Funeral Music: 20 Modern Songs that Provide Meaning and Comfort

Funeral music can be vitally important to making a funeral memorable, meaningful and comforting for family and friends of the deceased. While hymns can bring reverence to a funeral, adding contemporary or modern funeral music can also reflect the personality and preferences of the departed and help create a true celebration of life. Naturally, at Stillinger Family Funeral Home, we listen to the wishes of the family as we work together to plan the services, including music to be played. But for families looking for modern funeral music inspiration, here is a list of 20 songs to consider (with artists who wrote, performed or made them famous):



Funeral Music: 20 Contemporary Songs

  1. Angel – Sarah McLachlan
  2. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon and Garfunkel
  3. Dust in the Wind – Kansas
  4. Forever – Rascal Flatts
  5. Go Rest High on That Mountain – Vince Gill
  6. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Green Day
  7. I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
  8. If Heaven Was Needing a Hero – Jo Dee Messina
  9. If I Had Only Known – Reba McEntire
  10. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan
  11. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
  12. One More Arrow – Elton John
  13. Somewhere Over the Rainbow (What a Wonderful World) – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
  14. Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
  15. The Dance – Garth Brooks
  16. The Living Years – Mike & the Mechanics
  17. These Are the Days of Our Lives – Queen
  18. Time in a Bottle – Jim Croce
  19. To Where You Are – Josh Groban
  20. When I Get Where I’m Going – Brad Paisley (featuring Dolly Parton)


If you don’t recognize all these songs, that’s okay. Just Google them and you will find video performances and/or videos with lyrics. Of course, listening to these songs might remind you of others that have special meaning for your family as well. Obviously, the choice of music is a deeply personal one. Whatever mix of music you choose, consider using modern funeral music to set the right tone to say goodbye, celebrate a life fully lived, and provide emotional healing for those left behind.

To learn more about funeral planning and pre-planning with Stillinger Family Funeral Home, contact us today at (317) 462-5536.

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