Songs for a Memorial Slideshow, by Tone and Faith

Choosing music for a memorial slideshow is a strange, tender task. You're sorting through photos you can barely look at, while trying to find a song that sounds like the person you've lost.

We hope this list makes that part a little easier. These songs for a memorial slideshow are gently organized by tone and faith: reflective, hopeful, hymns and faith songs, celebration of life picks, and instrumentals. You'll also find simple pacing guidance so the music and photos fit together, and a soft note about grief support at the end.

A few gentle questions before you choose

• What did they love? A favorite artist or a song they always sang along to will mean more than any list. Their playlist may already hold the answer.
• What is the faith tradition, if any? Some traditions keep music out of the service itself, so ask your clergy or funeral director where a slideshow fits best. It may suit the reception or a gathering at home.
• Who will be watching? Young children, elderly relatives and coworkers may all be in the room, so a quick listen to the full lyrics is worth it.
• Will the service be livestreamed? Streaming platforms sometimes mute copyrighted recordings. Ask the funeral home how they handle music, and consider instrumentals for the streamed portion.
• How long should it run? Most memorial slideshows feel right at about 6 to 12 minutes, or two to three songs.

Reflective and tender songs

These songs leave room for quiet remembering, which suits a slideshow played during visitation or before the service begins.

• "Tears in Heaven," Eric Clapton: a gentle, deeply felt song about loss and longing.
• "I Will Remember You," Sarah McLachlan: soft and steady, a promise to keep someone close in memory.
• "Angel," Sarah McLachlan: a quiet, comforting ballad often chosen for memorials.
• "In My Life," The Beatles: reflective and warm, about the people and places that shaped a life.
• "Supermarket Flowers," Ed Sheeran: written about his grandmother, and especially moving for a mother or grandmother.
• "Photograph," Ed Sheeran: about keeping memories close, a natural fit for photos on a screen.
• "Who You'd Be Today," Kenny Chesney: a country ballad for a life that ended too soon.
• "The Dance," Garth Brooks: about cherishing the time you had, even knowing how it ended.
• "Unforgettable," Nat King Cole: timeless and tender, lovely for a spouse or a grandparent's generation.
• "Hallelujah," Jeff Buckley (written by Leonard Cohen): haunting and beautiful, though the full lyrics are complex, so listen first.

Hopeful and uplifting songs

• "Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World," Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: soft ukulele and a sense of peace that suits all ages.
• "What a Wonderful World," Louis Armstrong: warm gratitude for the beauty of an ordinary life.
• "Wind Beneath My Wings," Bette Midler: a tribute to someone who lifted everyone around them.
• "I Hope You Dance," Lee Ann Womack: gentle encouragement that feels like a parent's wish for their children.
• "Forever Young," Rod Stewart: a loving blessing, especially fitting for a parent or grandparent.
• "Remember Me," from Disney Pixar's Coco: tender and family-centered, and familiar to kids in the room.
• "See You Again," Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth: written as a tribute to a friend, with a sense of reunion.
• "Dancing in the Sky," Dani and Lizzy: a soft, hopeful song often shared after a loss.
• "Time to Say Goodbye (Con te partirò)," Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman: soaring and dignified, for a grand farewell.

Faith songs and hymns

If faith was central to their life, hymns can bring great comfort to family and congregation alike. Check with the officiant about any traditions or preferences.

• "Amazing Grace," traditional hymn (recorded by many, including Judy Collins): perhaps the most familiar hymn of comfort in America.
• "How Great Thou Art," Elvis Presley's recording of the classic hymn: reverent and powerful.
• "It Is Well with My Soul," traditional hymn: a quiet statement of peace amid sorrow.
• "I Can Only Imagine," MercyMe: a contemporary Christian song about meeting God.
• "Go Rest High on That Mountain," Vince Gill: a country-gospel farewell with deep feeling.
• "On Eagle's Wings," Michael Joncas: a beloved hymn at many Catholic funerals.
• "Ave Maria," Franz Schubert (Andrea Bocelli's recording is well known): serene and timeless.
• "I'll Fly Away," Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch: a gospel classic with gentle, hopeful movement.
• "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)," Matt Redman: a worship song of gratitude for a life of faith.
• "Holes in the Floor of Heaven," Steve Wariner: a country song about loved ones watching over us.

Celebration of life songs

For a celebration of life, or for someone whose joy filled every room, lighter songs can honor their spirit. These often work best at the reception or as the final song.

• "Three Little Birds," Bob Marley & The Wailers: easygoing and reassuring.
• "Here Comes the Sun," The Beatles: light breaking through after a hard season.
• "My Way," Frank Sinatra: for the person who lived life entirely on their own terms.
• "Live Like You Were Dying," Tim McGraw: about living fully, ideal for the adventurer.
• "Thank You for the Music," ABBA: a gentle thank-you for someone who filled life with song.
• "Take Me Home, Country Roads," John Denver: for someone who loved home, the outdoors or the mountains.
• "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," Monty Python: for the person with a wonderful, irreverent sense of humor, if the family agrees.

Instrumental options

Instrumentals are a gentle choice when a slideshow plays beneath spoken tributes, or for a mixed audience of different beliefs.

• "Clair de Lune," Claude Debussy: soft, shimmering and calm.
• "Canon in D," Johann Pachelbel: graceful and steady, familiar to most guests.
• "Gymnopédie No. 1," Erik Satie: quiet and spacious, ideal for reflective moments.
• "Adagio for Strings," Samuel Barber: deeply moving and solemn.
• "Nimrod," from Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations: stately and full of feeling.

How to pace a memorial slideshow

A simple rule of thumb helps the music and photos fit together: plan about 5 to 7 seconds per photo.

1. Gather photos from family and friends early, using a shared folder so everyone can contribute.
2. Sort them by era, from childhood to recent years, so the slideshow tells the story of a life.
3. Match the music to the arc. One gentle approach is to start with a reflective song, move to something hopeful, and close with a song that feels like them.
4. Use simple fades rather than flashy transitions, and leave the last photo on screen a few seconds longer.
5. Test it on the venue's screen and speakers before the day, and bring a backup copy on a USB drive.

If you're also writing words for the service, our gentle guide on how to write a eulogy for your mom may help. For a mother or grandmother, our list of songs about moms includes tribute songs as well.

A gentle note on grief

Sorting through photos and songs can bring grief rushing back in unexpected ways. It's okay to take breaks, to ask someone else to finish the slideshow, or to choose just one song and let that be enough.

If the weight of loss feels too heavy, please reach out for support. A grief counselor, a faith leader or a bereavement group can help, and many hospices offer grief support to families. If you're in crisis in the US, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. And when you're ready, our list of meaningful memorial gift ideas offers gentle ways to keep their memory close.

FAQ

How many songs should a memorial slideshow have?

Two to three songs is common, creating a slideshow of about 6 to 12 minutes. That's long enough to tell the story of a life without tiring guests.

How many photos do I need for a memorial slideshow?

Plan about 5 to 7 seconds per photo, which works out to roughly 30 to 45 photos per song. For a three-song slideshow, about 90 to 140 photos fits comfortably.

Can I use upbeat songs at a funeral or memorial?

Yes, if they reflect the person and the family is comfortable with them. Upbeat songs often fit best at a celebration of life, at the reception or as the closing song.

What are classic songs for a funeral slideshow?

Familiar choices include "Amazing Grace," "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, "Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton. A song the person loved is always a meaningful choice, too.