[Bereavement Song] To you, my precious one whom I can no longer meet. Tear-jerking songs about death
I thought it was only natural for you to be by my side, but one day you suddenly disappeared…
If you’ve experienced the death of someone dear, you probably can’t help but feel, “No matter how much time passes, I can’t forget,” and “I wish I could see them once more.”
At the same time, you might be trying to move forward by putting a lid on your grief and forcing yourself to face ahead.
In this article, we introduce songs themed around “death,” told from a variety of perspectives.
Surely there will be a song that stays close to your sorrow.
When times are hard, please give them a listen.
- [Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing a loved one. Tracks to listen to while thinking of someone dear
- [Memorial Song] A moving classic and love song dedicated to a beloved person embarking on a journey to heaven
- A song I want people who have lost a beloved partner to listen to
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Songs to Play at My Own Funeral: Timeless Gems to Make Farewells Uniquely My Own
- A song about losing a friend: bereavement, betrayal, and separation.
- [Music Funeral] BGM to Remember the Deceased | Spotlight on Requiems and Dirges Praying for Peace
- [So touching it makes you cry] A heartbreakingly wistful and sad song that tightens your chest
- [Dark Songs] A carefully curated selection of deeply dark tracks and heartbreaking songs that accompany you in tough times
- “I Want to See You”: A love song that makes you cry when you listen to it while you can’t meet
- Love, bonds, parting, cheers… songs so moving they pierce the heart and make you cry uncontrollably
- [Thank You] A classic song expressing gratitude to one’s parents. A number loved across generations.
- Farewell Song: A goodbye song. A tearful parting song.
[Bereavement Songs] To you, my precious one whom I can no longer see. Tear-jerking songs about death (161–170)
amberSEKAI NO OWARI
An emotionally moving song by SEKAI NO OWARI that gently sings about how memories with loved ones continue to live on in our hearts, with “farewell”—an inevitable part of life—as its theme.
It quietly portrays the bonds that remain within us even when they can no longer be seen, the anxiety of forgetting, and the gratitude we feel for those precious presences that continue to influence our lives even now.
Released in March 2025 and written as the theme song for the film “The Boy and the Dog,” the track is also included on the album “Nautilus.” It is a song that stands beside those facing the sorrow of losing someone dear and the changing relationships that come with the passage of time.
FINAL DISTANCEUtada Hikaru
A heartrending breakup song sung by Hikaru Utada.
It conveys the sorrow of losing someone precious and an unwavering love for that person.
The lyrics delicately capture the distance between lovers and the feelings deep within the heart, leaving a strong impression.
Released in July 2001, the song was created in the wake of a tragic event, yet it also carries a sense of strength to keep moving forward.
It’s a song that will surely resonate with those who have experienced parting from someone important or who are currently in the midst of grief.
Hiroamazarashi
“Hiro” is a song filled with feelings for a friend whom one can no longer meet.
It was written by Hiromu Akita, the vocalist of the rock band amazarashi.
The lyrics are addressed to a friend who passed away at the age of 19, giving voice to grief and sorrow that have nowhere to go.
His singing conveys both emotions that change with the passage of time and feelings that remain unchanged, resonating deeply in the heart.
No matter how harsh the reality before us, the song speaks to the fragility and strength of living.
Instead of saying goodbye in words, why not listen to this song?
Watercolor MoonHata Motohiro
This piece was written by Motohiro Hata as the theme song for the film “An” (Sweet Bean).
Its gentle yet heartrending melody and lyrics that evoke a longing for lost love resonate deeply.
The questioning tone of the lyrics conveys both the sorrow of losing someone dear and the strength to keep looking forward.
Released in June 2015, the song is also included on the album “Aoi no Koukei” (Scenes of Blue).
A simple arrangement centered on piano and strings beautifully captures the film’s quiet, profound worldview.
It’s a recommended track for anyone who has experienced parting from a loved one or wants to reflect on the meaning of life.
I had been waiting for summer.amazarashi
A song I’d like to introduce as one you’ll want to listen to over and over is “We Were Waiting for Summer.” It’s a track released by the rock band amazarashi.
At first glance, it sounds like a fast-paced, exhilarating pop song, but if you listen closely, you’ll realize that’s not quite the case.
This is a bit of a spoiler, but the lyrics depict summer vacation from the perspectives of four different characters.
And as you read each set of lyrics carefully, a heartrending truth comes to light.
Gajumaru ~Heaven in the Rain~ReoNa
ReoNa’s new song “Gajumaru ~Heaven in the Rain~” is a moving work that portrays feelings for a precious person who has been lost.
It exquisitely expresses a heartbreaking emotion that can be interpreted as singing about a parting by death.
The track was also selected as the ending theme for cour 2 of the anime “Shangri-La Frontier.” ReoNa’s clear, transparent vocals fully convey the protagonist of the lyrics, who strives to find hope even amid despair.
The gajumaru tree, which appears in the title, functions as a symbol throughout the song and leaves a strong impression on listeners.
Close your eyesHirai Ken
A gem-like, soul-stirring ballad by Ken Hirai that delicately portrays the deep sorrow and sense of loss after losing a loved one.
The story begins with a morning awakening, and the everyday moments and memories shared with the person who is gone are beautifully recounted.
A pure wish to let a cherished presence live on forever in one’s heart resonates throughout the lyrics, accompanied by vivid, moving imagery.
Released in April 2004, it topped the annual Oricon singles chart.
As the theme song for the film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World,” this work is etched into the memories of many and gently embraces the hearts of those left behind in times of parting.