40 Songs About Death, Dying and What Comes After

What is the most famous song about death?

"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan and "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Öyster Cult are the most famous rock songs about death, and "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton is the most moving. "Hurt", recorded by Johnny Cash near the end of his life, and "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum show two very different ways of facing it.

Famous songs about death

1. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", Bob Dylan: a dying lawman's last words, from a western film.
2. "Don't Fear the Reaper", Blue Öyster Cult: a calm look at the inevitable.
3. "Tears in Heaven", Eric Clapton: written after the death of his son.
4. "Hurt", Johnny Cash: a man looking back on his whole life.
5. "Spirit in the Sky", Norman Greenbaum: an upbeat song about going to heaven.
6. "Who Wants to Live Forever", Queen: about love and mortality.
7. "Dust in the Wind", Kansas: about how brief life is.
8. "Seasons in the Sun", Terry Jacks: a dying man saying goodbye.
9. "Stairway to Heaven", Led Zeppelin: a spiritual rock epic.
10. "American Pie", Don McLean: inspired by the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly.

Story songs and ballads

11. "Leader of the Pack", The Shangri-Las: the 60s teen tragedy song.
12. "Last Kiss", J. Frank Wilson: a car crash ballad later covered by Pearl Jam.
13. "He Stopped Loving Her Today", George Jones: love that lasted until the end.
14. "Whiskey Lullaby", Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss: a heartbreaking duet.
15. "Eleanor Rigby", The Beatles: a lonely life and a lonely funeral.
16. "Candle in the Wind", Elton John: written about Marilyn Monroe, later rewritten for Princess Diana.
17. "Long Black Veil", Lefty Frizzell: a classic country murder ballad.
18. "Tom Dooley", The Kingston Trio: the old folk ballad.

Songs about facing death

19. "Live Like You Were Dying", Tim McGraw: what a diagnosis teaches about living.
20. "When I Get Where I'm Going", Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton: a peaceful picture of heaven.
21. "If I Die Young", The Band Perry: a young woman imagining her own goodbye.
22. "I Will Follow You into the Dark", Death Cab for Cutie: love beyond the end.
23. "Lazarus", David Bowie: released weeks before his death.
24. "You Want It Darker", Leonard Cohen: from the album released weeks before his death.
25. "Time", Pink Floyd: about time running out.

Songs about the afterlife

26. "I'll Fly Away": the joyful gospel song.
27. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot": the spiritual about going home.
28. "Will the Circle Be Unbroken", The Carter Family: the country gospel classic.
29. "I Can Only Imagine", MercyMe: wonder at what comes next.
30. "Go Rest High on That Mountain", Vince Gill: the country goodbye.
31. "Holes in the Floor of Heaven", Steve Wariner: the idea that they are still watching.
32. "One Sweet Day", Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men: about meeting again someday.

For more, see our list of songs about heaven.

Songs about losing someone

33. "See You Again", Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth: a goodbye to a friend.
34. "Supermarket Flowers", Ed Sheeran: the small moments after a loss.
35. "Wake Me Up When September Ends", Green Day: grief that returns every year.
36. "I'll Be Missing You", Puff Daddy and Faith Evans: a tribute to a friend.
37. "Who You'd Be Today", Kenny Chesney: imagining a life cut short.
38. "Gone Too Soon", Michael Jackson: dedicated to Ryan White, a teenager who died of AIDS.

For songs to help while you grieve, see our list of songs about grief.

Classical music about death

39. "Lacrimosa", from Mozart's Requiem: the work he left unfinished at his death.
40. "Adagio for Strings", Samuel Barber: played at many state memorials.

Why are there so many songs about death?

Death is the one experience everyone shares, and music gives people a way to talk about it when words fail. Some songs make it gentle ("Spirit in the Sky"), some make it honest ("Hurt") and some turn it into a story ("Leader of the Pack"). Listening can help us feel less alone with our own fears and losses.

Songs about death for a funeral

Not every song on this list belongs at a funeral: story songs and murder ballads are better left for another day. For a service, choose comforting songs like "I'll Fly Away", "Go Rest High on That Mountain" and "Tears in Heaven". See our full list of funeral songs.

Upbeat songs for a celebration of life

Some songs face death with a smile: "Spirit in the Sky", "I'll Fly Away" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" are favorites for a celebration of life, especially for someone who would have wanted people singing instead of crying. For more, see our celebration of life songs.

Country songs about death

Country music has always faced death head-on: "He Stopped Loving Her Today", "Whiskey Lullaby", "Go Rest High on That Mountain", "Live Like You Were Dying" and "When I Get Where I'm Going" are among the most loved.

When thinking about death feels heavy

If thoughts about death are weighing on you, please talk to someone you trust. In the US, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any hour. For gentler music, see our songs about hope.

A song about someone's life

For a memorial, a personalized song can celebrate a whole life: their name, where they came from, the people they loved and the stories everyone still tells. Families play it at the service and keep it for anniversaries.

How to create a memorial song

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2. Add their name.
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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 in a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.