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Written by Adam McIlroy.
15 minute read
1960s funeral songs are among the most popular and comforting choices for a funeral, particularly because they can bring back powerful memories of a significant time in someone’s life. From gentle ballads and soulful love songs to uplifting rock, Motown and gospel, the decade offers music for almost every kind of farewell.
For someone who grew up or came of age during the decade, choosing 60s funeral songs can be an especially personal way to remember them. Artists including the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, the Rolling Stones and Frank Sinatra produced songs that remain familiar across generations. Many of the best funeral songs from the era explore themes of love, remembrance, hope and resilience.
Choosing funeral music can feel difficult, particularly when you’re arranging a service for someone who has recently died. The most meaningful choice is usually one that reflects their personality, memories and musical tastes rather than simply choosing the most traditional option.
Key takeaways:
There are plenty of popular 1960s funeral songs which you can choose from, either for your own funeral as part of end-of-life planning, or for the funeral of a loved one who has recently died. These range from more classic and traditional choices; to uplifting and inspirational songs; and religious and spiritual 1960s funeral songs.
These songs endure because their melodies and themes of love, memory and a life well lived can feel particularly meaningful at a funeral.
Funeral music doesn’t have to be sad. An uplifting song can bring warmth to a service and work particularly well for a celebration of life.
There’s a difference between gospel recordings released during the 1960s and traditional funeral hymns that remained popular throughout the decade. Both can provide comfort for families wanting faith to form part of the farewell.
Motown and soul produced some of the decade’s most recognisable music. These choices can bring warmth and personality to a funeral, particularly for someone who loved the genre.
The folk-influenced music of the 1960s offers quieter, more introspective choices that can work beautifully during a period of reflection.
Lyrics aren’t essential. Instrumental music can work particularly well as people enter, during a period of reflection or at the farewell, particularly when a lyrical song feels too personal or emotionally intense.
Whatever you choose, personal meaning matters more than selecting the most conventional song. A track that immediately reminds family and friends of the person who died can become one of the most memorable parts of the farewell.
As noted, the best way to make the music as impactful as possible is to personalise it in some way.
Selecting songs that resonate with the listeners on a personal level can elevate the emotion of a funeral and make it more special. For instance, it could be that the person who has died was a keen musician themselves, and they had a particular song that they loved to sing, or play on the piano or guitar. Playing a song like this at a funeral will connect on a deeper level with those who are listening who are aware of that personal context.
As well as the emotion of the music itself, they will also recall all the times they got to hear their loved one play it themselves before they die. Naturally, this will make the emotion of the moment more potent. If you are unsure of which music would be the most appropriate or impactful, don’t be shy about asking friends and family who knew your loved one in different ways to the way in which you knew them, as they may be able to give you pointers and tips.
You may find that you have to make a choice between live and recorded music. This might relate to selecting a live or a recorded version of one of the funeral songs already mentioned (there are plenty of good ‘live’ versions of those songs performed by those artists). Indeed, many people prefer the live version of a certain track, feeling that it is better than the recorded version.
There are a couple of considerations to make with this, however. Often (especially from artists who were around in the 1960s) the quality of recording of a live performance from the 1960s can be quite poor, given the technology that was available at the time. This means that, if playing it out across a sound system at a funeral, it might emphasise the poorer aspects of the recording and undermine the emotional benefit of the music. The other concern is that the vast majority of such recordings have not been made at funerals. This means the atmosphere in the recorded song (likely one charged with the buzz of a live performance) could jar significantly with the feeling in the room of the funeral.
The choice may also relate to whether or not to commission a live performance of certain music loved by the person who has died. Naturally, this will require you to check whether it’s possible to have live music at the venue; whether you have the budget if you intend to find third-party artists. If you intend to perform yourself by way of a tribute, naturally it could be incredibly meaningful. But, if, to put it bluntly, the quality of your performance is not satisfactory (whether through lack of ability or being emotionally overwhelmed), the performance could do more harm than good.
There are some key errors to avoid when choosing 1960s funeral songs, such as overlooking the meaning of lyrics, and not considering the family’s wishes.
It’s always important to remember that any funeral is likely to be a solemn occasion, with emotions running high, regardless of the personality of the person who has died, or their wish that the tone might be celebratory. For that reason, it’s important that, when choosing funeral music, whether or not from the 1960s, you are aware of the subtext of the lyrics. If you are unsure whether a song is appropriate based on its lyrical content, it might be a good idea to run it by someone else who can help you interpret their meaning.
Before queuing up a certain song to play, it is worth running your idea by the close family of the person who has died first. It might be that the song you want to play signifies something private (like a joke or a memory) between you personally and the person who has died, but which would be lost on the majority of the guests. Consider that there are many different beliefs on death and funerals in religion and culture which could be in attendance at a funeral.
Thank you for reading this article about 1960s funeral songs. We hope this article has provided you with some music ideas, and some tips about what to avoid.
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The 1960s produced many iconic songs with emotional depth, nostalgic value, and timeless appeal. For people who came of age during that era, the music often holds strong personal meaning and can reflect their identity, values, and life experiences.
A good 1960s funeral song reflects the personality of the person being remembered. It might be classic, emotional, uplifting, or spiritual, depending on what feels right for them and their loved ones.
Popular choices include My Way or That’s Life by Frank Sinatra, I’ll Remember You by Elvis Presley, and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack. These songs often carry deep emotional meaning or a strong personal statement.
Yes. Songs like You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers and The Impossible Dream by Andy Williams are often chosen for their hopeful messages and ability to inspire and unite mourners.
Songs such as Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum and If We Never Meet Again This Side of Heaven by Johnny Cash offer spiritual or faith-based comfort while still reflecting the style of the 1960s.
Think about their favourite artists, the music they played often, or any songs they loved to sing or dance to. Consider asking friends and family for input to help find a song that truly felt like them.
Recorded tracks are more common, but live performances can add a meaningful, personal touch. If considering a live performance, check the venue’s rules and make sure the quality of the performance will support the mood of the ceremony.
Yes. Some songs might sound fitting at first but include lyrics that feel out of place during a funeral. Always read through the full lyrics carefully and, if unsure, ask someone else to review them too.
Yes. The 1960s has such a broad range of music that you can still find songs that match a mood or memory, even if they weren’t particularly musical. The era’s influence is wide enough to find something fitting.
Absolutely. Even if a song has special meaning to you, it’s best to confirm that it aligns with the wishes of the close family and fits the tone they’re hoping to set for the service.