“You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King

While death is never explicitly addressed in this classic song by Carole King, one can imagine it as a fitting piece of music for a beautiful memorial. There is something eternal and soul-like in King’s depiction of a friendship where “all you have to do is call,” where you can “close your eyes and think of me,” and your loved one’s comfort and friendship will follow. Perhaps for those of us experiencing the death of someone we love, this is just the message to remember when we think of those we lost. Read these loving lyrics and reflect on King’s song:

When you’re down and troubled
And you need some loving care
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend

If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind begins to blow
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud
Soon you’ll hear me knocking at your door

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there

Read the full lyrics here.