Whether you’re a religious person or not, it’s hard to deny that funerals have a way of making us all reflect on the preciousness and fragility of life. No matter how much time has passed since your mom died, it can be nice to honor her memory with one last song at her funeral.
Here are 41 funeral songs for mom that will leave you in tears.
1. If I Could Be Where You Are – Enya
This song is a beautiful and timeless tribute to any woman. The song is perfect for the memorial service with family, where you want everyone to feel connected through your memories of her.
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2. (They Long To Be) Close To You – Carpenters
Everyone shares in this memory of mom when the song plays. It’s one of those songs that has been a part of so many people’s childhoods and is a standard for remembering loved ones.
Next: The top songs for a celebration of life ceremony
3. Lose Yourself – Eminem
![Eminem - Lose Yourself [HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_Yhyp-_hX2s/0.jpg)
This song is one of the most popular songs in recent memory with a strong message to live your life with purpose – something that mom, in her unconditional support, would have wanted you to do.
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4. You’re My Best Friend – Queen
This classic and simple song is a reminder that your mom was the best friend you could have ever asked for. Share this with your family and friends to get everyone smiling through their tears.
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5. Something’s Got A Hold On Me – Christina Aguilera
Everyone has heard of this song, and it’s a touching track about not being able to let go of someone you love. It would be so fitting for your mom because she never stopped loving anyone in her life – especially you.
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6. Mom – Lonestar
This song from the early 2000s is a sweet tribute to that special woman who guided us through all our days. A song like this is lovely to share with the younger members of the family who only knew her through memories and photos.
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7. Gone Too Soon – Michael Jackson
This song was written about Ryan White, a young man who had contracted AIDS from contaminated blood treatments. It’s one of those songs that works for anyone you lost because it’s about how short life is.
Next: Top songs about saying goodbye to people
8. Don’t Bring Me Down – Edwin McCain
Another timeless song, this one with a sad twist of fate because it’s such a happy tune. The lyrics tell the story of someone who lived their life to the fullest and didn’t let anything hold them back. This is perfect for honoring mom because she was always there to help you be the best that you could be.
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9. Piece Of My Heart – Janis Joplin
This song is about loving someone unconditionally and would be perfect for letting your mom know how much she meant to you through times both good and bad. It’s a fun, bluesy cover of Erma Franklin’s classic, and was Joplin’s biggest hit.
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10. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
This song speaks for itself with its classic lyrics of love that can never end. For anyone who has lost their mom, this is the go-to funeral song to let her know how much you’ll always love her.
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11. Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars
This is one of the funeral songs for mom which would be lovely to share with her because of its message of love and acceptance. It’s a great way to remind everyone that you were more than enough, just as you are – a lesson that your mother would have passed on to you.
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12. Love Story – Taylor Swift
For the mom who always tried to be a part of your love story, play this tune at her funeral with lyrics giving thanks for all the love she showed you over the years. You can’t go wrong with anything country or a classic from Taylor, and both would make a lovely tribute to a loving matriarch.
Next: Top country love songs of all time
13. My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson
This upbeat pop song is about celebrating the love you have for someone, which would be perfect to share with all your friends and family during the service. It’s got a great beat that everyone can hum along to.
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14. Smile – Charlie Chaplin (cover by Nat King Cole)
This song was written in the 30s but has remained evergreen ever since then. It’s about living your life with a smile on your face no matter what’s going on – something that your mom would have wanted for you.
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15. My Way – Frank Sinatra
“Regrets I’ve had a few, but then again too few to mention”, croons the iconic Ol’ Blue Eyes in this song. A touching song about living your own life – something that your mom would have wanted for you.
16. For The First Time – The Script
“For the first time in my life I see you clearly”, sings this Irish rock band, which is just what your mom would have wanted for you – to be happy, no matter how it comes about. It’s a perfect song for your most heartfelt memories of her, with lyrics you can use to make a touching tribute.
17. Halo – Beyoncé
The perfect way to honor the woman who always had your back, this pop hit is about how someone made you see that perfection exists in the world even if it’s hidden by pain. This is our pick for memorializing any strong matriarch in your life.
18. That’s All I Ask Of You – Billie Holiday
Though the lyrics are sad – “It’s all over, why must I even bother to try anymore?” – when sung by Lady Day herself, they take on a new layer of meaning. It might remind you of how much she wanted the best for you no matter what, and how she let go on her terms.
19. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack
This love song is a classic which would be perfect for celebrating the life of a devoted mother. It’s got the same effect as “Yesterday” by The Beatles in that it will bring back all the memories of growing up and spending time with your mom, which is what you want during a funeral.
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20. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
This funeral song for mom is about living your life for yourself and getting to be where you want to be no matter what anyone says. It’s a great track for highlighting the freedom of spirit that your mom passed on with it, which is what we think she’d want to hear at her funeral.
