Best Wedding Memorial Songs: Honoring Their Presence

A wedding is a celebration of a new future, but it is also a moment to honor the roots that made you who you are today. When a parent, grandparent, or dear friend isn’t there to sit in the front row, music becomes the bridge that brings their spirit into the room.

As a wedding DJ, I have seen “Remembrance Moments” become some of the most sacred parts of a wedding day. In 2026, the trend has shifted away from purely somber dirges toward “Legacy Tributes”, songs that don’t just mourn a loss but celebrate a life well-lived and the lasting impact that person left behind.

From soulful ballads that capture a parent’s love to modern “Guardian Angel” anthems, these songs are selected to help you find a beautiful, respectful way to say, “You are here with us.”

Choosing the Perfect Memorial Tribute

Finding a song for someone you miss requires a balance of emotion and timing. Consider these 2026 expert tips for a meaningful tribute:

• The “Strategic Placement” Rule: Timing is everything. For a more private tribute, place these songs during the Prelude or the Lighting of the Memorial Candle. If you want a public tribute during the reception, I recommend playing it during Dinner or Cocktail Hour. Avoid playing memorial songs once the high-energy dancing has begun, as it can be difficult for guests to shift moods quickly.
• The “Relationship-Specific” Lyric: In 2026, couples are moving toward highly specific songs. Instead of a generic “sad song,” look for tracks that mention the specific role, like a “Song for Dad” or a tribute to a “Grandma’s Wisdom.” These specific lyrics often resonate more deeply with the family members in attendance.
• The “Celebration of Life” Vibe: Not every memorial song has to be a slow ballad. If your loved one was known for their vibrant personality, consider a Mid-Tempo song (90–110 BPM) that feels uplifting rather than heavy. Songs like “Broken Halos” or “Angels Among Us” provide comfort without weighing down the atmosphere.
• The “Digital Memory” Feature: If you are creating a memorial slideshow or a social media tribute, look for “Micro-Tributes.” These are 20-30 second clips from songs like Ed Sheeran’s “Visiting Hours” or Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here” that perfectly encapsulate the feeling of missing someone in a single verse.

Explore my curated list of memorial songs below, organized by relationship, from parents and siblings to military tributes, to find the song that honors your loved one’s unique legacy.

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New Memorial Songs to Know

• Friends We Won’t Forget – Brent Morgan

Songs by Relationship

Father/Dad/Papa

A list of songs to remember your dad on your wedding day.

• “Dance With My Father” by Luther Vandross
• “Thank You for Being My Dad” by Jon Barker
• “Heaven Right Now” by Thomas Rhett
• “When I Get There” by Pink
• “Monsters” by James Blunt
• “Remember Him That Way” by Luke Combs
• “My Old Man” by Zac Brown Band
• “You Should Be Here” by Cole Swindell
• “Song For Dad” by Keith Urban
• “The Living Years” by Mike + The Mechanics
• “If You Could See Me Now” by The Script
• “Jealous of the Angels” by Jenn Bostic

Mother/Mom/Mama

A list of songs to remember your mom on your wedding day.

• “Two Of Us” by Louis Tomlinson
• “Bye Mom” by Chris Janson
• “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran
• “Dance” by NAS
• “Mother” by Sleeping At Last
• “Love You Forever” by G-Eazy
• “One More I Love You” by Alex Warren
• “Goodnight, Travel Well” by The Killers
• “Heaven’s Not Too Far” by We Three

Grandma/Mom Mom

A list of songs to remember your grandma on your wedding day.

• “Holes In The Floor Of Heaven” by Steve Wariner

Grandpa/Pop Pop

A list of songs to remember your grandpa on your wedding day.

• “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton
• “Million Miles” by Angelina Jordan

Child

A list of songs to remember your child on your wedding day. Wow, this one would be a tear-jerker. I would recommend playing during the ceremony for a more happy vibe for the reception.

• “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton
• “Who’d You Be Today” by Kenny Chesney
• “Liam’s Song” by Tainted Lyric
• “Heaven Bound Balloons” by Granger Smith
• “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost” by Craig Morgan
• “Angels In Waiting” by Tammy Cochran

Sibling/Friend

I grouped brothers, sisters, and friends together in it’s own category because most siblings are friends too.

