Why sing songs at a funeral? Because group singing can offer a moment of togetherness, and help guests to feel part of a funeral service. This might be especially meaningful if the person who has died was a musician or simply loved music.
Whether you are looking for something reflective, hopeful or gently humorous, this list offers some alternatives to hymns which can be sung as a congregation as part of a funeral service.
Image: The London Funeral Singers
But first, our top tips for group singing at a funeral:
Choose something with a tune that most people will know - or be prepared to teach it to them before you start singing.
Print out the lyrics, or include them in the order of service.
Play a recording of the song, or have someone accompany on a piano or guitar.
Consider having a song leader or a group of more confident singers sitting or standing near the front to help get people going. If you choose a pop song, Briony from The London Funeral Singers says, "have a confident or professional singer sing the verses, then have the congregation join in with the choruses. Be sure to make it clear in the order of service when to sing."
Don’t worry about it being perfect - it’s not a performance.
Spotify links for each song are provided – we do not earn anything from you clicking these links and other sources of music are available. Poppy’s is not responsible for the content of external websites.
1. ‘Danny Boy’ – traditional, recorded by many artists
"Folk songs aren’t normally religious, and are usually well-known and easy enough for people to sing together," says Briony. "Lullabies (which are technically folk songs) work surprisingly well too."
Danny Boy is a stirring folk classic with themes of love and remembrance. Particularly popular for those of Irish heritage, it builds to an emotional and musical climax with the final words; ‘and I will sleep in peace until you come to me’.
A beloved tune from the film the Wizard of Oz, this dreamy song has come to represent hopefulness and the promise of life beyond what we know. It also has particular resonance for those who loved the Eva Cassidy version, as she died herself not long after releasing the song in 1992.
Simple and upbeat, ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ was the closing theme music for the Morecambe and Wise comedy sketch show. It’s easy to sing and could be a lovely choice for someone who was a ‘ray of sunshine’ to those around them.
The music and lyrics of this popular Coldplay song are simple and easy for a group to join. The lyric of ‘lights will guide you home’ could be a lovely refrain to be offered as a wish or blessing to send the person who has died on their way.
A simple and joyful song, the words ‘don’t worry about a thing, ‘cos every little thing is gonna be alright’ can be an uplifting message during a sad time. Great for the end of the service – people may well keep singing as they file out!
From the musical Rent, ‘Seasons of Love’ is one for the theatre lovers! It might need a group to lead it, but its theme - that a life's value cannot be quantified in time - is a beautiful message for a funeral service. Particular poignant for people who died young.
‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’ - Monty Python
A perfect choice for someone with a sense of humour and a light-hearted view on life. ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’ never fails to make people smile. It has become a symbol of irreverent humour for generations of Monty Python fans. The option of joining in with the whistled sections can add a bit of silliness.
This is a popular choice for funerals – but is no less meaningful for that. It is a simple, well known tune that will be easy for people to follow, and remind people of all that is beautiful in the world, to bring comfort alongside their grief.
We’ve seen hundreds of people singing their hearts out to this one – proof that even a song that is more vocally challenging (there's some highs and lows in the tune) works if you all have a go. Hugely uplifting.
This song is explicitly written for a burial graveside - and it has a rousing and surprisingly joyous feeling. It’d be perfect for fans of folk music, especially if you have musicians who might like to accompany the singing. It wouldn’t take long to teach a portion to the congregation. It is written as if from the perspective of the person who has died – the refrain of ‘be not afraid’ is profound and hopeful.
If you know folk musicians, 'burial blessing' could be a rousing choice for a burial service.
With its heart-wrenching lyrics but playful melody (not forgetting the ‘dooby dooby doob doop doop doop, woah!’) this song does what music can do so well – marry the joyful with the deeply sad, enriching both. The one requires someone to lead.
"Nothing celebrates a football fan more perfectly than their team’s song, and it’s become a popular alternative to hymns," Briony says.
Originally from the 1945 musical Carousel, this song builds to a moving climax that is great for belting out as a group. Particularly suited for fans of football – especially devotees of Liverpool FC!
reminder of the simple but profound joys of friendship, ‘You’ve Got a Friend’ could sound wonderful accompanied by live guitar.
Honourable mentions
Jerusalem
This is technically a hymn, however many non-religious people also choose it because of its moving lyrics and rousing arrangement. In addition to its religious themes, it also is associated with English sport and politics.
Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (Bread of Heaven)
In the same vein, this hymn is an unofficial national anthem of Wales and therefore popular for those wanting to include a reference to the person’s Welsh identity or heritage.
And lastly – what about the conga??
We’ve had a wonderful funeral that ended with guests filing out in a line singing ‘let’s all do the conga’!
Though this may not be for everyone, is it a brilliant reminder that there is no formula you have to follow for a funeral, and it doesn’t have to be sombre if that’s not right for you. sometimes, breaking with tradition is the perfect way to honour the person who has died.
