Choosing Celebration of Life Songs: Where to Start

There’s no wrong answer here. Instead, the only test is whether a song feels genuinely true to the person you’re honouring.

So before any event, I sit down with the family and ask a few gentle questions:

• What music did they love, and which song was truly theirs?
• Are there any songs that must not play on the day?
• Should the music stay in the background, or would they want dancing?
• Which moments need a song, for example a toast or a photo presentation?
• Finally, which song should end the day?

These answers shape everything. In fact, the music only feels right because of that conversation.

Uplifting Celebration of Life Songs

These tribute songs carry warmth alongside the sadness. As a result, they often draw a smile through the tears.

• “My Way”, Frank Sinatra
• “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”
• “Simply the Best”, Tina Turner
• “Don’t Stop Me Now”, Queen
• “What a Wonderful World”, Louis Armstrong
• “Bring Me Sunshine”

Some families choose “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” deliberately. After all, the person would have loved the laughter it brings.

Reflective Celebration of Life Songs

Sometimes a room needs to hold the loss rather than lift away from it. These tribute songs do exactly that, so they suit quieter, reflective moments.

• “Fix You”, Coldplay
• “Wind Beneath My Wings”
• “Angels”, Robbie Williams
• “Over the Rainbow”, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
• “Lean on Me”
• “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”

Often, families also tell me about a special connection to the song. For instance, it might recall a favourite film or a road trip together.

Songs That Were Simply Theirs

Some of the most powerful choices are the least expected. For example, families have asked for “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC.

Of course, it works when everyone understands why, and when the person would have laughed at the choice. Likewise, “Dancing Queen”, “Bohemian Rhapsody” or a favourite TV theme can be perfect. Indeed, a favourite TV theme can make a lovely, unexpected opening song.

Tim’s tip: I never judge a family’s choices. If it’s true to the person, then it belongs in the room.

Opening and Closing Celebration of Life Songs

Each song needs its moment. So I agree every cue with the family in advance, and nothing happens unexpectedly.

1. Arrival: soft background music while guests find each other and share memories.
2. The opening song: one track that brings the person into the room.
3. Tributes: music under a photo presentation, a toast or a singalong they would have led.
4. Optional dancing: later on, if the family wants to celebrate how they lived.
5. The final farewell: a song agreed beforehand, because it’s the last musical moment of the day.

Meanwhile, I keep the volume at a comfortable, conversational level. Then the move to dancing only happens when the room is ready.

Venues and Practical Points

A memorial gathering can happen almost anywhere. For example, families choose hotel function rooms, village halls, pub rooms, gardens and marquees. Then a memory table near the entrance gives guests a natural place to begin.

I cover Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, with travel included. Also, I check any sound limiter beforehand. For garden events, I scale the speakers to the space and think about neighbours too.

Some families also set up a memory table with photographs, records and keepsakes. Others like digital photos from the day as well. If that feels right, the Selfie Pod shares pictures instantly. Of course, we only include it if you want it.

For more about how I help on the day, see my celebration of life music page. You can also read how I’m Trading Standards Approved under the Norfolk County Council scheme.