Songs to Remember Loved Ones on Your Wedding Day

Updated November 14, 2023 | Author: Matthew Campbell

Music accompanies all phases of life. Birth. Graduation. Marriage. Holidays. Death. Music is power. It communicates with our souls — our very beings. Where words fail, music takes the lead.

Discover through my list of the best memorial songs to remember loved ones.

memorial songs

When picking out the song to remember a loved one, you must consider the following 3 factors:

  1. Does the song have a special meaning to both of you?
  2. Does the song’s meaning describe your relationship?
  3. What is the tempo of the song (fast or slow) to determine when the song fits best into your wedding day?

As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of songs to remember loved ones. Songs are selected by the meaning of the song and popular hits by today’s brides. Besides the relationship type between you, additional lists are grouped by genre to match your taste in music

New Memorial Songs

  1. “Liquor Store In The Sky” by BJ The Chicago Kid, Freddie Gibbs (R&B – 2023)
  2. “Eyes Closed” by Ed Sheeran (Pop – 2023)
  3. “Never Not Remember You” by Cooper Alan (Country – 2023)
  4. “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna (Pop – 2022)
  5. “Let Somebody Go” by Coldplay X Selena Gomez (Pop – 2021)
  6. “Red Bird” by HunterGirl (Country – 2022)
  7. “Beat You There” by Will Dempsey (Country – 2022)
  8. “Paper Airplanes” by Ruth B. (Singer-Songwriter – 2022)
  9. “Lifetime” by Three Days Grace (Rock – 2022)
  10. “Bigger Than The Whole Sky” by Taylor Swift (Pop – 2022)
  1. “Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill (Country – 1994)
  2. “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe (Christian – 1999)
  3. “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton (Country – 2005)
  4. “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth (Hip Hop – 2015)
  5. “Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (World – 1990)

Stream Memorial Songs

My Wedding Songs is a reader-supported website. As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission but also support the artists.

Listen to your favorite songs on streaming services!

Stream playlist on Apple Music
Stream playlist on Amazon Music
Stream Playlist on Tidal

Snag music ideas you’ll actually want to play

Every Wednesday morning, you’ll get song ideas to create an epic wedding playlist. You may unsubscribe at any time.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
 

Celebration of Life Tracks

Remember Your Dad

  1. “Dance With My Father” by Luther Vandross (R&B – 2003)
  2. “Thank You for Being My Dad” by Jon Barker (Singer-Songwriter – 2006)
  3. “Heaven Right Now” by Thomas Rhett (Country – 2021)
  4. “When I Get There” by P!nk (Pop – 2023)
  5. “Monsters” by James Blunt (Pop – 2019)

Remember Your Mom

  1. “Two Of Us” by Louis Tomlinson (Pop – 2019)
  2. “Bye Mom” by Chris Janson (Country – 2022)
  3. “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran (Pop – 2017)
  4. “Mother” by Sleeping At Last (Singer-Songwriter – 2023)

Remember a Child

  1. “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton (Rock – 1992)
  2. “Who’d You Be Today” by Kenny Chesney (Country – 2005)
  3. “Liam’s Song” by Tainted Lyric (Country – 2021)

Remember a Friend

  1. “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth (Hip Hop – 2015)
  2. “Drink A Beer” by Luke Bryan (Country – 2013)
  3. “Show Me Around” by Carly Pearce (Country – 2020)
  4. “F64” by Ed Sheeran (Pop – 2023)

Remember a Loved One

  1. “Sad Song” by We The Kings, Elena Coats (Alternative – 2013)
  2. “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith (Pop – 2014)
  3. “Red Bird” by HunterGirl (Country – 2022)
  4. “If Heaven Had a Landline” by Brian Congdon (Country – 2022)

Remember a Military Person

  1. “The Ones Who Didn’t Make it Back Home” by Justin Moore (Country – 2019)
  2. “Arlington” by Trace Adkins (Country – 2005)
  3. “Some Gave All” by Billy Ray Cyrus (Country – 1992)
 

