Top 100 Most Played Funeral Songs in the UK (2025)
Funerals are deeply personal and reflective moments, a time to celebrate the life and legacy of a loved one. Music plays a powerful role in these ceremonies, offering comfort, evoking cherished memories, and expressing emotions words often cannot capture. In the UK, funeral songs are more than just melodies—they are a soundtrack to a life lived, representing a person’s unique journey and the impact they had on those around them.
The choices people make for funeral songs vary widely. From classical compositions to contemporary chart-toppers, or from solemn hymns to uplifting anthems, the music selected often reflects the deceased’s personality, values, and passions. Some songs bring tears of remembrance, while others evoke smiles of joy, reminding us of the good times shared.
In this blog, we explore the top 100 most played funeral songs in the UK for 2025, offering insights into emerging trends, enduring classics, and the stories behind some of the most popular choices. Whether you're planning a service for a loved one or reflecting on your own preferences, this list provides inspiration and understanding of how music continues to play a central role in saying goodbye.
Why Funeral Songs Matter
Music at funerals is not just an accompaniment—it’s an integral part of the ceremony. It helps mourners connect with their feelings, uniting them in shared grief or celebration. A well-chosen song can reflect a loved one’s personality: Highlighting their favourite artist, genre, or a song that held special meaning. Provide comfort to attendees: The right melody can soothe the sorrow of saying goodbye. Celebrate life: Upbeat or inspirational tracks remind us to cherish the moments we have.
Trends in Funeral Music 2025
Personalisation is Key
In 2025, the UK continues to see a shift toward personalisation in funeral music. Traditional hymns remain popular, but many families now choose songs that hold sentimental value, regardless of genre.
Modern Hits Meet Timeless Classics
Recent hits from artists like Ed Sheeran and Adele often feature alongside timeless classics from Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Whitney Houston. These choices bridge generational gaps, ensuring the music resonates with all attendees.
Themes of Hope and Love
Songs with uplifting lyrics about hope, love, and resilience have become increasingly favoured. Tracks like “You Raise Me Up” by Westlife and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Eva Cassidy provide solace and a sense of peace.
Classics and Favourites
1. My Way – Frank Sinatra
2. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
3. Time to Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman
4. You’ll Never Walk Alone – Gerry and the Pacemakers
5. Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
6. Over the Rainbow – Eva Cassidy
7. Angels – Robbie Williams
Modern Favourites
8. Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi
9. Supermarket Flowers – Ed Sheeran
10. See You Again – Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
11. Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
12. Dancing in the Sky – Dani and Lizzy
Inspirational and Uplifting Songs
13. You Raise Me Up – Westlife
14. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
15. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – Monty Python
16. Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
Religious and Spiritual Songs
17. Amazing Grace – Traditional
18. Abide with Me – Traditional
19. The Lord is My Shepherd – Traditional
20. Ave Maria – Franz Schubert
Cinematic and Instrumental Tracks
21. Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy
22. Time – Hans Zimmer
23. Canon in D – Pachelbel
24. Nimrod – Edward Elgar
Popular Timeless Tracks
25. Let It Be – The Beatles
26. Imagine – John Lennon
27. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
28. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel
29. Candle in the Wind – Elton John
Classics and Favourites (Continued)
30. Somewhere – Barbra Streisand
31. Pie Jesu – Andrew Lloyd Webber
32. The Long and Winding Road – The Beatles
33. Knocking on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan
34. Every Breath You Take – The Police
35. Morning Has Broken – Cat Stevens
36. Yesterday – The Beatles
37. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
38. Always on My Mind – Elvis Presley
39. And I Love You So – Perry Como
40. I Did It My Way – Elvis Presley
Modern Favourites (Continued)
41. Love You To The Moon and Back – Luke Bryan
42. Hold Back the River – James Bay
43. Fix You – Coldplay
44. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
45. Memories – Maroon 5
46. Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
47. I’ll Be Missing You – Puff Daddy ft. Faith Evans
48. Make You Feel My Love – Adele
49. Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
50. Forever Young – Rod Stewart
Religious and Spiritual Songs (Continued)
51. How Great Thou Art – Traditional
52. Jerusalem – Traditional
53. I Watch the Sunrise – Traditional
54. Nearer, My God, to Thee – Traditional
55. The Old Rugged Cross – Traditional
Cinematic and Instrumental Tracks (Continued)
56. Gabriel’s Oboe – Ennio Morricone
57. The Mission – Ennio Morricone
58. Adagio for Strings – Samuel Barber
59. Lacrimosa – Mozart
60. Somewhere in Time – John Barry
61. Ashokan Farewell – Jay Ungar
62. Theme from Schindler’s List – John Williams
Inspirational and Uplifting Songs (Continued)
63. You’ve Got a Friend – Carole King
64. The Rose – Bette Midler
65. Lean on Me – Bill Withers
66. Imagine – John Lennon
67. We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn
68. The Living Years – Mike + The Mechanics
69. Amazing – Alex Lloyd
70. True Colors – Cyndi Lauper
71. One Day at a Time – Cristy Lane
Popular Timeless Tracks (Continued)
72. The Sound of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel
73. I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
74. Heaven – Bryan Adams
75. When I Look to the Sky – Train
76. The Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston
77. Songbird – Fleetwood Mac
78. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
79. Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
80. I Have a Dream – ABBA
81. Fernando – ABBA
Other Popular Choices
82. Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
83. Moonlight Serenade – Glenn Miller
84. Smile – Nat King Cole
85. The Prayer – Celine Dion & Andrea Bocelli
86. To Where You Are – Josh Groban
87. I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders
88. He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother – The Hollies
89. If Tomorrow Never Comes – Garth Brooks
90. Half the World Away – Oasis
91. She – Elvis Costello
92. Tears Dry on Their Own – Amy Winehouse
93. Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day
94. Who Wants to Live Forever – Queen
95. I’ll Never Love Again – Lady Gaga
96. With or Without You – U2
97. Fields of Athenry – Traditional
98. Hurt – Johnny Cash
99. Ordinary World – Duran Duran
100. Wonderful Life – Black
This list offers a wide range of genres, styles, and emotions, allowing families to select the most fitting music to honour their loved one’s life.
If you have any questions, comments or according to you certain information is missing after reading this post, feel free to contact us via the contact form.
