Cliff Richard funeral songs: which tracks are most suitable for a funeral service?

Simon Edward • 21 October 2026

Wondering if there are any Cliff Richard funeral songs? The star has certainly recorded some suitable tracks. Here are 7 to inspire you.

Cliff Richard is a household name, with eight decades of hits under his belt. He is the third best-selling artist in UK chart history, only beaten by The Beatles and Elvis.

His songs provide a soundtrack for multiple generations, especially those who grew up with him in the 1950s and 1960s. So, it's no surprise that his music is a popular choice for funerals.

But which songs should you use? It all depends on what the person who died would have wanted and how you want the funeral to feel.

We've put together a collection of some of the best Cliff Richard songs for a funeral to inspire you.

1. Miss You Nights

When a person dies, their loved ones can experience all sorts of painful emotions. One of the most common is loneliness – and that's a feeling this song expresses perfectly.

Cliff sings about lonely nights without his dear one there, repeating the lyric, "Yeah these miss you nights, they're the longest," throughout the song.

It would work particularly well as a tribute to a late spouse or partner.

2. Faithful One

"Faithful One" is a Christian song about the faithfulness of Jesus. However, it would make a fitting funeral song for a person of any faith. Cliff performed it at his close friend Cilla Black's funeral at St Mary's Church, Liverpool.

A few lyrics stand out. "For I am frail of heart, my strength is gone," might resonate with you if you're grieving. It expresses how heartache can feel physically strenuous – not just emotionally.

"Faithful, faithful to the end, my true and precious friend," is another moving lyric. At a funeral, it could be seen as a personal tribute to a loyal friend, partner or family member.

3. Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's original version of this song is one of the most popular funeral songs in the world. It's full of comforting lyrics that paint a picture of a peaceful afterlife:

"Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
And the dreams that you dream of, once in a lullaby…
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of, dreams really do come true"

Cliff's version is a little more uplifting than Israel's original acoustic ukulele tune. You might want to play it as people leave the venue or when showing a photo slideshow or video tribute.

4. It's All in the Game

This song feels very nostalgic, making it a comforting choice for a funeral.

The lyrics talk about life as a game of ups and downs. "Many a tear has to fall, but it's all in the game," sings Cliff.

In other words, sorrow is as much a part of life as joy. We may feel devastated when a loved one dies, but it's only because we loved them so much.

The song concludes with, "And you'll smile once more… and your head will be high." It's a powerful reminder for guests that, although they may be heartbroken, they will smile again.

5. Softly, As I Leave You

Cliff Richard didn't write this song. However, he performs it with a soft, reassuring tone that's fitting for a funeral.

The song is all about unconditional love, with lyrics like:

"Softly, I will leave you softly
For my heart would break if you should wake and see me go."

At a funeral, this lyric could send a powerful message: though we're all heartbroken, the person who has died would rather we weren't.

6. The Young Ones

"The Young Ones" was a number one hit for Cliff and his biggest-selling single. It tells a story of young love that will likely feel very familiar to anyone who was a teenager or young adult in the 1960s.

The lyrics are perfect for remembering a friend, partner or family member in their prime: "The young ones, darling, we're the young ones, and the young ones shouldn't be afraid."

It ends with the line, "because we may not be the young ones very long." This powerful lyric stresses how fragile life is, and how that makes it so precious.

7. Move It

Here's something a little different.

"Move It" is an upbeat rock 'n' roll classic – not a slow, sad funeral song. If the person who died was a rebel at heart, it could be a fitting choice for their funeral.

The song has a celebratory tone, with lyrics like, "C'mon pretty baby let's a move it and a-groove it." While it's not a traditional choice, it would remind guests of the fun personality of the person who died.

It's probably best placed at the end of the service. That way, you'll strike a more upbeat tone as people leave the funeral venue.

More funeral music inspiration

Here at Akshardham Funeral Directors, we understand that each funeral is unique. That's why we offer gentle, personalised support for families planning funerals across Greater London.

Choosing the right funeral music can help a service feel thoughtful and authentic to the person who has died. But we understand that it can be difficult to know which songs to pick. That's why we share lots of funeral ideas to help you choose the best music and songs for the service you're planning.

Still need some help choosing the right songs? Take a look at these guides:

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