Best Country Hits

  1. Never Not Remember You – Cooper Alan
  2. Red Bird – HunterGirl
  3. Beat You There – Will Dempsey
  4. Bye Mom – Chris Janson
  5. Liam’s Song – Tainted Lyric
  6. Heaven Right Now – Thomas Rhett
  7. Show Me Around – Carly Pearce
  8. Knowing You – Kenny Chesney
  9. Drowning – Chris Young
  10. The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost – Craig Morgan
  11. Heaven Bound Balloons – Granger Smith
  12. The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home – Justin Moore
  13. I’ll Carry You Home – Trisha Yearwood
  14. Broken Halos – Chris Stapleton
  15. Forever Loving You – Tanya Tucker
  16. Fishing in the Sky – Travis Smith
  17. You Should Be Here – Cole Swindell
  18. Drink A Beer – Luke Bryan
  19. If Heaven Was Needing A Hero – Jo Dee Messina
  20. People Are Crazy – Billy Currington
  21. Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song) – Toby Keith
  22. When I Get Where I’m Going – Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton
  23. Arlington – Trace Adkins
  24. Remember When – Alan Jackson
  25. I Miss My Friend – Darryl Worley
  26. Song For Dad – Keith Urban
  27. One More Day – Diamond Rio
  28. Angels In Waiting – Tammy Cochran
  29. Wish You Were Here – Mark Wills
  30. Holes In The Floor Of Heaven – Steve Wariner
  31. Go Rest High On That Mountain – Vince Gill
  32. Angels Among Us – Alabama
  33. Some Gave All – Billy Ray Cyrus
 

Unique Indie Hits

  1. Paper Airplanes – Ruth B.
  2. One More I Love You – Alex Warren
  3. Sad Song – We The Kings featuring Elena Coats

Beautiful Rock Tunes

  1. Lifetime – Three Days Grace
  2. Birds – Imagine Dragons
  3. Coming Back Down – Hollywood Undead
  4. So Far Away – Avenged Sevenfold
  5. Goodnight, Travel Well – The Killers
  6. Go On – Jack Johnson
  7. Call Me – Shinedown
  8. Tangled up in You – Staind
  9. The Last Song – Foo Fighters
  10. In Loving Memory – Alter Bridge
  11. When I Look To The Sky – Train
  12. Keep Me In Your Heart – Warren Zevon
  13. An Original Man (A Song for Keith) – Yardbirds
  14. Last Kiss – Pearl Jam
  15. August 7, 4:15 – Jon Bon Jovi
  16. Tears In Heaven – Eric Clapton
  17. 100% – Sonic Youth
  18. I’ll Be There – Escape Club
  19. The Living Years – Mike + The Mechanics
  20. One Tree Hill – U2
  21. Afterimage – Rush
  22. Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
 

Popular Pop Tracks

  1. Eyes Closed – Ed Sheeran
  2. Bigger Than The Whole Sky – Taylor Swift
  3. Let Somebody Go (Piano Version) – Coldplay X Selena Gomez
  4. Visiting Hours – Ed Sheeran
  5. Million Miles – Angelina Jordan
  6. Not Far Away – Love Street Lovers
  7. Two Of Us – Louis Tomlinson
  8. Heaven’s Not Too Far – We Three
  9. Supermarket Flowers – Ed Sheeran
  10. Dancing in the Sky – Dani and Lizzy
  11. If You Could See Me Now – The Script
  12. Gone Too Soon – Simple Plan
  13. Are You Here – Corinne Bailey Rae
  14. Bye Bye – Mariah Carey
  15. Stop Crying Your Heart Out – Oasis
  16. For Always – Josh Groban
  17. Being Boring – Pet Shop Boys
  18. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
  19. Candle In The Wind – Elton John
  20. Angels – Robbie Williams
  21. Angel Standing By – Jewel
  22. Time To Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiro) – Sarah Brightman
  23. I Will Remember You – Sarah McLachlan
  24. Gone Too Soon – Michael Jackson
  25. Wish You Were Here – Bee Gees
  26. Life In A Northern Town – Dream Academy

Tip

If your Mom passed away before your wedding, read 5 Ways of Honoring Your Mother’s Memory At Your Wedding.

 

R&B Favorites

  1. Liquor Store In The Sky – BJ The Chicago Kid, Freddie Gibbs
  2. Lift Me Up – Rihanna
  3. A Mother’s Prayer – K. Michelle
  4. Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross
  5. It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday – Boyz II Men
  6. Missing You – Diana Ross

Hip Hop Songs for Funerals

  1. See You Again – Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth
  2. Dance – NAS
  3. I’ll Be Missing You – Puff Daddy & Faith Evans
  4. Tha Crossroads – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
 

Folk Tunes To Honor Loved One

  1. Jealous of the Angels – Jenn Bostic
  2. 21 Days – Brian Fallon
  3. On Your Side – The Innocence Mission
  4. Thank You for Being My Dad – Jon Barker

Misc Tunes For Slideshow

  1. With Me – Sum 41
  2. Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Have a favorite, not on my list? Be sure to share your song at the bottom of the list.

Listen to our podcast about the memorial songs.

 

FAQs

Unfortunately, life is complicated. Yes, a wedding day is one of the most important days for a bride. She has been planning it since her childhood.

However, not every wedding is a fairytale wedding — at least not the Disney kind.

Though you may have wished your father could walk you down the aisle, sadly, he has passed. Maybe you dreamed your mother would help plan all of the wedding details.

More than we’d like, life is not what is expected and special people close to us pass away, whether it be a parent, sibling, special relative, or friend.

