GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Statistics About The Most Popular Funeral Songs

There is a wide variety of popular songs chosen for funerals, with classic and sentimental songs being the most commonly selected.

Last Updated: June 23, 2024

Written & Summarized by: Jannik Lindner

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In this post, we explore a myriad of intriguing statistics surrounding the music choices at funerals. From the evolving trends in song preferences to the regional variations in musical selections, these findings shed light on the diverse ways in which music plays a pivotal role in honoring the departed.

Statistic 1

""Over the Rainbow" by Eva Cassidy is chosen at two out of every ten funerals."

Statistic 2

"The song "Supermarket Flowers" by Ed Sheeran ranked in the top 10 most popular songs for funerals in 2019."

Statistic 3

""My Way" by Frank Sinatra is no longer the most played funeral song, losing its top spot after a decade."

Statistic 4

"Approximately 1 in 5 funeral services in the UK use pop songs instead of traditional hymns."

Statistic 5

"The most popular hymn for funerals in 2019 was "Abide with Me"."

Statistic 6

"The most popular classical music piece for funerals is Bach’s "Air on the G string"."

Statistic 7

"Monty Python’s "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" failed to make the top 10 popular funeral song list in 2019."

Statistic 8

"Around 17% of funeral services in the UK now use contemporary pop songs in their order of service."

Statistic 9

"The top TV and Film theme song at funerals is the "Game of Thrones" theme song."

Statistic 10

"The song "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton is 20% more likely to be played at funerals where the deceased is younger."

Statistic 11

"The Beatles' song "Let it Be" secured a spot among the top 5 popular funeral songs in 2020."

Statistic 12

"Disney's "Circle of Life" from The Lion King has become increasingly popular at funerals, up 5% in 2019."

Statistic 13

"Only 3% of funerals in the UK feature country music in their order of service."

Statistic 14

"Ed Sheeran's "Supermarket Flowers" witnessed a rapid rise in funeral popularity, with 13% frequency in 2020."

Statistic 15

"Funerals in Scotland feature "You Raise Me Up" by Westlife 7% more than in England."

Statistic 16

"In 2019, Beyoncé's "Halo" entered the top 10 funeral songs list in the US."

Statistic 17

"The hit song "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan is played at approximately 10% of funerals in Canada each year."

Overall, the statistics on funeral songs reveal a diverse and evolving landscape of musical choices for memorial services. From the shifting popularity of iconic classics like “My Way” by Frank Sinatra to the emergence of contemporary hits like Ed Sheeran’s “Supermarket Flowers,” it is evident that funeral music reflects changing cultural trends and individual preferences. The inclusion of a variety of genres, from pop to classical to TV themes, highlights the importance of personalization in honoring the deceased. As popular songs continue to weave their way into traditional funeral services, it is clear that music plays a crucial role in celebrating and remembering the lives of those who have passed on.