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21. How Do You Keep The Music Playing? – Céline Dion
A song about immortality and staying youthful in your heart, this tune would be a great addition to the service for any mom who never stopped caring. It’s got a beautiful piano solo that will bring tears to your eyes – and with lyrics that could easily be used as a message of hope in a time of mourning – it’s a great song.
22. We’ll Be Together – Sting
Just the title says it all – this is a song about coping, which your mom wanted for you when she was alive and desires even more now that her time is done. It’s got some beautiful sounds that hit on the Arabic side of things with the oud – perfect for a mom who’s an exotic beauty.
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23. Free Your Mind – En Vogue
A funky, upbeat song that encourages everyone to let their hair down and party – it’s the perfect way to honor someone who wanted you to be free without letting go of everything that makes you great.
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24. The Garden – Jimmy Scott
Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, this song is about finding your peace no matter what. A beautiful track with a timeless message – what more could you want for such an occasion?
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25. In My Life – The Beatles
The perfect track for when you want to look back and smile at all the wonderful memories in your mind, this iconic song is a must-have on any playlist. A nice pick if your mom was someone who loved the Beatles like we know she does!
Next: Top Beatles songs of all time
26. You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
![Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up (Official Music Video) [HD Remaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aJxrX42WcjQ/0.jpg)
A classic meant to bring everyone together no matter who they are or where they come from, this tune has been known to give people chills. It’s a perfect song about the cycle of life and how strong your mom was in her life so she should always be remembered as such.
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27. You’ve Got A Friend – Carole King
For mom, there ain’t no better friend than you! The lyrics in this song are perfect for showing how much better life can be when you’ve got someone at your back.
28. If I Die Young – The Band Perry
A beautiful song about leaving this world before your time is up and feeling good about it, this track is a great one to go with because the lyrics mention everything that would be keeping her up at night.
29. Hello – Adele
A modern-day classic that everyone loves listening to when they need a picker-upper (or even when they’re not!) Adele has one of the most amazing voices out there and “Hello” is one of her best. If your mom was someone who always knew how to bring a smile, this song will do just that!
30. My Way – Elvis Presley
A classic about knowing what’s what and making it work for you no matter what, this is a great song for when you’re trying to find the silver lining in your mom not being with you anymore. We find the Elvis version to have its own unique sound and feeling, which is why we included this version too!
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31. All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
A classic for a reason, this song is about not giving up no matter what because love will always be there to carry you through the tough times. A nice track to have during any service – it’s an oldie but goodie!
Next: Songs about keeping strength and not giving up
32. Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks
To help get your mind off things and bring back some of the good times you had with your mom, this track will do the trick. A song about having fun despite what’s going on around you – it’s the perfect one to play when you’re trying to celebrate her life instead of mourning it!
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33. Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
A beautiful song about the grief you felt after losing someone who meant so much to you, this is a perfect one if your mom was someone who always knew how to show her love. Sit back, relax and let Clapton remind you of all the great times!
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34. Angel – Sarah McLachlan
![Sarah McLachlan - Angel [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/i1GmxMTwUgs/0.jpg)
For mom, it’s never too late to become an angel. A warm song about looking back and letting your mom know how much you care, this is one of McLachlan’s most famous tunes – it’s a nice reminder that you’re not alone!
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35. Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
A beautiful ode to someone who was the best part of your day for as long as you can remember, “Hallelujah” is a song with deep meaning and history that will make your mom’s friends and family smile. The lyrics are perfect for showing why mom was such an angel on Earth!
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36. Candle in the Wind – Elton John
A beautiful song about letting go, Elton John’s track is one that everyone knows. If you’re looking for a song that will help you mourn appropriately, this is a great one to have on your playlist!
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37. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
A great tune from the soundtrack of everyone’s favorite movie, Titanic. If your mom was someone who always made sure you had all the love you needed and more, Celine Dion’s song about always carrying her with you is the perfect one to go with!
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38. Mama – Connie Francis
This song is a great choice for the Latin community who’ve lost a mother. It’s sung in English and Spanish, and is a great overall choice for a funeral for your mom.
Next: The best Spanish love songs of all time (our list)
39. Keep Holding On – Avril Lavigne
Your mom can be your best friend too, and losing her can impact you so greatly as you’re losing the person you talk to and have the best relationship with in the world. A true heartbreaker.
40. When I Need You – LeAnn Rimes
For those times it feels like you’re never going to be okay again, LeAnn Rimes’ song about someone who loved you through the best and worst is a great one to have on your playlist. The lyrics are perfect for helping you say goodbye and letting her know how much she means to you!
41. Somewhere – Lionel Richie
A classic song about reuniting with someone you love after a long time apart, this one will bring tears to everyone’s eyes. If mom always knew how to make it better, this is the perfect song for your playlist!
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As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.