Memorial songs allow you to make room on your special day to celebrate the life and memories of your lost loved one.

Popular alternatives for a dance or dedication are to play songs about a father and son, songs dedicated to a sister from a sister, and songs dedicated to a brother from a brother. If you have a stepmother that filled the role of “dad”, play a stepmom and stepson song.

Popular alternatives for a dance or dedication are to play songs about daughters growing up and a sister and brother playlist. If you have a stepfather that filled the role of “dad”, play a stepdad and stepdaughter song.

At wedding ceremonies or receptions, a memorial song can be played in remembrance of a special person who has passed away. When is up to you? As always, we recommend chatting with your wedding planner and professional DJ.

When remembering a loved one during a wedding, we recommend having a special object at the wedding ceremony and wedding reception in their honor. An example would be to have a lit candle in remembrance.

When selecting memorial songs, we suggest finding a song that was special between the wedding couple and the person no longer living. It can be any song you like. It doesn’t have to be a slow or sad song either. It’s a time set aside to honor your parent, friend, or family member. Maybe one of these songs will We have songs from all genres to meet your needs. We have rap, rock, country, jazz, R&B, and much more.

If you would like to think of someone who has passed away looking down on the bride and groom and/or looking over them, we would suggest the following songs: “Holes In The Floor Of Heaven” by Steve Wariner and “Angels Among Us” by Alabama. If it was a child who passed away, we suggest “Angels In Waiting” by Tammy Cochrane or “Tears In Heaven” by Eric Clapton. Eric Clapton wrote the song after he lost his son.

If you would like to remember a soldier, we suggest “Arlington” by Trace Atkins or “Live Like We Were Dying” by Tim McGraw. The song played for Princess Diana, “Candle In The Wind” by Elton John, would be great for remembering a classy woman.

People come and go, but their memories will live on. It is very difficult for you, as the wedding couple, to have a special loved one pass early and not be able to attend your wedding. Honoring them in song helps.

What songs should you play at a funeral or celebration of life? We have some suggestions for how you can celebrate a loved one’s passing with one of the above memorial songs.

Why trust Matthew Campbell?

DJ, Author, Music Lover

matt

Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the founder/editor of My Wedding Songs from his experience as a wedding DJ. He is the author of two wedding planners: ‘Wedding Songs Planner’ and ‘The Wedding Music Toolkit’. Matt is the host of the ‘Wedding Songs Podcast’. He shares music inspiration in his weekly newsletter the ‘Wedding MusicLetter’. His articles have been published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. Matt resides in the wedding capital of the world – Las Vegas.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
guest
12 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Bridget M Willard
Bridget M Willard
3 years ago

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd.

My Wedding Songs
My Wedding Songs
3 years ago

Thanks Bridget. Great song and we will add it to the list!

Charles Jacoby
Charles Jacoby
3 years ago

I lost my son Michael who was only 18 tragically to a dui driver 2 months ago. Some very good songs are “Call Me” Shinedown “Pieces” Sum 41 Stonesour “Through the glass” “Coming Back Down” Hollywood Undead “Tangled up in you” Staind “Gone too soon” Simple Plan “Stop Crying Your eyes out” Oasis “If you could see me now” The Script “With Me” Sum 41 hope this helps some people out there as much as they’ve helped me.

My Wedding Songs
My Wedding Songs
3 years ago
Reply to  Charles Jacoby

Hi Charles. Sorry to hear about your son. Prayers for you and your family. Thank you for the song suggestions. We will add them to the list!

Mackenzie
Mackenzie
5 years ago

So Far Away by Avenged Sevenfold?

My Wedding Songs
My Wedding Songs
5 years ago
Reply to  Mackenzie

Thanks Mackenzie. Great song and we will add it to the list.

Rosie
Rosie
6 years ago

Great list! I have another addition cole swindale “you should be here”

My Wedding Songs
My Wedding Songs
6 years ago
Reply to  Rosie

Thanks Rosie and thanks for the great suggestion. We will definitely add it to the list.

Patricia Meadows
Patricia Meadows
6 years ago

These are all really great suggestions but I have another that might be fitting… “if heaven wasn’t far away” by Justin Moore

My Wedding Songs
My Wedding Songs
6 years ago

Thanks Patricia! Great song and we will add to the list.

Donna bunch
Donna bunch
7 years ago

I recently lost my son he was 38
I would like some suggestion for songs to play at his memorial

My Wedding Songs
My Wedding Songs
7 years ago
Reply to  Donna bunch

Hi Donna. Sorry for your loss. Many of the songs above are great. However, I would suggest playing songs more to his personality. For example, If he was an upbeat, fun loving guy, then have happy songs in celebration of his life instead of the stereotypical songs played at memorials. Hope this helps. God Bless.