• “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth
• “Drink A Beer” by Luke Bryan
• “Show Me Around” by Carly Pearce
• “F64” by Ed Sheeran
• “Beat You There” by Will Dempsey
• “Heaven Right Now” by Thomas Rhett
• “Drowning” by Chris Young
• “Broken Halos” by Chris Stapleton
• “People Are Crazy” by Billy Currington
• “Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song)” by Toby Keith
• “So Far Away” by Avenged Sevenfold
• “The Last Song” by Foo Fighters
• “In Loving Memory” by Alter Bridge
• “An Original Man (A Song for Keith)” by Yardbirds
• “100%” by Sonic Youth
• “One Tree Hill” by U2
• “Afterimage” by Rush
• “Being Boring” by Pet Shop Boys
• “Gone Too Soon” by Michael Jackson
• “Wish You Were Here” by Bee Gees
• “Missing You” by Diana Ross
• “I’ll Be Missing You” by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans
• “Tha Crossroads” by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Someone Special

Of course, you are not going to celebrate a past lover on your wedding day. However, these songs are more generic of losing someone special to you you loved.

• “Sad Song” by We The Kings, Elena Coats
• “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith
• “Red Bird” by HunterGirl
• “If Heaven Had a Landline” by Brian Congdon
• “Let Somebody Go” by Coldplay X Selena Gomez
• “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna
• “Never Not Remember You” by Cooper Alan
• “Show Me Around” by Carly Pearce
• “Knowing You” by Kenny Chesney
• “Forever Loving You” by Tanya Tucker
• “Lifetime” by Three Days Grace
• “Coming Back Down” by Hollywood Undead
• “With Me” by Sum 41
• “Eyes Closed” by Ed Sheeran
• “Bigger Than The Whole Sky” by Taylor Swift
• “Visiting Hours” by Ed Sheeran
• “Dancing in the Sky” by Dani and Lizzy
• “Gone Too Soon” by Simple Plan
• “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion
• “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan
• “Life In A Northern Town” by Dream Academy
• “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” by Boyz II Men
• “21 Days” by Brian Fallon

Military Person

As Americans, we are thankful for all who serve in the armed forces. These songs pay tribute to fallen soldiers.

• “The Ones Who Didn’t Make it Back Home” by Justin Moore
• “Arlington” by Trace Adkins
• “Some Gave All” by Billy Ray Cyrus
• “Travelin’ Soldier” by Dixie Chicks
• “If Heaven Was Needing A Hero” by Jo Dee Messina

Having an Angel

Even though someone you know has passed, these songs pay homage that they are watching over you and your guardian angel.

• “Angels Among Us” by Alabama
• “When I Look To The Sky” by Train
• “I’ll Be There” by Escape Club
• “For Always” by Josh Groban
• “Angels” by Robbie Williams
• “Angel Standing By” by Jewel

Recent Passing

If someone passed recently and you want to remember them on your wedding day, these songs can do just that.

• “Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill
• “Bye Bye” by Mariah Carey
• “Time To Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiro)” by Sarah Brightman
• “Liquor Store In The Sky” by BJ The Chicago Kid, Freddie Gibbs

New Tracks DJs Need to Know

1. “Wherever You Are Tonight” by Kenny Chesney
2. “Love You Forever” by G-Eazy
3. “Remember Him That Way” by Luke Combs
4. “Liquor Store In The Sky” by BJ The Chicago Kid, Freddie Gibbs
5. “Eyes Closed” by Ed Sheeran
6. “Never Not Remember You” by Cooper Alan
7. “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna
8. “Red Bird” by HunterGirl
9. “Beat You There” by Will Dempsey
10. “Lifetime” by Three Days Grace
11. “Bigger Than The Whole Sky” by Taylor Swift

DJs! Plan a Memorial Song by BPM and Key

(Click on the Song, Artist, Key and BPM table columns for sorting)

*BPM and key pulled from SongData.io

Spotify Memorial Playlist

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