45 Celebration of Life Songs That Remember a Life with Joy

What songs are good for a celebration of life?

The most popular celebration of life songs are "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley and the Wailers, "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack, "My Way" by Frank Sinatra and "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles. They are warmer and brighter than traditional funeral hymns, which suits a gathering meant to remember a life with joy.

What is a celebration of life?

A celebration of life is a memorial gathering that focuses on the person's life rather than on mourning. It can happen weeks or months after a death, at a park, a restaurant, a backyard or a favorite bar, with photos, stories, food and the music the person loved. Many families choose it instead of a funeral, or in addition to a smaller private service.

Upbeat songs for a celebration of life

1. "Don't Worry, Be Happy", Bobby McFerrin: a reminder to smile.
2. "Three Little Birds", Bob Marley and the Wailers: easygoing reassurance.
3. "What a Wonderful World", Louis Armstrong: gratitude for everyday beauty.
4. "Here Comes the Sun", The Beatles: brightness after a hard season.
5. "Celebration", Kool & the Gang: a party song that fits the name.
6. "I Hope You Dance", Lee Ann Womack: a wish for the people left behind.
7. "My Way", Frank Sinatra: a life lived on its own terms.
8. "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", Monty Python: the cheeky British funeral favorite.
9. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World", Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: the gentle ukulele medley.
10. "Spirit in the Sky", Norman Greenbaum: upbeat and unafraid.
11. "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)", Green Day: a fond look back.
12. "Forever Young", Rod Stewart: a blessing that still fits.

Feel-good singalongs

13. "Lovely Day", Bill Withers: warm and unhurried.
14. "Happy", Pharrell Williams: pure joy.
15. "Walking on Sunshine", Katrina and the Waves: for someone who lit up a room.
16. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell: the Motown duet everyone knows.
17. "Sweet Caroline", Neil Diamond: the ultimate group singalong.
18. "September", Earth, Wind & Fire: a dance-floor classic.
19. "Best Day of My Life", American Authors: high-energy and hopeful.
20. "Mr. Blue Sky", Electric Light Orchestra: sunshine in song form.

Sentimental songs with a warm heart

21. "In My Life", The Beatles: the people who shaped us.
22. "Wind Beneath My Wings", Bette Midler: a thank-you to someone who lifted others.
23. "You've Got a Friend", James Taylor: written by Carole King.
24. "Thank You for Being a Friend", Andrew Gold: later the Golden Girls theme.
25. "The Dance", Garth Brooks: about cherishing the time you had.
26. "See You Again", Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth: a tribute to Paul Walker.
27. "Bridge Over Troubled Water", Simon & Garfunkel: steady comfort.
28. "Stand by Me", Ben E. King: loyalty and friendship.
29. "Unforgettable", Nat King Cole: the classic tribute title.

Country songs for a celebration of life

30. "Live Like You Were Dying", Tim McGraw: what a diagnosis teaches about living.
31. "Humble and Kind", Tim McGraw: the lessons a parent leaves behind.
32. "Drink a Beer", Luke Bryan: a quiet tribute to someone gone too soon.
33. "Go Rest High on That Mountain", Vince Gill: the country goodbye.
34. "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away", Justin Moore: wishing for one more visit.
35. "When I Get Where I'm Going", Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton: a peaceful picture of heaven.

Rock and classic picks

36. "Free Bird", Lynyrd Skynyrd: a long goodbye with a guitar finale.
37. "Simple Man", Lynyrd Skynyrd: a mother's advice to her son.
38. "Don't Stop Believin'", Journey: a crowd singalong.
39. "Wish You Were Here", Pink Floyd: written about missing a friend.
40. "Landslide", Fleetwood Mac: about change and time.

Gospel and New Orleans songs

41. "When the Saints Go Marching In": the jazz funeral classic.
42. "Just a Closer Walk with Thee": the slow hymn before the second line.
43. "I'll Fly Away", Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch: from O Brother, Where Art Thou?
44. "Oh Happy Day", The Edwin Hawkins Singers: joyful gospel.
45. "Amazing Grace": the hymn nearly everyone knows.

The New Orleans jazz funeral is the original celebration of life: the band plays slow hymns on the way to the cemetery, then breaks into upbeat songs like "When the Saints Go Marching In" on the way back, with a second line of dancers following.

How to plan the music

• Arrival: soft background music, such as acoustic covers or their favorite album.
• Slideshow: two or three songs that carry the photos from childhood to the last years.
• Stories and toasts: no music, or a quiet instrumental underneath.
• Closing: one big singalong everyone joins, such as "Sweet Caroline" or "Don't Stop Believin'".

For the slideshow, see our memorial slideshow songs.

Choose songs that sound like them

The best playlist sounds like the person. A fisherman's celebration might lean on country and Jimmy Buffett, a music lover's on the albums they played on repeat, a grandmother's on the Motown and doo-wop she danced to. Ask family and friends to suggest one song each and print the list in the program.

Non-religious songs

Many celebrations of life are not religious. "What a Wonderful World", "In My Life", "My Way", "Forever Young" and "Here Comes the Sun" carry meaning without hymns. If faith was central to their life, see our Christian funeral songs.

Songs for a mom or dad

For a mother, "Wind Beneath My Wings", "Simple Man" and "Humble and Kind" are favorites; for a father, "My Way", "Live Like You Were Dying" and "Forever Young". Often the right choice is simply the song they sang along to in the car.

Celebration of life vs funeral music

Traditional funeral music is slow and solemn; a celebration of life leans warm, upbeat and personal. If you are planning a more traditional service, see our full list of funeral songs. For comfort in the weeks after, see our songs about grief.

A song written about their life

The most personal song at a celebration of life is one written about them: their name, where they grew up, the people they loved and the jokes everyone still tells. Families play it during the slideshow and keep it for birthdays and anniversaries.

How to create a tribute song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: acoustic, country, pop and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three memories and what you want people to remember.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Celebrate their life with a song about them: create a song and hear four previews for free.