[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.

Playlist

[Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing someone dear. Tracks to listen to while thinking of a loved one.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	amberSEKAI NO OWARI		A moving song that quietly sings of parting and bonds
2	existenceWANIMA		A moving ballad by WANIMA filled with gratitude for my grandmother
3	Until the day I can no longer rememberback number		A song about the process of getting over a lost love
4	Until your night breaks (into dawn)Kasamura Tōta		The sorrow of losing a loved one and the aching longing to meet again
5	Say it.Yorushika		A song of farewell to a loved one and profound sorrow
6	Hide-and-seekRADWIMPS		Gently portrayed a farewell with a loved one through a game of hide-and-seek
7	Sleeping BeautySEKAI NO OWARI		A story that gently envelops the sorrow for a loved one
8	I miss youRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS’s earthquake memorial song
9	Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi		A masterpiece by Kenshi Yonezu that expresses sorrow and affection
10	lampSakiyama Soshi		The Jujutsu Kaisen ending theme song produced by Soushi Sakiyama
11	Once moreTani Yuuki		A ballad to win back a lost love
12	cradlesaji		A moving ballad depicting memories with my grandmother
13	Beyond sorrowAimer		A ballad that portrays thoughts for the lost and hope
14	Clouds and GhostsYorushika		A heartfelt song in which the protagonist, now a ghost, longs for the deceased
15	Goodbye, thank youNatsukawa Rimi		Rimi Natsukawa’s single that sings gratitude to the departed
16	One LoveEXILE		EXILE’s moving farewell message song
17	tearsSEKAI NO OWARI		A moving song that portrays a farewell with a friend
18	lamplightYuga		A heartwarming song that expresses bonds and love with a gentle singing voice
19	SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s rock song of hope and love
20	Even if I’m not there.Hirai Dai		A heartwarming song that sings of love and hopes for the children of the future
21	leap day personRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS's movie theme song
22	If you call it loveUru		Uru’s song “Sore wo Ai to Yobu nara” portrays love and growth
23	LeoYuuri		Depicting the bond with an owner and parting, from a dog's perspective
24	aspiration; longing; ardent desireFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama's movie theme song ballad
25	globeYonezu Kenshi		A song by Kenshi Yonezu imbued with thoughts for the deceased and hope for the future
26	Anytime Anywheremilet		Turn the memories with your loved ones into the strength to live
27	I long to see you now.MISIA		A powerful song by MISIA themed around life
28	One more time, One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		A classic song by Masayoshi Yamazaki that expresses a sense of loss
29	Love Funeral feat. majikokeichan		Kei-chan delicately expresses lost love
30	budKobukuro		A moving masterpiece filled with gratitude and love for my mother
31	futureKobukuro		Kobukuro’s “Mirai” is a song of hope and love
32	Prayer FlowerHirai Dai		A ballad of love and gratitude for someone dear
33	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		A song of gratitude that Hikaru Utada dedicated to her mother
34	366 daysHY		A classic song by HY. The heartache of a broken love and the strength to move forward.
35	To my belovedMoriyama Naotaro		A ballad filled with thoughts for someone lost
36	LemonYonezu Kenshi		Introducing Kenshi Yonezu’s signature song “Lemon.”
37	I can’t put it into wordsOda Kazumasa		Kazumasa Oda’s “Kotoba ni Dekinai” is a masterpiece that expresses deep emotion and love.
38	FlowerJUJU		JUJU’s “Hana” chosen as a movie theme song, portraying a mother-daughter relationship
39	the scent of flowersMr.Children		Mr.Children's “Hana no Nioi” is a song of gratitude to someone who has passed away.
