[Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing someone dear. Tracks to listen to while thinking of a loved one.
A collection of songs themed around the loss of loved ones—partners, family, friends, and others dear to you.
There are songs steeped in deep sorrow, songs that express gratitude for the time shared in life, songs that look back on memories, and even songs told from the perspective of those who have passed away.
Though presented from many angles, all of them overflow with love for the departed and for those left behind.
If you are suffering from a sense of loss, or wish to sort through your feelings for someone precious who has gone on ahead, please give these a listen.
We cannot forget the reality of parting, but as you listen, you will likely find yourself able to look back on the days you spent together with a calmer heart.
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- [Memorial Song] A moving classic and love song dedicated to a beloved person embarking on a journey to heaven
- Farewell Song: A goodbye song. A tearful parting song.
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- [Music Funeral] BGM to Remember the Deceased | Spotlight on Requiems and Dirges Praying for Peace
- A song about losing a friend: bereavement, betrayal, and separation.
- Songs to Play at My Own Funeral: Timeless Gems to Make Farewells Uniquely My Own
- Songs that Teach the Value of Life | A Collection of Masterpieces Celebrating the Wonder of Living
- [Thank-You Song] A song to convey your feelings of “thank you” to someone special
- A Tearful Farewell Song: A Love Song About Parting with Someone You Love
- [Dark Songs] A carefully curated selection of deeply dark tracks and heartbreaking songs that accompany you in tough times
- A classic song that sings of gratitude to one’s parents. Thank you, Dad and Mom!
[Songs of Bereavement] Songs for those who have lost someone dear. Tracks to listen to while thinking of your loved one (31–40)
LemonYonezu Kenshi
This song was written as the theme for the drama “Unnatural,” which portrays a forensic pathologist striving to uncover unnatural deaths.
It is one of Kenshi Yonezu’s signature tracks and is highly popular; many of you may know it, as it frequently ranked near the top of various charts, including karaoke.
As a song for a drama that deals with death, it expresses feelings for a beloved person who has been lost.
What I particularly want to draw attention to is the part that likens the sense of loss felt after leaving a loved one behind to the scent of a lemon.
Yonezu’s sensibility in expressing such sorrow and helplessness so beautifully is truly astonishing.
I can’t put it into wordsOda Kazumasa
“Kotoba ni Dekinai” (Words I Can’t Say), a signature song by singer-songwriter Kazumasa Oda—who has been active on Japan’s music scene since the 1970s—was released in 1979.
The song poignantly yet warmly portrays feelings so deep they defy words, and the tender thoughts we hold for those we love.
Its powerful message, capable of moving the hearts of all living beings, led to numerous media tie-ins and broad acceptance across diverse audiences.
Listening to this track may bring to mind a dearly departed loved one and give you strength to overcome the sorrow of loss.
It’s highly recommended for anyone seeking healing, or for those who want to spend a quiet moment reflecting on gratitude for someone they love.
FlowerJUJU
JUJU is a singer-songwriter known for her deep emotional expression and diverse musical style.
Her single “Hana” (Flower), released on November 23, 2022, serves as the theme song for the film “Motherhood,” delicately portraying the complexities of the mother–daughter relationship.
The song’s appeal lies in how it uses the metaphor of flowers to depict the diversity of human relationships and the beauty of each individual’s existence.
Like flowers that grow in different environments, it celebrates the importance of each of us living and shining in our own ways and at our own pace.
It’s highly recommended as an empowering message for those trying to overcome difficult times or who feel they are losing sight of their true selves.
the scent of flowersMr.Children
Mr.Children’s “Hana no Nioi” (“The Scent of Flowers”) was released in 2008 and served as the theme song for the film I Want to Be a Shellfish.
This is a song I want those who have lost someone dear and are struggling to move forward through deep sorrow to hear.
Listening to it, I think you’ll realize that sometimes a presence can be felt even more strongly after someone has passed away.
The lyrics also teach us that sadness and loneliness can transform into a shining light.
By the time you reach the end, you’ll likely feel empowered with a new perspective.
It’s a highly recommended song that will fill you with gratitude as you remember the departed.
Memories from todayAimer
Aimer is a hugely popular singer-songwriter.
With her distinctive, breathy vocals as her weapon, she delivers numerous masterpieces with exceptional expressiveness and vocal skill.
In this song, she pours out a heartfelt longing for a beloved person who has passed away.
Reading the lyrics, the female protagonist seems to be someone who puts on a brave face in front of others.
Yet, she also carries a vulnerable side within, and she candidly confesses how much she wants to see that special person and how lonely she feels—an honesty that is deeply moving.
The music video depicts a father and a little girl, but it’s a song I hope everyone who has lost someone dear—be it a parent, a partner, or a family member—will listen to.
[Songs of Bereavement] Songs for those who have lost someone dear. Tracks to listen to while thinking of a loved one (41–50)
apoptosisOfisharu Higedan Dism
The human body is constantly renewing its cells to stay in good condition, and it is said that each cell’s death is programmed.
This grand, floating track layers that programmed cell death over the finite span of a human life.
It makes you reflect on how we will face the parting that is death, which inevitably draws closer, and what we can do before it arrives.
The first half features an unreal, electronic sound, while the second half unfolds into a more organic band sound, evoking the process of accepting farewell.
PromiseKōda Kumi
Released in 2005 as Kumi Koda’s 18th single, this track came out ahead of her best-of album “BEST ~first things~” and was used as the ending theme for TV Asahi’s program “The Miracle Door: Power of TV.” Its poignant lyrics, which reflect on a lover who passed away just before their wedding, resonate deeply with listeners who carry feelings for someone precious they can never meet again.
