Tag Archives: Music

“Casimir Pulaski Day” by Sufjan Stevens

A folk memorial song about a loved one with cancer and the limits of faith

Nothing can evoke the mystery of loss like a well-told story, or a ballad. One of my favorite songs by Sufjan Stevens, “Casimir Pulaski Day” from his album “Illinois” tells the story of a young girl who dies from cancer. … Continue reading

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“I’m Going Away” by Walter Hawkins

A soulful funeral gospel and choir memorial song

  You don’t have to be a church-gower to appreciate this song. The lyrics and music create a nostalgic atmosphere of a celebration in grievance of the loss of a loved one. There is a clear indication that the person … Continue reading

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“Sam Stone” by John Prine

A memorial song vividly depicts life after war and the pain of loss to addiction

John Prine has dedicated most of his life to creating and sharing emotional and narrative-driven music. He is acclaimed as a songwriter and his versatility in subject matter ranges from immensely funny, to heart-wrenchingly sad. NPR has described him as having … Continue reading

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“Knocking on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan

A funeral song to remember soldiers and people who have passed away

The song “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” was originally written and sung by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid in 1973. The song has also produced countless cover versions, with each version proving to be suitable … Continue reading

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“Brokedown Palace” by Grateful Dead

A funeral song to soothe those dealing with grief and coping with death

Music expresses an endless amount of human emotion. It soothes those dealing with grief and serves as a soundtrack to life and death. We use music to inspire, mourn, remember, signify and symbolize the life of another as we cope … Continue reading

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“The Rose” by Bette Midler

A hopeful funeral song about finding love after loss

If you’re looking for a funeral song to instill hope in you and your loved ones, look no further than “The Rose.” Sung by the legendary Bette Midler and made famous by the movie, The Rose, the soulful song has lyrics … Continue reading

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