Any ideas of funeral songs for an elderly parent's service?

I googled 'funeral songs ' and a whole list of them came up. I'm planning my own funeral so that noone is left with this to do. I'm from a large country type family and I've done all the funeral services for all of them because noone else would take the time to do so. I'm 80 years old and I've been through (and still going through) many illnesses myself, so I thought it best to take care of as much as possible before I leave here. After that they're on their own. I try to teach them as much as I can, but I'm ill and getting tired.
God bless you, my friend! 🙏🏻🙏🏻

We are Travelers on a Journey.
Youtube it.

My mom loved happy music - she loved a good polka. She was also very religious. I have a dear musician-friend who was raised in the spirited Pentecostal tradition try parents were mainline Protestant), so I asked him to play the piano for the service. He played our selections for her memorial service in very heartfelt ways - we used printed the words and everyone sang with a lot of gusto with the upbeat tunes and more reflectively for the one that was played during communion (her favorite, "Old Rugged Cross"). The upbeat ones were "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" and "Victory in Jesus". We also sang "Blest Be the Tie that Binds" (at my dad's request for her service). We didn't sing my favorite, though - "I'll Fly Away".

Very sorry for your loss. My mother died at 95 in September and we also had to decide on the music. We chose uplifting hymns from her denomination's hymnal: "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God"; "All Things Bright and Beautiful"; "Holy Father, Great Creator." These were all hymns that she enjoyed singing and playing on the piano. I hope you discover just the right music for the service you are planning. Many hugs.

My Husband was a Cubs fan.
At the Funeral home I had several songs going along with photos that were shown. The songs I had were..
Dying Cubs Fan Last Request.
Love You Like I'm Gonna Loose You
All Of Me
Go Cubs Go
There was no Church Service so I did not have to pick songs for that.

bottom line...play what they would have liked. Or play what you want to convey, a thought or memory. I Volunteer at the Hospice that was so wonderful to us and when a Patient dies in the inpatient unit they have a wonderful process. Once the funeral home arrives to take the person (body) they chime a bell, that is heard throughout the building. The family or patient has previously selected a song and the person (body), covered in a quilt is brought to the waiting vehicle while the song is played.
I have heard all sorts of songs sad, funny, religious but they all have some meaning to the person or the family.

Songs that the deceased loved and that family members and friends will remember.

When my 51-year-old sister passed away, she wanted Aerosmith's "Dream On" played at her memorial service. It was her favorite song and everyone else loved it too.

I've always figured "Forever" by Kenny Loggins or "Old and Wise" by Alan Parsons would be my go-to funeral songs...

Choose music that comforts you. However, if the service is being held in a church, keep the music respectful for the setting it is in. Elvis or Frank Sinatra is not appropriate. As with most things, if in doubt......... don't.

I agree...choosing music is very personal.

We played "My Immortal" by Evanescence at my father's funeral and it was beautiful.

Like others have said, I based it some on what my mother liked plus what I thought might fit the mood....My mother died 2 years ago; our birthday was on the same day, March 31.....These are the songs I chose....The Long and Winding Road(Beatles), La Vie En Rise(James Galway, Ave Maria(Josh Groban), The Ash Grove(London Promenade Orch), Time to Say Goodbye(Sarah Brightman), Autumn Leaves(Roger Williams), Dust in the Wind(Kansas), ‘Tis the Last Rose of Summer(Winston Marsalis Orch), The Rose(Bette Midler), Song Bird(Bee Gees), Shenandoah(Sissel), Shepherd Moons(Enya)........I think I would have picked another version of Shenandoah if I had more time to get it together, but overall it worked for us and was quite moving. So sorry for your loss.

My mother wanted On A Clear Day (from Camelot) and an old radio theme song from the 30s, Brighten the Corner Where You Are. Found it online and the funeral home pianist could play it and we had the words printed so we could read the message of the song. It has kind of become my own motto. Also, not long before she died in the nursing home the four grandchildren and my mom all sang Jesus Loves Me together in a child's way. At the service I had my co-worker do a moving a capella gospel version of the same song. It was very touching.

I missed one of my mothers’ favorites .....Moon River(Henry Mancini & Orch)...hope this helps...

One of my favorites is an old hymn "Heaven is my Home."

One of my favorites that I have heard was "Go Rest High On That Mountain" by Vince Gill

What a beautiful thought, 97yroldmom! That's what I'd like at my own funeral.
I was going to add that non-secular music is increasingly popular. For either of my parents, I'd like to include We'll Meet Again (Vera Lynn) and Angels Among Us (Alabama).

