In 2019, Co-op Funeralcare gathered insights from 300 of their Funeral Directors and Arrangers, and based on funerals they conducted in the previous 12 months they put together a list of the 10 most popularly requested songs to be played at funerals.
Countdown of the Best Funeral Songs
10. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life - Eric Idle (Monty Python's 'Life of Brian')
"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is a comedy song written by Monty Python member Eric Idle that was first featured in the 1979 film Monty Python's Life of Brian, and it has gone on to become a popular song for those who want to go out on a laugh, rather than a cry.
This song is one of the most famous of the Second World War era, and still resonates today with anyone who went off to fight as well as with their friends and families.
8. You Raise Me Up - Westlife
"You Raise Me Up" is a song originally composed by the Norwegian-Irish duo Secret Garden. The song has since been recorded by more than a hundred other artists, including Irish boy band Westlife in 2005 whose version went to number 1 in the UK singles chart.
This popular Nat King Cole song was recorded in 1951 and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000, proving its popularity throughout the decades.
6. Supermarket Flowers - Ed Sheeran
Ed played this song at his grandmother’s funeral at the request of his father, and after hearing it for the first time his grandfather insisted that he released the song out to the public.
5. Angels - Robbie Williams
In a 2005 poll, Britons voted it the song they most wanted played at their funeral. It might have slipped down a few places but this song looks to be sticking around as a regular favourite.
4. Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
Bette Midler recorded the highest charting version of this song to date, appearing on the soundtrack to the film Beaches.
This song debuted at number 88 in the UK singles chart in February 2001, climbing up to number 42 in May, more than four years after she’d passed away.
2. Time To Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
Originally intended to be a farewell song for boxer Henry Maske, this song has become a poignant and emotional farewell song for many a loved one.
1. My Way - Frank Sinatra
And now the end is near… Everyone likes to think they made it through life ‘their way’, and that is why this song resonates with so many.
So there you have it! The question is, what will be the next song to jump onto the list? Will any that are currently popular fall out of favour? There are bound to be changes as years pass, but some will no doubt remain as timeless favourites for a long, long time to come.
The Top 10 Most Popular Songs For a Funeral
1. My Way - Frank Sinatra
2. Time To Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
3. Over The Rainbow - Eva Cassidy
4. Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
5. Angels - Robbie Williams
6. Supermarket Flowers - Ed Sheeran
7. Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
8. You Raise Me Up - Westlife
9. We’ll Meet Again - Vera Lynn
10. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life - Eric Idle (Monty Python's 'Life of Brian')
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