40	Memories from todayAimer		Aimer sings earnestly of her feelings for the departed
41	apoptosisOfisharu Higedan Dism		A song that portrays cell death and the finiteness of life
42	PromiseKōda Kumi		Kumi Koda’s heartrending love sing
43	NonfictionHirai Ken		Ken Hirai’s earnest feelings sung about a friend’s suicide
44	cherry blossoms drifting awayUtada Hikaru		A song of feelings for the lost and a resolve to live
45	DeparturesAI		AI sings the theme song of the film Departures
46	AND I LOVE YOUDREAMS COME TRUE		A moving song imbued with a message to a late husband
47	The Day I Became a JewelBUMP OF CHICKEN		A song of sorrow and hope that sings of bereavement
48	If you wish for a miracle…JUJU		Depicting the inner turmoil of losing a loved one
49	contrailMatsutōya Yumi		Revival hit song from a Studio Ghibli film
50	Thank you…KOKIA		KOKIA's 'Arigatou…' is a song of gratitude and hope.
51	Tears of MagnoliaStardust Revue		Stardust Revue’s melancholic ballad
52	Things that have formShibasaki Kou		Words of a woman leaving behind someone dear to her
53	Prayer Flower 2020Hirai Dai		A prayerful ballad set against the backdrop of the earthquake disaster
54	Missing YouMirei Touyama		A song that portrays the grief of a girl who lost her mother
55	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Memories of a departed lover and a vow
56	YC&K		A moving song by C&K depicting bereavement
57	You are dead.Kanzaki Iori		A song that portrays the sorrow of losing a loved one
58	Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi		A Thousand Winds is a famous song for commemorating the deceased.
59	I want to see you.sawada chikako		Introduction to Chikaco Sawada’s classic song “Aitai”
60	Goodbye, my beloved.Hana＊Hana		Hanahana’s signature song, a message to her grandfather
61	A world without you is heartbreaking.CHIHIRO		The sorrow of losing a loved one
62	Song of CandyBUMP OF CHICKEN		A ballad by BUMP OF CHICKEN about trust and bonds
63	The Final RiverCHEMISTRY		Singing gratitude to a loved one in the face of death
64	Harubaraparesoshina		An emotional new song by Soshina, filled with feelings for his father who passed away at 17.
65	Love songSambomasutā		A Love Song for Someone Who's Gone
66	brilliant; radiant; glittering; bright (sunlight)Miura Daichi		Daichi Miura’s “燆燆” is the theme song of the NHK morning drama.
67	eightIU		IU's moving masterpiece 'Eight' and her feelings for a friend
68	Gold ~Until We Meet Again~Utada Hikaru		A tribute to a loved one and a wish to meet again
69	Because you are hereUru		A warm ballad song that thinks of the departed
70	LostPorunogurafiti		A song of mourning and loss for a loved one
71	I want to see you.yuzu		A song that expresses a heartfelt wish for someone who has passed away
72	Your SkyOku Hanako		Thoughts on farewell and reunion through rebirth
73	A song dedicated to my belovedKuwata Keisuke		A refreshing song by Keisuke Kuwata that sings of thoughts for someone who has passed away.
74	Blue HabitatKitanitatsuya		Tatsuya Kitani performs the anime’s theme song with “Ao no Sumika.”
75	The Day of DepartureJULEPS		A song with lyrics from the perspective of someone facing death
76	planetariumOtsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s “Planetarium” sings of the sadness of unrequited love.
77	Letter to the SkyGReeeeN		GReeeeN's breakup song
78	TSUZUKUikimonogakari		Moving forward while holding on to memories
79	Smiling DownONE OK ROCK		A requiem for a friend, heartfelt feelings of a precious farewell
80	TearsX JAPAN		X JAPAN father-loving ballad
81	If I Hadn’t Met You ~Summer Snow Winter Flower~Aimer		Aimer’s signature song portrays forbidden love
82	Wind NagiSuga Shikao		A ballad that portrays the sorrow of thinking about the presence Suga Shikao has lost
83	Thank youMACO		A song of feelings for a friend who died from illness
84	Instead of goodbyeTUBE × GACKT		A collaboration song by TUBE and GACKT that gently embraces a breakup
85	spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota		A song that depicts Tota-san’s life and death
86	NatsuneGLAY		A GLAY song about a breakup with a summer theme
87	Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi		Tears for You by Rimi Natsukawa
88	Phantom LifeSEKAI NO OWARI		The message of life and death, music that resonates with the heart
89	HitotsuboshiKOH+		KOH⁺ produces the movie’s theme song “Hitotsuboshi”
90	Parting Flowersurii		Suri’s new song about a breakup
91	Let’s go home.Fuji Kaze		A masterpiece that gently portrays the boundary between life and death, resonating in the heart.
