Funeral Songs for Mum

Choosing the right music for your mum’s funeral can feel daunting, but it’s one of the best ways to celebrate and remember her. Many people opt to book a professional funeral singer or choir and hear it sung live. Here are some of the most popular songs for a mother’s funeral from across the worlds of opera, choral music, pop and folk. 

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Classical and choral: Mother Mary

In classical and choral music, mothers are often celebrated through music dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Here are some popular pieces to consider.

Ave Maria (versions by Schubert, Bach/Gounod, and Caccini)
Probably the most recognisable and frequently requested funeral song, Schubert’s Ave Maria celebrates grace, tenderness, and maternal care. It was written in German, but typically you’ll hear it in Latin at Catholic services. It’s usually performed by a female soloist, often during the offertory, but works beautifully as an entrance piece, setting a calm and reverent tone. Hear one of our soloists performing it on our Listen page. 

The Bach/Gounod and Caccini settings of Ave Maria are less well-trodden but equally beautiful. They are also sung by a soprano soloist, offering the same celebration of Mary as the Mother of God, but could be a more unusual choice - to celebrate a mum who liked to be a little different. 

Stabat Mater (versions by Pergolesi, Dvořák, and Palestrina)
Few hymns capture the depth of a mother’s love and loss as profoundly as Stabat Mater. Based on a 13th-century text, it reflects on the Virgin Mary’s grief at the crucifixion of her son. Pergolesi’s version is intimate and often performed by two female soloists, while Dvořák and Palestrina offer larger choral settings. Its emotional tenderness makes it particularly suited to a reflective moment in a service, especially when performed by choir.

Salve Regina (versions by Poulenc and Victoria)
This ancient Marian hymn addresses Mary as a loving and merciful mother. Poulenc’s version is particularly striking for unaccompanied choir, while Victoria’s Renaissance setting offers a more traditional sacred sound. These pieces are ideal for communion or quiet reflection, especially when sung by a full choir of 8 blending the sound to create an atmosphere of intimacy and devotion.

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Other classical options

Tiny’s Song from Paul Bunyan (Britten)
Should a day come I hear a lover whisper,
Should I stay an old maid whom the men pass by,
My heart shall cherish your guardian image,
Mother, O Mother, till the day I die. 

In this poignant moment from Britten’s opera Paul Bunyan, Tiny sings longingly to her mother who has died. She sings about missing her mum while life just carries on around Tiny, and how she’ll always cherish her memory no matter what happens. Written for soprano, it requires a sensitive and expressive opera soloist, and could help release some of the sadness you might be feeling soon after losing your mum. 

Do Not Be Afraid (Philip Stopford)

Do not be afraid,
Do not be afraid. […]
I have called you by your name.
You are mine. You are mine.
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With lyrics taken from a Bible passage, the heartbreakingly simple message of this gorgeous choral piece speaks for itself. Listening to it is like being gently reassured by a nurturing parent and enveloped in a comforting hug. Written for a choir to sing unaccompanied, it meets the listener in their fear and grief and builds gently, enveloping them in solace and love. Hear our singers perform this piece on our Listen page. 

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Mama (Il Divo)

Mama, thank you for who I am,
Thank you for all the things I'm not.
Forgive me for the words unsaid,
For the times I forgot.

Blending opera with contemporary music in a popular crossover style, Mama is a direct and emotional tribute to a mother who has passed away. Released by male singing group Il Divo, it’s written for a male-voice choir and based on the classic 1940 Italian song Mamma. Its heartfelt lyrics and sweeping melody could make it a powerful choice for a tribute or slideshow moment.

Folk and pop music for Mum

You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban)
This modern classic has become a staple at funerals, thanks to its message of strength and support. It speaks passionately to the idea of a child being raised and guided by a loving parent, and many find strength in its soaring, hopeful tone after losing a loved one. It suits either a soloist or larger choir, and works particularly well as a closing piece to finish the service with a powerful lift.

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Supermarket Flowers (Ed Sheeran)

So, I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down, you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back
He'll say, "Hallelujah, you're home".

Ed Sheeran wrote and sang this song for a family funeral. Like many others in this list, it’s directly addressed from a child to a mother who has just passed away. It’s informal and conversational, which you might prefer to the more traditional choral pieces above, and requires a strong singer-guitarist with just the right level of emotion to communicate its humble message. 

Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)

Did you ever know that you're my hero?
And everything I would like to be
I can fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings.
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A long-standing favourite, this Grammy-winning song from the movie Beaches expresses gratitude for someone who offered constant support and encouragement. Often associated with motherhood, it works best as a solo performance and is particularly effective towards the end of the service, leaving the congregation with a sense of appreciation and warmth.

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Days (The Kinks)

Thank you for the days
Those endless days, those sacred days you gave me
I'm thinking of the days
I won't forget a single day, believe me

A family once asked us to arrange a version of this lovely 1960s song about gratitude and cherished memories for a choir. The effect at the service was incredibly moving. Understated and humble in the same way as Supermarket Flowers, Days is slightly more off the beaten track but comes with bags of positivity, love, and warmth. A particularly good choice for celebrating a mother who grew up in the ‘60s surrounded by music by bands like The Kinks. 

Suo Gân (Welsh folk song)
As you sleep there's naught to scare you,
‍‍Naught to wake you from your rest;‍
‍Close those eyelids, little angel,
Sleep upon your mother's breast.
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‍‍Suo Gân is a traditional and tender Welsh lullaby. Its simple, soothing melody evokes the intimacy of a mother singing to her child, making it especially poignant in a funeral context. It can be performed as a solo or in a choral arrangement, and works beautifully as a quiet reflective piece within the service.

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We're here to help

Live music is a popular and heartfelt way to pay tribute to a wonderful mum, 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 mums in their own way, with sensitive, moving and beautiful live music.

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Created by The London Funeral Singers, April 2026