40 Funeral Songs for a Brother, from a Sister or a Brother

What is a good song for a brother who passed away?

"Go Rest High on That Mountain" by Vince Gill is the song most often played for a brother: he finished writing it after his own brother died. "Over You", written by Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton about the brother Blake lost as a teenager, and "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth are the modern favorites. For a classic, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" by The Hollies says it in the title.

The best song is often the one that belonged to him: the one he played too loud, sang in the car or put on at every party. Start there, then use the lists below to fill the rest of the service.

Songs written about losing a brother

1. "Go Rest High on That Mountain", Vince Gill: begun after Keith Whitley's death and finished after the loss of his brother.
2. "Over You", Miranda Lambert: written with Blake Shelton about the brother he lost in a car accident.
3. "See You Again", Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth: written for the tribute to Paul Walker, about friends who became brothers.
4. "I Drive Your Truck", Lee Brice: keeping him close by driving the truck he left behind.
5. "Drink a Beer", Luke Bryan: sung by an artist who lost a brother and a sister, for everyone gone too soon.
6. "He Was My Brother", Simon & Garfunkel: an early Paul Simon song about a brother who died for what he believed in.

Classic songs for a brother's funeral

7. "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", The Hollies: the anthem of brotherhood.
8. "Brothers in Arms", Dire Straits: for a brother who served, or who always stood beside you.
9. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", Bob Dylan: simple and universal.
10. "Wish You Were Here", Pink Floyd: about missing someone.
11. "Free Bird", Lynyrd Skynyrd: for a free spirit.
12. "Stairway to Heaven", Led Zeppelin: for the brother who taught you rock music.
13. "Lean on Me", Bill Withers: for the brother you could always call.
14. "Bridge Over Troubled Water", Simon & Garfunkel: about being there in hard times.
15. "Forever Young", Rod Stewart: for a younger brother.
16. "Hallelujah", Leonard Cohen, or the Jeff Buckley version.

Country songs about losing a brother

17. "Who You'd Be Today", Kenny Chesney: imagining the man he would be now.
18. "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away", Justin Moore: wishing for one more visit.
19. "One More Day", Diamond Rio: asking for one more day together.
20. "What Hurts the Most", Rascal Flatts: about the words left unsaid.
21. "Live Like You Were Dying", Tim McGraw: for a brother who lived every day fully.
22. "Holes in the Floor of Heaven", Steve Wariner: the idea that he is still watching.
23. "Angels Among Us", Alabama: about the people who carry us.
24. "The Dance", Garth Brooks: grateful for every moment.

Modern songs about losing a brother

25. "Hey Brother", Avicii: a promise to always be there.
26. "Brother", Kodaline: about friends who are family.
27. "Brother", NEEDTOBREATHE featuring Gavin DeGraw: for the one who had your back.
28. "Fix You", Coldplay: comfort for the family.
29. "Gone Too Soon", Daughtry: for a life cut short.
30. "Dancing in the Sky", Dani and Lizzy: imagining him happy and free.
31. "My Immortal", Evanescence: grief that does not fade.
32. "One More Light", Linkin Park: about how much one life matters.

Hip-hop songs for a brother

33. "I'll Be Missing You", Puff Daddy and Faith Evans: the tribute to The Notorious B.I.G.
34. "Tha Crossroads", Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: for friends and family who went before.
35. "Life Goes On", 2Pac: about remembering the ones you lost.
36. "Thugz Mansion", 2Pac: a picture of peace after this life.

Faith songs for a brother's funeral

37. "I Can Only Imagine", MercyMe: wonder at where he is now.
38. "Amazing Grace": the hymn almost every family knows.
39. "I'll Fly Away": an uplifting gospel song for the end of the service.
40. "How Great Thou Art": a hymn of praise and hope.

For a church service, see our list of Christian funeral songs.

Songs for a brother from a sister

Sisters often choose songs that hold both the protectiveness and the teasing: "Hey Brother", "Over You", "Angels Among Us" and "Who You'd Be Today". If he was your big brother, "Lean on Me" and "Brothers in Arms" honor the one who looked out for you. If he was your little brother, "Forever Young" and "Gone Too Soon" fit better.

Songs for a brother from a brother

Brothers tend to pick the songs they shared: the band you saw together, the album that lived in the car. If nothing comes to mind, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", "I Drive Your Truck", "Drink a Beer" and "Brothers in Arms" say what is hard to say out loud. More ideas in our songs about brothers and songs for siblings.

Songs for a brother who served

Military honors usually include "Taps". Families often add "Brothers in Arms", "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes or "I Drive Your Truck", which was inspired by a Gold Star family. Ask the funeral home how military honors fit into the order of service.

Songs for his celebration of life

If he would have hated a sad service, play his songs: the ones he blasted, sang badly and made everyone listen to. "Free Bird", "Life Goes On" and "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" let people smile through the tears. Our funeral and memorial service songs list has more uplifting picks.

Songs for a brother's memorial slideshow

Three songs cover about 150 photos. Start with "Forever Young" over childhood pictures, move to "Brother" by NEEDTOBREATHE for the teenage and adult years and finish with "See You Again" over the most recent photos. Timing tips are in our guide to memorial slideshow songs.

How to choose a song for your brother

• Start with his music: check his playlists, his car and his social media for the songs he played most.
• Ask his friends: they often know the song that belonged to him.
• Read the lyrics: some songs that sound right are really about breakups.
• Share the choice: let the family pick one song and his friends pick another.

A song written about your brother

Sometimes no existing song says it. A personalized song can tell his story: his name, the nickname only you used, the trip you took together, the way he laughed. Families play it at the service or the reception and keep it for his birthday. See our guide to a memorial song for a brother.

How to create a song in memory of your brother

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: country, rock, acoustic, pop and more.
2. Add his name.
3. Share three memories, the things he loved and what you want to say to him.
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 you can share with family and the lyrics as a PDF for the program.

Tell his story in a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.