Country Music Songs for Funerals

Country music can be a great way to remember a loved one who has passed away. There are many country songs that can be played at a funeral to help commemorate the life of the deceased. Here are a few of our favorite country songs for funerals.

“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” is a touching choice for a funeral song. The lyrics speak to the enduring nature of love, even after death. The song has a feeling of hope and reassurance, which can be comforting for mourners.

“Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill

“Go Rest High on That Mountain” is a song by American country music artist Vince Gill. Written by Gill and produced by Tony Brown, it was released in June 1995 as the third single from Gill’s album When I Call Your Name. The song won both the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and the Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year in 1996.

The song is a ballad in which the narrator reflects on the life of a deceased friend, hoping that they have “gone to rest high on that mountain”. It features backing vocals from Patty Loveless, Ricky Skaggs, and Emmylou Harris.

In an interview with The Tennessean, Gill said that he wrote the song after his brother-in-law committed suicide. “It just kind of hit me out of nowhere one day,” he said. “I don’t know where it came from; I wish I did. It just seemed to make sense at the time.”

Gill told CMT that he hoped the song would be comforting to people who had lost loved ones. “I think we all want those we’ve lost to be at peace,” he said. “We want to believe there’s something better beyond this life.”

“Angel” by Sarah McLachlan

Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” has become a popular choice for funerals in recent years. The song was originally written about the death of a friend’s baby, but its haunting lyrics and melody make it suitable for any loved one who has passed away.

“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams

“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Hank Williams. The song was released on January 19, 1949, as the B-side to “My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It”. The song is considered one of Williams’ most important and influential recordings.

The song is about loneliness and despair, with the narrator being so lonesome that he could cry. The lyrics have been praised for their simple, direct expression of emotion. The original demo version of the song, which was recorded in early 1948, featured a different melody and lyrics.

The song has been covered by many artists, including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Elvis Presley.

“You Are My Sunshine” by Johnny Cash

One of the most beloved country music songs of all time, “You Are My Sunshine” was written by former Louisiana governor Jimmie Davis and has been covered by artists across all genres. The lyrics are full of hope and reassurance, making it the perfect song to play at a funeral service.

“Amazing Grace” by Traditional

“Amazing Grace” is a Christian hymn published in 1779, with words written by the English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton (1725–1807). Newton wrote the words from personal experience. He grew up without any particular religious conviction, but his life’s path was formed by a variety of twists and turns. He was pressed into service in the Royal Navy, and after leaving the service, he became involved in the Atlantic slave trade. In 1748, a violent storm threw him overboard, and he reformed his life and became an evangelical Christian. “Amazing Grace” was published in 1779 with Newton’s own musical arrangement. It is unknown how or when the song truly gained popularity as it did not immediately become well-known.

The first known recording of “Amazing Grace” was made by Aeolian Company in 1924. The song became associated with John Newton’s admirer, abolitionist William Wilberforce, who petitioned Parliament for the abolition of slavery. The melody is most likely derived from accompanying young men singing a Psalm while waiting to be pressed into naval service during the 1750s. The melody did not become widely known as Amazing Grace until almost 100 years later when it was adapted and popularized by American shape note singers in 19th century dust-bowl America.”

Country Music Songs for Funerals

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