Funeral Songs for Mom

The death of a mother is unlike any other loss. As the person directly responsible for bringing you into the world, losing your mom also means losing a part of yourself. With her ends part of your own story, and this experience carries its own incomprehensible grief.

If your mother has recently passed away, you're likely battling feelings of sadness, confusion, anger and numbness. If you've been tasked with planning funeral arrangements, the stress can feel overwhelming. Of the many decisions you will have to make is which songs to play at the memorial. Here are our top five funerals songs for saying goodbye to incredible mothers.

1. "Slipping Through My Fingers" - ABBA

"Slipping Through My Fingers" is a classic ABBA hit that is written from a mother's perspective as she reflects on the qualities she sees in her daughter. Now that her daughter is grown, the mother reacts to the changes she sees in her little girl. As we age, time seems to slip by more and more rapidly. Seeing these changes in a loved one can be a proud moment, but it can also evoke wistful yearning for the past.

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture,

And save it from the funny tricks of time.

Slipping through my fingers...

While many of the lyrics seem melancholy, the song leaves listeners with the sweet message of the unconditional love a mother has for her daughter. Incorporate this song into the funeral of a mother for a memorable and touching service.

2. "I Will Always Love You" - Whitney Houston

Considered to be one of the most moving power ballads of all time, the title of this classic song speaks for itself. There are some loves that will never end, even in death. When a beloved mother passes away, it's a moment to realize that though your love for her is different without her physical presence, it is still real and powerful as love for the living.

Bittersweet memories,

That is all I'm taking with me.

So good-bye,

Please don't cry,

We both know I'm not what you, you need.

In the context of a funeral, the lyrics play out like a conversation between mother and child. The mother seems to be explaining that she must leave but will always love her children. The song is a lyrical masterpiece, with Whitney's haunting voice giving listeners chills. "I Will Always Love You" is a hopeful and heartwarming message to be shared with mourners of a mother.

3. "On Angel's Wings" - Karen Taylor Good

Karen Taylor Good wrote "On Angel's Wings," asking God why her once-brilliant mother is now suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and he answers:

She's gonna fly,

When her time here is through.

First she'll have to let go,

Of some things she can't use.

Cause people and places, memories and faces,

Are just way too heavy, it seems,

To carry on angel's wings.

Longer life expectancies mean more and more folks are experiencing the debilitating effects of living with Alzheimer's. This a particularly fitting tribute for a mother who enjoyed a long life. It gives hope that, while the end of her life was not without challenges, her legacy lives on in those left with memories of her.

4. "One Sweet Day" - Mariah Carey

For some people, it can be very reassurance to believe they will be reunited with loved ones in heaven. In this melancholy ballad, Mariah Carey shares about her heartbreak over losing a loved one; however, there is also a message of hope in the chorus:

And I know you're shining down on me from heaven

Like so many friends we've lost along the way

And I know eventually we'll be together

One sweet day.

For those who wish to be welcomed by their mother at heaven's gates, "One Sweet Day" offers hope of being reunited with her. Particularly if she believed in heaven, playing this song at the funeral of a mother who has passed can be a comfort for those who share similar beliefs.

5. "My Girl" - The Temptations

This motown standard exalts a world with that one special woman in it. No matter how bad things get, as long as the singer has his girl, he can get through anything. At a funeral service, this song is a reminder of a mother's special ability to influence the world around her for good. The fact that she has now passed away turns this classic love song into a melody of mourning.

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day,

When it's cold outside I've got the month of May.

Well I guess you'd say,

What can make me feel this way?

My girl,

Talkin' 'bout my girl,

My girl.

A final word

Not all songs played at a funeral need to be directly related to death or grief. In fact, more positive songs can be all the more touching. Celebrate the life of a special mother by playing songs that suit her musical tastes and personality.

Create an Obituary

If none of these options resonate with you, there are endless songs to choose from. Remember not to get caught up in the song selection process. The most important thing is that you are there to pay your respects and celebrate your mother's life.

Did you enjoy this article? Read other articles about the loss of a mother:

Obituary Template for Mother

'I'll Be Your New Mom': What Not to Say to an Orphan

I Got a Memorial Tattoo (Even Though Mom Would Have Hated It)

Getting Through Mother's Day