I remember talking with a colleague a few years ago, and he half-jokingly said he liked "Another One Bite the Dust" (by the rock group Queen), and I mentioned I had occasionally thought of that. However, more seriously I had thought "Stairway to Heaven" (by Led Zeppelin) is nice--and it would be especially so if one hired Courtney Kania to play her harp (one can hear this on YouTube).

I would say, whatever the parent liked. Did your parents have a "song" that was them? Back in the 50's and 60's this was very common - couples had favorites songs. Surely you've heard, "that's Our song."

It shouldn't matter if it is "appropriate" - pick something You like. Personally, with my DH, I would choose "You Are My Sunshine" - because he is.

Huggers,
lidna

I am sorry for your loss. Putting together the service for my Mother was very healing for me. I was also one of the last things I could do for her. We used It's a wonderful world by Louis Armstrong and My Sweet Lord by the Beatles in my Mother's service. It's a Wonderful World was playing along with the photo presentation.

If you are very close to your parents, I would suggest,

Wind Beneath My Wings youtu.be/jorJh8DTMVM
Smile youtu.be/YXuB6md9zPk
Bridge Over Troubled Water youtu.be/Ho92k2CKNh0
True Colors youtu.be/sFZILaGa-TA

Was your parent, or are you, religious? Relatives may be comforted hearing Eagle's Wings (hymn), It Is Well With My Soul (hymn), In Christ Alone (video with lyrics) youtube.com/watch?v=AjR_A2pGPrY , I Will Rise (Chris Tomlin) video with lyrics is beautiful youtube.com/watch?v=WlHUKY3jBv0 , and this astonishing contemporary song if younger people attend funeral- I'm not young, but would request this for my own funeral, So Will I (this video has lyrics) youtube.com/watch?v=7DKuevboKLY

This is a difficult topic and my heart goes out to you.

Here is a different perspective. I believe funerals are for the people who mourn, not the people who have passed. You play whatever fills your heart with joy. It can be music that reminds you of your loved one, or music your loved one enjoyed. There are no guidelines or boundaries you have to follow. Use the power of music to help you in this emotional time.

seems like most folks had some favorite type of music in the past be they religious or non religious.

Sorry for your loss. We just lost my MIL 94 yrs old! We played
Sarah McLachlan - In the arms of an angel. not a dry eye in the place.

I recommend playing any songs that the deceased really enjoyed. Some people had favorite hymns. Others may have a "pop" song they loved. I have performed at many funerals as a harpist, and will play whatever type of songs the family requests. My father was a Barbershopper - so at his graveside service, we sang hymns a cappella in four-part harmony - because he loved part-singing.

I do agree that the music at the actual "funeral" should be more on the dignified side. The wake, by contrast, can be a wild time with dancing and funny songs.

Hymns (not songs) are what I'd choose for a funeral but my tastes are traditional. For my grandmother's funeral I chose Faith of Our Fathers and "Now the Day is Over - Night is Drawing Nigh" as the recessional hymn. There were others that I forget. I do like How Great Thou Art but I think Amazing Grace is used so often that it's become trite. It's also too evangelical for my taste. All hymns used are found in a traditional hymnal.

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired
I am weak
I am warm

Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear'
Precious Lord, linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand, precious lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears, and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
Let the river, where I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand, precious lord, lead me home
Take my hand, precious lord,

Full Song Lyrics: lyrster.com/lyrics/blessed-jesus-hold-my-hand-lyrics-elvis-presley.html#ixzz5BAIAGpXs

Read more at lyrster.com/lyrics/blessed-jesus-hold-my-hand-lyrics-elvis-presley.html#8x3dPorGwddBjaYJ.99

I'm so sorry for your loss.
Even though the surreal task of making funeral arrangements for my father was a blur, I still find consolation in the song, Stardust. The organist played beautifully all the songs that we requested.

my mums died on the 18th of march this year and ive found2 lovely songs that will help me get through the service. one is david alexanders cd if i only had time track 14 {if heaven had a phone}. the second is ann breen cd pal of my cradle days track 2 {medals for mothers .i feel that these songs say it all and i know mum would agree with my choice. we will walk into the crematorium with a song called louisiana way country music song that mum and i loved, she liked it that much that she new all the words at 96 years old. god bless mum x

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot