Funeral songs: the top 50 played at funerals
Which music suits a farewell? It is a question that often has to be answered within a few days, at a time when your mind is elsewhere. This top 50 shows the songs played most often at funerals in the Netherlands. The list was compiled by Dutch funeral insurer DELA. You can listen to every song on Spotify.
The top 50 funeral songs
Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman
Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton
Afscheid Nemen Bestaat Niet by Marco Borsato
Angels by Robbie Williams
Papa by Stef Bos
Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
De Weg by Guus Meeuwis
De Steen by Paul de Leeuw
November Rain by Guns N' Roses
Who Wants To Live Forever by Queen & The National Philharmonic Orchestra
Old and Wise by Alan Parsons
One by U2
Het Water by Marco Borsato
The Rose by André Rieu
One Word by Anouk
Candle In The Wind by Elton John
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Imagine by John Lennon And The Plastic Ono Band (With The Flux Fiddlers)
Everybody Hurts by Joe Cocker
The Power Of Love by Andrea Bocelli
We'll Meet Again by Vera Lynn
Zo Zal Het Zijn by Rob De Nijs
Gone Too Soon by Trijntje Oosterhuis
Ave Maria D839 by Soeur Marie Keyrouz & Orchestre d'Auvergne & Arie van Beek
The Sound Of Silence by All Angels
Dust In The Wind by Bernie Williams
Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens
It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday by Boyz II Men
Afscheid Van Een Vriend by Clouseau
Bridge Over Troubled Water by Glen Campbell
Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf
Het Dorp by Wim Sonneveld
The Road Ahead by City To City
De Vlieger by André Hazes
Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You by Rod Stewart
What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Alles Wat Ademt by Rob De Nijs
Against All Odds by Dana Winner
When I Need You by Randy Crawford & Joe Sample
Go by Moby
You Take My Breath Away by Queen
Heroes by David Bowie
And The Birds Were Singing by Sweet People
Main Theme From "Missing" by Vangelis
One More Mile To Go by Chris De Burgh
A Song For You by Leon Russell
When You Wish Upon A Star by Louis Armstrong
Sand And Water by Tommy Fleming
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Shirley Bassey
The full list is also available as a Spotify playlist.
How do you choose music for a funeral?
Start with the person, not with the list. Which song did he sing along to in the car? Which record did she play on Sunday mornings? A song that belonged to someone often says more than the most beautiful song about saying goodbye.
Then think about the moment. Calm music suits the arrival of the guests. Between speakers, a song gives everyone room to listen and feel. At the end, choose something people can walk out with.
Frequently asked questions about funeral music
How many songs do you choose for a funeral?
Usually three to five: one as guests arrive, one or two between speakers and one at the farewell. Ask the funeral director how much time there is, as the venue is often booked for a fixed period.
Can funeral music be upbeat?
Yes. More and more families choose music that made the person happy, even if it is not about saying goodbye. An upbeat song can show exactly who someone was.
Which songs are played most often at funerals?
Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman tops the list, followed by Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton, Angels by Robbie Williams and Nothing Else Matters by Metallica.
Keeping the music with the memories
The song played at the funeral often becomes a memory in itself. On a memorial page you can share why that song was chosen. Family and friends add their own memories, photos and condolences. Read how to create a memorial page.