Sinatra's "My Way" Tops List of Most Popular Funeral Songs

April 16, 2009

Not trying to be a downer or anything, but I genuinely find this interesting: In a recent poll coming out of Britain, voters declared Frank Sinatra's "My Way" to be the most popular non-classical, non-religious song to play at funerals. The others in the top five make sense — "Wind Beneath My Wings," "Time To Say Goodbye," "Angels," and "Over The Rainbow," in order — but some of the other favorites are amusing. It makes me wonder, is it nicer to have a serious and sentimental song at a funeral? Or something more lighthearted?

Apparently, "AC/DC's 'Highway to Hell' has stormed into the funeral charts along with Queen's 'Another One Bites The Dust,'" and even the theme song to "The Benny Hill Show" was mentioned. Personally, I think my pick right now would be "Break on Through (to the Other Side)" by the Doors. Any other suggestions?

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3 years 30 weeks

My bf's mother pasted away a few weeks ago and the funeral is coming up next weekend. It's really sad for me to see the family and the way they cope with the lost of their mom. I'm trying to make a cd of "songs for mama". The one I like most is "She's got a way" by Billy Joel. It's my fav and I've considered this to be my funeral song last year when my bf's sis-in-law pasted away. It's been tough for them.

kscincotta 4 years 5 weeks

At my best friend's mom's funeral this past week, they played "Stairway to Heaven" which was very fitting for her.

spacebear 4 years 5 weeks

i always wanted "In My Life" by the beatles to be played at mine. some others are "My Sweet Lord" by george harrison, The River from Garth Brooks and "When I Get Where I'm Going" by Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton. Then maybe something crazy silly and upbeat- like by the muppets (althoug not rainbow connection - thats kinda sad)

yellinln 4 years 5 weeks

"The Long and Winding Road" by the Beatles

fleurfairy 4 years 5 weeks

"How Great Thou Art" was my grandfather's favorite church hymn, so that was what the choir sang at his funeral. I prefer the classic Protestant hymns for funerals even though I'm Catholic.

CaterpillarGirl 4 years 5 weeks

If I did play "my way" it would be the Sid Vicious version, not Franks. Songs at a funeral. hmmm. I would say my lineup would be: "Dont Change" by INXS. good message about not changing your life because someone is gone. "Cant Smile Without You" by Barry Manilow....Just kidding, that would be heinously mean! "Dont Stop Me Now" By Queen. Cmon its an amazing uplifting song! The ones I would ban would be "dust in the wind" so cheesy and predictable and depressing as heck. "freebird" cause its also predictable. and any power ballad ever.

Jinx 4 years 5 weeks

I want the following played at my funeral: Everytime We Say Good Bye /Simply Red Forever Young /Bob Dylan I Can See Clearly Now /Jimmy Cliff Breath Me /Sia Not that I've given it alot of thought.... :rotfl:

jules0701 4 years 5 weeks

My mom

jules0701 4 years 5 weeks

My has already picked out her funeral song it is an instrumental piece from a soundtrack but she loves b/c it is upbeat. She will put it on and dance around and say don't forget to play this at my funeral. She is crazy. If i had to choose a song for myself, it would be Float On by Modest Mouse. Totally Morbid conversation for a friday morning.

WhatMeWorry 4 years 5 weeks

For me it should be "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" (Monty Python). But then, I'm slightly bent.

sfprgirl 4 years 5 weeks

"Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2. That's what I would like to be sent off to.

lickety split 4 years 5 weeks

Adagio for Strings (Tiësto).

Deidre 4 years 5 weeks

Funny -- this is my wedding song (nothing about the lyrical content, it's just got a lot of good memories for me and the fiance so it ended up as our song).

GKitty 4 years 5 weeks

At my mom's funeral "Unforgettable" by Nat Cole was played. For my dad, jazz selections from Miles Davis.

jadenirvana 4 years 5 weeks

I would choose "Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison. At my dad's we had George Winston "January Stars", also beautiful. In fact, its my ring tone!

lillis 4 years 5 weeks

I don't know what mine would be, but my mom has been very clear on her choice since the 80's, Guns 'n Roses' November Rain, which reminds me of her every time I hear it. My dad has said that he wants What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong, which I think is a wonderful choice. When my friend passed away due to eating disorders a few years ago we played My Immortal by Evanescence, which just portrayed what we were all feeling at the time...

POPSUGAR Entertainment 4 years 5 weeks

wackdoodle, such great song selections. I started to tear up a bit just reading about your mother's memorial song — I think "I Just Called to Say I Love You" is a beautiful song.

wackdoodle 4 years 5 weeks

My song I hope will be either "Dust In The Wind" cause everyone in my family can sing that song from memory. Or "D'yer Maker" by Led Zepplin, just for fun. But I suspect if my sister planned the thing she have them play Donna Summer's "Bad Girl" cause I used to boogie down on my roller skates to that when I was tiny.

wackdoodle 4 years 5 weeks

My mom's memorial song was "I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder because she really loved that song and she really did call up her friends and family just to say that she loved them. 23 years later I can finally listen to that song without breaking down in tears - I smile now when I hear it. My brother-in-law's memorial song was "Somewhere (there's a place for us)" as sung by Barbra Streisand. He loved Barbra (yes it's Bar- Bra not Bar-ba-ra) and he loved that album and that song. And the problem is now 10+ years later no one who was at his service can listen to that song or watch West Side Story without bawling. It's a haunting song.

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