loved one passes away.

“Turn! Turn! Turn!” by The Byrds

Song Year: 1965

A song frequently used at funerals with religious themes, it has a passage lead singer Pete Seeger took from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 that tells the listener to know when to embrace life and when it’s okay to turn away.

The song also talks about how life has seasons and that living and dying are as natural as the changing of the seasons.

“Blackstar” by David Bowie

Song Year: 2016

David Bowie wrote Blackstar, knowing he was ill and didn’t have long left on this earth. He faced his own mortality and tried to make sense of what he experienced through song.

This song is deep and complex and works for those looking to add a piece to a funeral playlist, but it leaves everyone interpreting the very personal lyrics differently.

“Candle In The Wind” by Elton John

Song Year: 1973

Many listeners have interpreted this song to mean different things and be about others. Still, Elton John has stated that he wrote it and dedicated it to Marilyn Munroe, who passed away suddenly and too soon.

The song references the press coverage that happened at the time and is an excellent tribute to someone who passed away young.

“Calling All Angels” by Train

Song Year: 2003

Many people look to the heavens for help or supernatural forces to aid them in times of need. In this song, the lead singer realizes that he can’t handle his grief and problems alone and asks his guardian angels to help him get through this difficult time.

It’s a beautiful classic-sounding song that would appeal to people of many different genre preferences.

“Goodbye” by Cage the Elephant

Song Year: 2019

This sorrow-filled ballad tries to communicate the grief the band feels through the lyrics and moments of silence between piano notes. Each time the piano pauses, the strings come in and fill in the silence, highlighted by the singer’s heart-aching lyrics.

The song’s cathartic chorus allows mourners to grieve and pay their respects while also finding comfort in the fact that their loved one is at peace. It serves as a goodbye to those we lose, framed as a lullaby.

“Everglow” by Coldplay

Song Year: 2015

“Everglow” by Coldplay is a deeply emotional song that can be a fitting choice for a funeral. The song’s melancholic melody and sentimental lyrics capture the bittersweet feeling of losing a loved one.

The lyrics speak of the enduring presence of the departed in our memories and the comfort that their memory brings. “Everglow” provides a moment of solace and reflection for mourners and serves as a touching tribute to the memory of the departed.

“Hallelujah” by Bon Jovi

Song Year: 2007

“Hallelujah” by Bon Jovi is a beautiful and timeless song that has become popular for funerals. Originally written by Leonard Cohen, the song’s lyrics express a deep sense of spirituality and gratitude for the beauty of life.

Bon Jovi’s version adds an uplifting and anthemic quality to the song, creating a powerful tribute to the memory of the departed. The song’s soaring chorus of “hallelujah” can provide a moment of solace and hope for mourners, reminding them of the beauty and joy that their loved ones brought to their lives.

“Stairway To Heaven” by Led Zeppelin

Song Year: 1971

Another very popular rock funeral song, “Stairway To Heaven,” is one that many people already know and treasure because it has a spiritual feel to it without being that religious.

The song’s message of transcendence and liberation from earthly bonds can be a comfort to those grieving the loss of a loved one, providing a sense of peace and closure.

“Thinking About You” by Radiohead

Song Year: 1993

The band released two versions of this song, one is faster and more erratic, and one is slower and more thoughtful. You can choose which one to play depending on your loved one’s preference for rock.

In the song, the singer is thinking about someone who is now gone, looking through treasures like favorite records he hung on the wall and photographs that remind him of them. These items help revive old memories of better times together.

“Spirit In The Sky” by Norman Greenbaum

Song Year: 1969

This religious song implores the listener to know that the person is in a better place and that the afterlife will be a beautiful and peaceful place for them, thanks to the spirit in the sky.

The singer also says that with the right steps, like living a good life, everyone can have a place in Heaven with those who have already passed on.