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9 Best Non-Religious Funeral Songs

For those seeking a non-religious approach to commemorating a life, music can serve as a universal touchstone for grief and remembrance. This page gathers a range of songs specifically selected for non-religious funeral services, offering an emotive backdrop for a secular farewell.

Below shows the following songs on the page: My Way, You Raise Me Up, Tears in Heaven, Wind Beneath My Wings, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Hallelujah, Fix You, Angels, Don't Stop Believin'.

1) My Way

Song Written by Frank Sinatra

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2) You Raise Me Up

Song Written by Josh Groban
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up to more than I can be

3) Tears in Heaven

Song Written by Eric Clapton
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong
And carry on
'Cause I know, I don't belong
Here in heaven
Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way
Through night and day
'Cause I know, I just can't stay
Here in heaven
Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please
Beyond the door
There's peace, I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more
Tears in heaven
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong
And carry on
'Cause I know, I don't belong
Here in heaven
'Cause I know, I don't belong
Here in heaven
Thank you

4) Wind Beneath My Wings

Song Written by Wind Beneath My Wings
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
It must have been cold there in my shadow
To never have sunlight on your face
You've been content to let me shine
You always walked a step behind

So I was the one with all the glory
While you were the one with all the strength
A beautiful face without a name
For so long, a beautiful smile to hide the pain

Did you ever know that you're my hero?
And everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle
'Cause you are the wind beneath my wings
'Cause you are the wind beneath my wings

Oh, the wind beneath my wings
You, you, you
You are the wind beneath my wings

Fly, fly, fly away
You let me fly so high
Oh, you, you, you
The wind beneath my wings
Oh, you, you, you
The wind beneath my wings
Fly, fly, fly high against the sky
So high I almost touch the sky
Thank you, thank you
Thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings

5) Bridge Over Troubled Water

Song Written by Simon & Garfunkel
When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all
I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out, when you're on the street
When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you
I'll take your part when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on, silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

6) Hallelujah

Song Written by Leonard Cohen
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips, she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well, really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light in every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

7) Fix You

Song Written by Coldplay
When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try, you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I

Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

8) Angels

Song Written by Robbie Williams
I sit and wait
Does an angel contemplate my fate?
And do they know
The places where we go when we're gray and old?
'Cause I've been told
That salvation lets their wings unfold
So when I'm lying in my bed
Thoughts running through my head
And I feel that love is dead
I'm loving angels instead

And through it all
She offers me protection, a lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me, I know that life won't break me
When I come to call, she won't forsake me
I'm loving angels instead

When I'm feeling weak
And my pain walks down a one-way street
I look above
And I know I'll always be blessed with love
And as the feeling grows
She breathes flesh to my bones
And when love is dead
I'm loving angels instead

And through it all
She offers me protection, a lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me, I know that life won't break me
When I come to call, she won't forsake me
I'm loving angels instead

And through it all
She offers me protection, a lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me, I know that life won't break me
When I come to call, she won't forsake me
I'm loving angels instead

9) Don't Stop Believin'

Song Written by Journey
Just a small town girl
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train going anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train going anywhere
A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers waitin'
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searchin' in the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Workin' hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin' anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some'll win, some will lose
Some are born to sing the blues
Whoa, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers waitin'
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searchin' in the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlights, people

Popular Songs

This section explores popular songs that are often chosen for funeral ceremonies.
Jerusalem
Remember Me
How Long Will I Love You
Bring Him Home
Abide With Me
The Carnival Is Over
Spirit In The Sky
Pie Jesu