Funeral music chart reveals surprising choices

‘Time to Say Goodbye’ holds top spot as Brits swap solemn hymns for football anthems and club classics

The UK’s most played funeral songs have been revealed, and it’s clear that mourners are ditching tradition in favour of personality, passion and even pop bangers.

Released by Co-op Funeralcare, the chart-topping list for the past year blends operatic farewells and heartfelt ballads with everything from musicals and football anthems to the unlikeliest of upbeat party tracks.

Topping the list for another year is Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. Frank Sinatra’s My Way and Eva Cassidy’s Somewhere Over the Rainbow remain firm favourites too. But this year’s surprise entries include You’ll Never Walk Alone by Liverpool FC and The Best by Tina Turner.

Here is the UK’s top 10 funeral songs from the past 12 months:

1. Time to Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman
2. My Way – Frank Sinatra
3. Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Eva Cassidy
4. You’ll Never Walk Alone – Liverpool FC
5. The Best – Tina Turner
6. Supermarket Flowers – Ed Sheeran
7. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
8. Abide With Me (hymn)
9. We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn
10. You Raise Me Up – Westlife

The Funeral Music Chart, compiled by Co-op Funeralcare, also shows a distinct shift in tone, with many people choosing songs that reflect their personalities and life stories.

Tina Turner and Westlife returned to the chart this year, while traditional pieces like All Things Bright and Beautiful and Dancing in the Sky fell out of favour. Meanwhile, Oasis’ Don’t Look Back in Anger rose five places in the Indie category following rumours of a reunion. And Sam Fender’s Spit of You made its debut in the top five.

But it’s the unexpected choices that are grabbing attention.

Co-op says it has seen funerals feature everything from the Countdown theme tune to Highway to Hell, Gangnam Style, Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead and even 21 Seconds by So Solid Crew, demonstrating just how far the UK public is willing to go to personalise a send-off.

Gill Stewart from Co-op Funeralcare, who is available for interviews, says the trend shows a growing desire to celebrate a life lived rather than just mourn a loss.

“Funerals are becoming more of a personal statement,” she said. “People want music that reflects who they were, what they loved, and how they want to be remembered. We’ve had everything from classical to comedy, and every genre in between.”

Alongside the main chart, the Funeral Music Chart also includes categories spanning classical, TV themes, R&B, hymns, pop, and rock, each with its own top entries, reflecting just how eclectic and evolving people’s preferences have become.

For those in Rochdale considering a funeral or memorial service, local funeral homes say they’re increasingly being asked to help personalise playlists, whether that’s with a favourite football chant or a treasured childhood lullaby.