Funeral songs for Dad

Choosing the right music for your Dad’s funeral can feel daunting, but it’s one of the best ways to celebrate and remember him. Many people opt to book a professional funeral singer or choir and hear it sung live. Here are some ideas if you’re looking for songs for your father’s funeral, including some modern songs, classical options, and popular hymns.

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‍Modern songs

Here are some popular choices that you might already be familiar with. Some are written from a father’s perspective, others written for the artist’s own father or son, and each one a fitting way to say goodbye to a beloved Dad. 

Harry Chapin – Cat's in the Cradle 

Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah

Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up

John Lennon – Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) 

Bring Him Home from Les Misérables

Mike + The Mechanics – The Living Years 

Kenny Rogers – Through the Years 

Paul Simon – Father and Daughter 

Frank Sinatra - My Way 

Sting – Fields of Gold 

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Classical options

The worlds of opera and choral music offer moving and passionate performance pieces that will really elevate your father’s ceremony. The pieces below are best performed by a professional classical soloist or choir, accompanied on the piano or organ. 

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‘In Paradisum’ from Fauré’s Requiem

Fauré began his Requiem shortly after the death of his father. ‘In Paradisum’ is designed for the end of the service, and commends the person who has died to Heaven with a stunning, angelic, choral sound. Visit our Listen page to hear our choir performing it. 

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Nessun Dorma

An enduring classic from Puccini's opera Turandot, this grand show piece for a solo tenor is noble, dignified, and truly heart-stopping. The famous emotional swells of this piece will lift the service to a new height.

‘Go forth upon thy journey’ from Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius

Another powerful opera piece for a solo male voice, this time together with a chorus of voices. It’s a farewell to a man who has made peace with God and is ready to meet him in Heaven. A strong and stirring piece, yet still with a lyrical beauty.

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‘Au fond du temple saint’ (The Pearlfishers’ Duet) from Bizet’s Les pêcheurs de perles 

A song about male friendship, this duet for male voices is another beloved classic from the opera world. It celebrates steadfastness and loyalty, and a bond of love that still remains fixed even after that person is gone.

Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus

Mozart wrote this beautiful piece a few years after the death of his own father, who had a profound impact on his life and career. It means ‘Hail the True Body’ and is intended as an anthem for Holy Communion. Visit our Listen page to hear our choir performing it. 

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Time To Say Goodbye

This is a straightforwardly emotional classical-crossover piece, written in a mixture of Italian and English. It can be sung by a soloist, or alternatively as a male/female duet, popularised by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. Visit our Listen page to hear our singers performing it. 

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Hymns

We’ve picked out the hymns most often chosen for the funeral of a parent. They’re warm and comforting, with a positive outlook that helps support sons and daughters as they say goodbye. You can hear most of these hymns on our Listen page.

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Do Not Be Afraid

I Watch The Sunrise

Here I Am Lord

The Old Rugged Cross

Amazing Grace

O Lord My God (How Great Thou Art)

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For patriots

If your Dad was someone whose country meant a lot to him, you might want to consider these patriotic anthems to give him a rousing send-off.  Find more suggestions in our other blog posts if he had Welsh, Scottish, or Irish heritage. 

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“Nimrod” from Elgar’s Enigma Variations

Jerusalem 

I Vow To Thee My Country

Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer/Bread of Heaven

Loch Lomond (I’ll Take The High Road)

Lady of Knock

Football songs

If your Dad was a proud sports fan, talk to us about a bespoke arrangement of his team’s signature song for a soloist or classical choir. We’ve sung versions of West Ham's I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles, Crystal Palace's Glad All Over, and the Liverpool's You’ll Never Walk Alone in the past, and we’ll be happy to create a special rousing arrangement of your Dad’s match-day song. 

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We're here to help

Live music is a popular and heartfelt way to pay tribute to a special father, but also a powerful way to bring a family together after losing someone so deeply loved. At The London Funeral Singers we have helped hundreds of people say goodbye to their Dad in their own way, with sensitive, moving and beautiful live music.

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© The London Funeral Singers, June 2026