Music has a special ability to establish mood. If you’ve opted for an uplifting memorial, your music choices can help influence the tone of the ceremony. In this article, we hope to inspire a selection of celebration of life songs that contribute to a personalized and celebratory event.
Composing the Details
To help decide the appropriate genre and themes for your celebration of life songs, think about an event your loved one would have enjoyed. Would they want an upbeat gathering or a more tranquil get-together? Your celebration of life songs choices can match the tempo they would have enjoyed. In addition, incorporating songs that relate to your loved one’s own music tastes helps personalize your event to them. Did they enjoy dancing to country music or singing along with Disney tunes? These details can help determine the type of music you may want to hone in on.
Lyrics for Your Loved One
With mood in mind, you may also look into song lyrics and the story being told. Some celebrations of life are more sentimental and focus on the standout moments of a loved one’s life. Others may be quite light-hearted, with lyrics that are open to poking fun at how a loved one could be acting in the afterlife. Bottom line, there is no singular mood or playlist of celebration of life songs. Song choice might depend on the unique personality of the loved one you are celebrating.
Reflecting on a Life Well-Lived
You can find many classic and contemporary song choices that document lives lived to the fullest. These celebration of life songs help highlight the loved one who took advantage of every moment.
- I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance… I hope you dance…
- (I’ve Had) the Time of My Life – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
Now I’ve had the time of my life
No, I never felt like this before
Yes I swear, it’s the truth
And I owe it all to you
- Live Like You Were Dying – Tim McGraw
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying”
And he said
“Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying
- My Way – Elvis Presley
I’ll state my case of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I’ve traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
- I’m Gonna Live Until I Die – Frank Sinatra
Gonna dance, gonna fly
I’ll take a chance, ridin’ high
Before my number’s up, I’m gonna fill my cup
I’m gonna live, live, live, live, live until I die
Keeping Things Light-Hearted
Lighten has worked with many families to honor loved ones who were the “life-of-the-party” type. If you’re celebrating a family member who lived a laid back life, these non-traditional celebration of life songs may suit your event.
- Keg on My Coffin – The Push Stars
Put the keg on my coffin
And think of me every so often…
And smile and know I loved you ’til the end
- I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead – Bon Jovi
Until I’m six feet under
Baby, I don’t need a bed
Gonna live while I’m alive
A Personalized Playlist
For many families we work with, the most important part of a celebration of life is customizing the event to the life being honored. Whether your loved one was a fan of classic rock or country, there are celebration of life songs to match their favorite genre.
For the country connoisseur:
- When I Get Where I’m Going – Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton
Yeah, when I get where I’m going
Well, there’ll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles…
Don’t cry for me down here
- Give Heaven Some Hell – Hardy
I hope you hit those gold streets on two wheels
I hope your mansion in the sky’s got a ten-acre field…
Crank it loud, hold it down ’til I get there
And when I do, I hope you got some new stories to tell
‘Til then, give Heaven some hell
For the Disney lover:
- You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins (from the Tarzan Soundtrack)
This bond between us
Can’t be broken
I will be here don’t you cry
‘Cause you’ll be in my heart
- Remember Me (from the Coco Soundtrack)
Remember me
Though I have to say goodbye
Remember me
Don’t let it make you cry
For ever if I’m far away
I hold you in my heart
For the classic rocker:
- Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum
When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that’s the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
- Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd
‘Cause I’m as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
- Glory Days – Bruce Springsteen
Glory days yeah they’ll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl’s eye
Glory days, glory days
Your Queue of Celebration of Life Songs
Choosing a significant celebration of life song to play during a special moment at a memorial, such as a photo slideshow, can also be a beautiful memento for your attendees. A symbolic song can be a positive memory and remembrance of a loved one for attendees when they hear it afterward.
We hope to have given you some inspiration as you begin to build a queue of celebration of life songs. As you do so, remember that Lighten can be your guide in planning a custom, uplifting celebration of life for your loved one. Contact us to speak with a dedicated planning team member to talk about the format, program, and music, too.
