Granddad funeral songs: hymns and tunes in memory of Grandpa
Explore 10 beautiful and moving songs that could be suitable for the funeral of a beloved granddad.
If you're reading this because you've lost your grandpa, we're sorry. You've probably got a lot on your plate – and choosing music for the funeral will be just one task among many.
There are different ways to choose music for a funeral. You can look through Grandpa's records and find out from friends and family the songs, hymns and genres that he loved. You can work with a funeral director who can suggest suitable music.
But the main thing when choosing music is to keep Grandad at the front of your mind. Would he be pleased to know you'd chosen this song or hymn to remember him by? If the answer is yes, you're unlikely to go wrong.
Nevertheless, you may want some guidance – especially because planning a funeral can feel overwhelming.
At Akshardham Funeral Directors, we're here to help. We've put together this list of 10 beautiful hymns and tunes that you could play at Grandpa's funeral.
Songs for Grandad's funeral
1. "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
Short and sweet, "What a Wonderful World" is a much-loved funeral song for a reason. It celebrates life, connection and the hope that lies in future generations, all set to a stirring and delicate musical arrangement:
I hear babies cry
I watch them grow
They'll learn much more
Than I'll ever know
"What a Wonderful World" is a perfect song for the funeral of a grandad who was always optimistic and loved life.
2. "My Way" by Frank Sinatra
This famous song celebrates individuality and defiance. Life, Sinatra sings, has been a mixture of joy and pain. But at the end of the day, he can put his hand on his heart and say he did it his way.
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has nought
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
3. "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton
Written after the death of his infant son, Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" is a popular choice at funerals for people of all ages.
Sung tenderly, the song asks the person who has died: "Would you know my name / If I saw you in Heaven?" He urges himself to "be strong / And carry on" – sentiments that many people at a funeral will relate to.
4. "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan
Taken from his 1974 album Planet Waves, "Forever Young" is a kind of modern-day country-rock hymn. It prays for the listener to stay young even as they grow old – and prays that they'll be celebrated and remembered:
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
5. "All Things Must Pass" by George Harrison
This reflective, rousing song by George Harrison expresses two things that might come to mind during a funeral service. First, that death is inevitable and secondly, that "all things must pass away".
At the same time, however, it offers a message of hope that while "None of life's strings can last", "it's not always going / To be this grey". What's more, we have it in us to overcome loss: "A mind can blow those clouds away".
6. "Many Rivers to Cross" by Jimmy Cliff
Opening with gospel organ, "Many Rivers to Cross" soon explodes into a passionate vocal about longing for peace in the face of life's struggles:
Yes, I've got many rivers to cross
But I can't seem to find my way over
Wandering, I am lost
As I travel along
7. "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" by Riley Green
This song by American singer-songwriter Riley Green is as witty as it is moving. The singer lists things he wishes were true, culminating in his poignant wish that grandpas never died:
And I wish the price of gas was low and cotton was high
And I wish honky-tonks didn't have no closing time
And I wish grandpas never died
Hymns for Grandad's funeral
1. "Lead, Kindly Light"
This is a hymn about finding peace after death – something many will wish for a person who has recently died:
Lead, kindly Light, amid th' encircling gloom;
O lead me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
O lead me on!
2. "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace"
This hymn sets a prayer by St Francis of Assisi to music by Sebastian Temple. There are many versions available from choirs to solo singers. We've chosen this pure-toned performance by the Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins.
3. "Abide with Me"
Our third and final choice of hymn is the all-time classic "Abide with Me". Written by Henry Francis Lyte, it's a prayer to God to stay with us in death as well as life:
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes.
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
AFD is an independent funeral director based in Edgware, North London. Visit our blog for more ideas on music, poetry and readings for funerals.
