The first decade of the 2000s (2000-2010) brought us a wealth of emotional and reflective music that resonates with themes of love, loss, and remembrance, making them perfect for funerals, memorials, or celebrations of life. Whether you’re seeking a way to honor a loved one’s memory or looking for comfort during difficult times, the music from this decade offers heartfelt lyrics and melodies that provide solace. In this post, we’ve selected 25 songs from the 2000s, each with its first verse and an explanation of why it’s a suitable choice for paying tribute to a loved one.
See also:
- Songs from the 1940s suitable for funeral
- Songs from the 1950s suitable for funeral
- Songs from the 1960s suitable for funeral
- Songs from the 1970s suitable for funeral
- Songs from the 1980s suitable for funeral
- Songs from the 1990s suitable for funeral
- Songs from the 2000s suitable for funeral (this post)
- Songs from the 2010s suitable for funeral
1. “The Scientist” – Coldplay (2002)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Come up to meet you, tell you I’m sorry
You don’t know how lovely you are.”
Why it’s suitable:
This poignant song about reflection and regret resonates with feelings of loss, making it a deeply emotional choice for a memorial service.
2. “Hurt” – Johnny Cash (2002)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel.”
Why it’s suitable:
Cash’s haunting cover of this song speaks to deep emotional pain and loss, offering a powerful reflection on grief and the passage of time.
3. “Wake Me Up When September Ends” – Green Day (2004)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Summer has come and passed,
The innocent can never last.”
Why it’s suitable:
Written in memory of the lead singer’s father, this song touches on themes of loss, grief, and the passing of time, making it a heartfelt tribute.
4. “Fix You” – Coldplay (2005)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“When you try your best, but you don’t succeed,
When you get what you want, but not what you need.”
Why it’s suitable:
With its message of comfort and healing, “Fix You” is a beautiful choice for offering hope and support during a difficult time of loss.
5. “If I Die Young” – The Band Perry (2010)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“If I die young, bury me in satin,
Lay me down on a bed of roses.”
Why it’s suitable:
This song speaks to the fragility of life and the sadness of a life cut short, making it a poignant choice for a funeral, particularly for younger individuals.
6. “Who You’d Be Today” – Kenny Chesney (2005)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Sunny days seem to hurt the most,
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.”
Why it’s suitable:
A song about the loss of someone taken too soon, it reflects on the pain of wondering what life could have been, offering a touching tribute for a memorial.
7. “I Miss You” – Miley Cyrus (2007)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Sha la la la la,
Sha la la la la.”
Why it’s suitable:
With simple yet heartfelt lyrics, this song speaks to the longing and sadness of missing someone who has passed, making it a gentle and emotional choice for a funeral.
8. “Slipped Away” – Avril Lavigne (2004)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I miss you, miss you so bad,
I don’t forget you, oh, it’s so sad.”
Why it’s suitable:
A personal song about the loss of a loved one, “Slipped Away” captures the deep sadness and longing that accompany grief, making it a fitting tribute.
9. “Gone Too Soon” – Daughtry (2009)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Today could have been the day
That you blow out your candles.”
Why it’s suitable:
Reflecting on a life that ended too soon, this song offers a touching tribute to someone who left the world before their time, making it a heartfelt choice for a memorial.
10. “Let It Be” – Hayley Westenra (2007)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“When I find myself in times of trouble,
Mother Mary comes to me.”
Why it’s suitable:
A cover of the classic Beatles song, Westenra’s version brings a peaceful, angelic quality, making it a comforting and serene choice for a funeral or memorial service.
11. “Jealous” – Labrinth (2014)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I’m jealous of the rain
That falls upon your skin.”
Why it’s suitable:
This emotional ballad expresses longing and heartache after the loss of a loved one, offering a raw and powerful reflection on grief.
12. “The A Team” – Ed Sheeran (2011)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“White lips, pale face
Breathing in snowflakes.”
Why it’s suitable:
Though it tells a tragic story, “The A Team” offers a reflective and compassionate tone, making it a thoughtful choice for a service honoring someone’s memory.
13. “Dancing in the Sky” – Dani and Lizzy (2013)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Tell me, what does it look like in heaven?
Is it peaceful? Is it free like they say?”
Why it’s suitable:
This tender song asks questions about the afterlife, providing a comforting and hopeful perspective for those mourning the loss of a loved one.
14. “In the Arms of an Angel” – Sarah McLachlan (2007)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance.”
Why it’s suitable:
Known for its calming and comforting tone, this song offers peace and solace to those grieving, making it a perfect choice for a funeral or memorial service.
15. “Say Something” – A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera (2013)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Say something, I’m giving up on you.”
Why it’s suitable:
This emotional ballad captures the feelings of helplessness and grief after loss, offering a poignant reflection on unspoken words and goodbyes.
16. “Lullaby” – Nickelback (2011)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Well, I know the feeling
Of finding yourself stuck out on the ledge.”
Why it’s suitable:
With its message of comfort and reassurance, “Lullaby” offers hope and support for those going through difficult times, making it a compassionate funeral song.
17. “Broken” – Lifehouse (2007)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“The broken clock is a comfort,
It helps me sleep tonight.”
Why it’s suitable:
This song reflects on pain, loss, and the struggle to move forward, making it a relatable and emotional choice for a memorial or funeral.
18. “Heaven” – Beyoncé (2013)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I fought for you
The hardest, it made me the strongest.”
Why it’s suitable:
This heartfelt song captures the deep emotions of losing someone, offering a tribute to the strength and love shared with a loved one.
19. “Gone” – N*SYNC (2001)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“There’s a thousand words that I could say
To make you come home.”
Why it’s suitable:
Reflecting on the pain of losing someone, “Gone” speaks to the feelings of emptiness and longing that accompany grief, making it a moving funeral song.
20. “See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth (2015)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“It’s been a long day without you, my friend,
And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again.”
Why it’s suitable:
With its message of reunion and remembrance, this song is a powerful tribute to a loved one, offering hope that we’ll meet again in the future.
21. “Not About Angels” – Birdy (2014)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“We know full well there’s just time
So is it wrong to toss this line?”
Why it’s suitable:
This song reflects on the delicate nature of life and love, offering a gentle, emotional tribute to someone who has passed.
22. “The Night We Met” – Lord Huron (2015)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I am not the only traveler
Who has not repaid his debt.”
Why it’s suitable:
This reflective song explores themes of loss, regret, and longing, making it a fitting choice for a funeral or memorial.
24. “Ordinary People” – John Legend (2004)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Girl, I’m in love with you,
This ain’t the honeymoon, past the infatuation phase.”
Why it’s suitable:
This song reflects on the complexities of relationships and the beauty of shared experiences, offering a gentle and heartfelt tribute to someone whose love shaped your life.
25. “Heaven” – Los Lonely Boys (2004)
Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Vamanos!”
“Save me from this prison,
Lord, help me get away.”
Why it’s suitable:
With its prayerful tone and message of seeking peace and comfort, “Heaven” offers hope in the face of loss, making it a poignant and uplifting choice for a funeral or memorial service.
The songs from the 2000s offer a variety of emotional tones, from reflection to comfort and even hope. These tracks, whether speaking to the sadness of loss or the joy of remembering a life well-lived, provide a meaningful way to honor and pay tribute to a loved one at a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life. Whether you’re seeking to express your grief or celebrate precious memories, these songs offer solace and connection during difficult times.
