Songs From the 2010s Suitable for a Funeral

The 2010s brought us a wave of emotionally charged and reflective music, much of it dealing with themes of love, loss, hope, and remembrance. These songs provide comfort and offer a way to honor those who have passed, making them perfect for funerals, memorials, or celebrations of life. In this post, we’ve selected 25 songs from the 2010s, each with its first verse and an explanation of why it’s suitable for paying tribute to a loved one.

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25 Songs from the 2010s to Play at a Funeral

The 2010s brought us a wave of emotionally charged and reflective music, much of it dealing with themes of love, loss, and remembrance. These songs provide a heartfelt way to honor loved ones at funerals, memorials, or celebrations of life. Whether you’re searching for comfort, seeking to reflect on life’s journey, or wishing to celebrate someone’s memory, the music from this decade offers powerful emotional depth. In this post, we’ve gathered 25 songs from the 2010s, including their first verse and an explanation of why they are suitable for a funeral.

1. “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:
This song speaks about the pain of losing someone and the hope of reuniting in the future. It’s an emotional tribute to those we’ve lost and a reminder that love transcends time.

2. “Someone You Loved” – Lewis Capaldi (2019)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I’m going under, and this time I fear there’s no one to save me.”

Why it’s suitable:
This song captures the deep emotions of grief and heartbreak, expressing the profound impact someone’s absence can leave behind, making it a heartfelt choice for a funeral.

3. “Supermarket Flowers” – Ed Sheeran (2017)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill,
I threw the day-old tea from the cup.”

Why it’s suitable:
Written in memory of his grandmother, this song offers a personal and touching reflection on loss, making it a beautiful tribute for remembering loved ones.

4. “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 touching song contemplates the afterlife and offers comfort by imagining a loved one in a peaceful place, making it a perfect choice for those seeking solace during a funeral.

5. “Jealous” – Labrinth (2014)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I’m jealous of the rain
That falls upon your skin.”

Why it’s suitable:
“Jealous” reflects on the longing and heartache that comes with losing someone, offering a raw and emotional tribute to someone deeply missed.

6. “When We Were Young” – Adele (2015)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Everybody loves the things you do,
From the way you talk to the way you move.”

Why it’s suitable:
Adele’s song reminisces about special moments and the passage of time, making it a reflective and tender song for a celebration of life or a memorial.

7. “Ghost” – Justin Bieber (2021)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Youngblood thinks there’s always tomorrow.”

Why it’s suitable:
This song captures the emotional pain of missing someone while holding on to the memories of a life shared together, making it a heartfelt and personal funeral choice.

8. “A Thousand Years” – Christina Perri (2011)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Heart beats fast
Colors and promises.”

Why it’s suitable:
This song’s message of eternal love and devotion makes it a beautiful way to express lasting memories and unending affection for someone who has passed away.

9. “I’ll Follow You” – Shinedown (2013)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“If I could find assurance to leave you behind
I know my better half would fade.”

Why it’s suitable:
“I’ll Follow You” speaks to the enduring bonds of love, even beyond life, making it a powerful choice for a memorial or funeral service.

10. “Forever Now” – Michael Bublé (2018)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I just met you,
It seems like yesterday.”

Why it’s suitable:
This reflective song speaks to the fleeting nature of time and the everlasting impact of love, making it a heartfelt tribute to a loved one.

11. “Heaven” – Beyoncé (2013)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I fought for you
The hardest, it made me the strongest.”

Why it’s suitable:
This touching song captures the emotions of losing someone dear and the strength found in love, offering a poignant and powerful message of resilience.

12. “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:
A gentle and emotional reflection on love and loss, “Not About Angels” offers a quiet tribute to someone whose life touched others deeply.

13. “Let Her Go” – Passenger (2012)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Well, you only need the light when it’s burning low,
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow.”

Why it’s suitable:
This song’s message of realizing what we’ve lost after it’s gone resonates deeply, making it a thoughtful choice for reflecting on a loved one’s impact.

14. “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 song reflects on regret, loss, and longing, offering a contemplative atmosphere perfect for a memorial service.

15. “Rise Up” – Andra Day (2015)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“You’re broken down and tired
Of living life on a merry-go-round.”

Why it’s suitable:
“Rise Up” is an uplifting and empowering song that offers hope and strength in the face of adversity, making it a comforting choice for those grieving.

16. “Say You Won’t Let Go” – James Arthur (2016)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I met you in the dark, you lit me up.”

Why it’s suitable:
A song about love and devotion, this track captures the sentiment of cherishing memories and holding on to the ones we love, making it a tender funeral tribute.

17. “Hold On” – Chord Overstreet (2017)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Loving and fighting, accusing, denying,
I can’t imagine a world with you gone.”

Why it’s suitable:
“Hold On” speaks to the emotional toll of losing someone, offering a powerful reflection on love, pain, and the struggle to move forward.

18. “Human” – Rag’n’Bone Man (2016)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Maybe I’m foolish, maybe I’m blind.”

Why it’s suitable:
This song captures the vulnerability of being human and the struggles we face, making it a poignant choice for reflecting on life and loss.

19. “In My Blood” – Shawn Mendes (2018)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Help me, it’s like the walls are caving in.”

Why it’s suitable:
A song about fighting through difficult times, “In My Blood” is a raw and powerful track that captures the emotional journey of overcoming grief.

20. “Small Bump” – Ed Sheeran (2011)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“You’re just a small bump unborn,
In four months you’re brought to life.”

Why it’s suitable:
This tender song reflects on the fragility of life and the pain of loss, offering a heartfelt tribute for those mourning the loss of a child or loved one.

21. “Too Good at Goodbyes” – Sam Smith (2017)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“You must think that I’m stupid,
You must think that I’m a fool.”

Why it’s suitable:
A song about heartache and letting go, “Too Good at Goodbyes” speaks to the pain of parting, offering a tender reflection on loss and healing.

22. “Save Myself” – Ed Sheeran (2017)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I gave all my oxygen to people that could breathe.”

Why it’s suitable:
This reflective song captures the struggle of selflessness and exhaustion, offering a tribute to those who gave their all to others in life.

23. “Homesick” – Dua Lipa (2017)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Here, where the sky’s falling,
I’m covered in blue.”

Why it’s suitable:
This emotional ballad speaks to the pain of separation and the longing for home, making it a powerful tribute for those who are missed deeply.

24. “Lost Without You” – Freya Ridings (2017)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“Standing on the platform, watching you go,
It’s like no other pain I’ve ever known.”

Why it’s suitable:
This haunting song expresses the deep heartache of losing someone and the feeling of being lost in their absence, making it a fitting funeral choice.

25. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” – Miley Cyrus (2018)

Lyrics (1st Verse):
“I can’t light no more of your darkness,
All my pictures seem to fade to black and white.”

Why it’s suitable:
Miley’s version of this classic song is filled with emotional depth, making it a powerful choice for a memorial or funeral, offering both a reflection on loss and a sense of closure.

These songs from the 2010s offer a range of emotions, from heartache to hope and reflection, making them a meaningful way to honor and remember a loved one. Whether you’re seeking comfort in times of grief or celebrating the beautiful memories shared, these songs provide a heartfelt soundtrack for funerals, memorials, and celebrations of life.

Want just the basic list? Here it is: