10 inspiring and emotional funeral songs from musicals
Choosing music for a funeral can be difficult. Explore 10 funeral songs from musicals that could work for you.
Music plays an important part in funerals in many cultures, faiths and countries. It can be a way of setting the tone and reflecting the personality of the person who died.
Sometimes, a person will request music for their own funeral. But often, it falls to loved ones to make the choice. This can be a difficult decision to make at a time when emotions are running high and there are lots of tasks to complete.
That's why we've put together this list of 10 funeral songs from musicals. They span the decades in a variety of moods and styles. We hope it helps you make a decision that suits you, the people in attendance and the memory of the person who has died.
1. "Remember Me" from Coco (2017)
Written by American composer Michael Giacchino, this guitar-led lullaby from Disney's Coco is a sweet and gentle choice for a funeral.
The lyrics comfort and reassure – "Remember me / Though I have to say goodbye / Remember me / Don't let it make you cry" – while the brief duet at the end is sure to tug at the heartstrings.
2. "Circle of Life" from The Lion King (1994)
Written by Elton John, Hans Zimmer and Tim Rice, this classic number from Disney's 1994 The Lion King is about the circle of life that "moves us all / Through despair and hope / Through faith and love".
With its memorable Zulu opening and soaring chorus, it's a song that's won many awards and been played at many funerals and memorial services.
3. "Let It Go" from Frozen (2013)
Funerals are usually a time for mourning – but sometimes, they're about celebration, too. A song like "Let It Go" from the Disney film Frozen could be the right choice for someone who lived life to the full.
It's a song about taking charge of your life and freeing yourself from other people's expectations: "Let it go, let it go / Turn away and slam the door / I don't care what they're going to say".
4. "Memory" from Cats (1981)
Based on a poem by T.S. Eliot and written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn, "Memory" is the climax of the musical Cats – and one of the most famous songs from a musical ever written.
It's also suitable for a funeral with its mixture of nostalgia ("I can smile at the old days") and hope for the future ("I must think of a new life / And I mustn't give in").
5. "Somewhere" from West Side Story (1957)
A song of hope, "Somewhere", from West Side Story, has an unforgettable, yearning melody that makes it a suitable choice for a funeral.
There are several recordings available. That includes the recording from the original stage musical, two film versions and many cover versions. You can explore the different versions on YouTube, Spotify or another music streaming service.
6. "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera (1986)
"Think of Me" is a song about parting in life – but it works just as well as a song about parting in death: "Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade / They have their season so do we / But please promise me that sometimes / You will think of me".
Sung by the character of Christine in Andrew Lloyd Webber's
The Phantom of the Opera, this song is available in many versions by many different singers.
7. "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins (1964)
This gentle, lilting waltz from Disney's Mary Poppins is a celebration of the simple things. At the end of the film, Mr Banks realises that his family is more important than his job, mends his son's kite and takes his family out to fly it.
With its nostalgic tone and memorable melody, "Let's Go Fly a Kite" is both uplifting and sad – a combination many people look for in a song for a funeral.
8. "No One is Alone" from Into the Woods (1986)
With its mellow, string-led arrangement and reflective melody, "No One Is Alone" is a song of comfort.
It's taken from Stephen Sondheim's
Into the Woods, a musical that combines the stories of several Brothers Grimm fairytales. In this particular song, Cinderella and the Baker comfort Little Red Riding Hood.
Described by a writer for
The New York Times
as "beautiful" and "cathartic", it's a moving choice for a funeral, emphasising togetherness at a time of grief.
9. "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel (1945)
In Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical Carousel, Nettie comforts her cousin Julia after her husband dies with a message of optimism and connection: "Walk on, walk / With hope in your heart / And you'll never walk alone".
The song has lived on since its first appearance in 1945. It's been sung by many football clubs, most famously Liverpool FC, and became an anthem of support for key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in parts of the UK and Europe.
There are many versions available, from the original musical recording to a hit single version by the Merseybeat group Gerry and the Pacemakers.
10. "Tell Me It's Not True" from Blood Brothers (1983)
Many funeral songs emphasise acceptance – but this song from Willy Russell's musical Blood Brothers is a song of disbelief: "Tell me it's not true / Say it's just a story / Something on the news".
It comes from a musical about twin brothers who grow up in different parts of society and then fall for the same girl. But its message is universal and strikes a chord with many people at funerals.
Choosing a song for the funeral of a loved one is a big decision. We hope this list helps you pick the right song for you and the person who has died.
For more advice about funeral planning, see our guides on
what to do when a person dies.
