Popular Rock Songs for Funerals

With funeral services at funeral homes in Camillus, NY, there are many rock songs that can be used as music to pay tribute to a deceased loved one. These are the more popular choices, but they certainly do not encompass all the possibilities in the vast expanse of rock music.

One song is Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here.” From the 1975 album of the same name, “Wish You Were Here” expresses the heartbreak of losing someone in a mournful, yet respectful way. The song was written by Roger Waters and David Gilmour to lament the tragic decline of Syd Barrett, one of the founding members of the band.

Another song that is very popular for funeral services is “Dust in the Wind,” released in 1978 by Kansas. The song is about the temporariness of life and how fragile life is. The soaring violins that underpin this song make it both contemplative and beautiful.

“Funeral for a Friend” by Elton John is another popular rock song played at funerals. This track, from 1973’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, was written by John when he was thinking about the kind of music he would want played at his funeral.

Another song that is included in funeral services is Art Garfunkel’s “Bright Eyes.” The song was written for a British film called Watership Down, and is played during the film when the lead character, a rabbit named Hazel, almost dies. Garfunkel recorded the song in 1979 and included it on his solo album, Fate for Breakfast, and it became the best-selling single in the United Kingdom that year. The song was not as successful here in America, but the single made its way into hearts nonetheless.

The alternative band Deathcab for Cutie released a single called “I Will Follow You into the Dark” in 2006 that has become a popular song for funerals. The sentiment is one of love and eternal devotion to another person, whether that’s a spouse, a parent, or a sibling. It’s slightly upbeat melody begs the mourners not to mourn so hard because it’s going to be okay in the end.

“Fire and Rain” by James Taylor is another rock song that is often included in funeral services. Each verse in the song refers to a tragedy that Taylor himself experienced and all the verses echo the sense of loss. The first verse refers to Taylor finding out that a close friend, Suzanne, had committed suicide. The second verse is about Taylor’s heroin addiction. And the third verse refers to the time Taylor spent in a mental hospital, as well as an early band he formed called The Flying Machine. The grief and the loss in this song is unmistakable.

Puff Daddy, Faith Evans, and 112 teamed up in 1997 to record “I’ll be Missing You,” as a tribute to fellow rapper Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace after his murder. With the sample of The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” in the background, this song is both a song about grief and a song about hope, as at the very end, verses from the hymn, “I’ll Fly Away,” are interwoven. This has become a standard for use in funeral services, especially for people who die younger than expected.

For more ideas about music for funerals at funeral homes in Camillus, NY, our compassionate and experienced team at Bagozzi Twins Funeral Home, Inc. is here to help. You can visit our funeral home at 2601 Milton Ave., Solvay, NY 13209, or you can call us today at (315) 468-2431.