92	Love fallsKato Miria		Miliyah Kato sings of love for someone who became a star
93	ECHOFujifaburikku		A song of deep love and remembrance for the departed
94	I want to see you.Yoshida Yamada		Even as the seasons change, my feelings for the one who has passed do not.
95	A love song dedicated to youHamada Shogo		A resolve to overcome the love for my late wife and the sorrow of farewell
96	himawariMr.Children		Mr.Children’s exquisite theme song
97	Killed by the SunBUCK-TICK		Express the sorrow of life in a despairing tone
98	Drawing #2: Spring LightPorunogurafiti		A lyrical number by Porno Graffitti
99	ALONEB’z		Lyrics from a B’z ballad depicting heartbreak and bereavement
100	Sakura Rain, SomedayMatsu Takako		Introduction to a heartbreaking ballad by Takako Matsu
101	Hiraethmoumoon		A poignant song that sings of love and feelings for the deceased.
102	the same storyHanbaato Hanbaato		The deeper meaning of Humbert Humbert’s “Onaji Hanashi”
103	Heaven PhoneIshizaki Hyuui		The lyrics of a phone call to the deceased in heaven pierce my heart
104	Hiroamazarashi		A song that sings of sorrow for a friend and the strength to live
105	Black Boots ~oh my friend~SOPHIA		A song SOPHIA wrote in memory of a departed friend
106	Condolences, and life goes onUtagana Roku ft. Uramei		Even after losing someone important, everyday life goes on.
107	waxing; filling up; becoming full; growing (e.g., the moon growing fuller)Fuji Kaze		Expressing the preciousness of love in Fujii Kaze’s breakup song
108	eternityDo As Infinity		A song by Do As Infinity. Lyrics from when I lost my grandmother.
109	afterimageflumpool		A song that likens memories to afterimages
110	My last dayYu-anesu		Parting at the brink of life and death, a heartfelt yearning for my mother
111	formulaOkazaki Taiiku		A sorrowful song by Okazaki Taiiku about bereavement
112	swanyuzu		A song depicting the final farewell with a loved one
113	I want to keep gazing at you.ZARD		A song filled with the resolve to face bereavement
114	Lostyama		yama takes on a challenge with a ballad
115	secretBIGMAMA		A bittersweet song filled with feelings for someone precious
116	good nightEvery Little Thing		Every Little Thing new song
117	AM11:00HY		The two of us in our memories are eternal
118	setting sunToukyou Jihen		The appeal of Tokyo Jihen’s classic song “Rakujitsu”
119	A Farewell SongKumaki Anri		A song about feelings for someone who has passed away
120	Seventeen-Year-Old AngelMayo Okamoto		Mayo Okamoto’s jazzy song of sorrow
121	The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro		A gem of a ballad that gently sings of summer’s end
122	Beautiful nameThe Back Horn		Introducing THE BACK HORN’s signature song “Utsukushii Namae” (“Beautiful Name”)
123	I miss youHayashibe Satoshi		From a music program, Tomofumi Hayashibe’s moving song “Aitai”
124	Happyaimyon		A song by Aimyon about parting with someone important to her
125	I had been waiting for summer.amazarashi		Summer scene depictions by amazarashi
126	White lilies on my birthdayFukuyama Masaharu		Expressing feelings for the departed with white lilies
127	SamsaraMiyata Satoshi		An epic track that explores the preciousness and meaning of life through encounters and farewells.
128	Until I become a starYubara Masayuki		Overcoming parting and believing in tomorrow
129	Let me hear the poetry of the wind.Kuwata Keisuke		Keisuke Kuwata’s movie theme song, a gentle and love-filled track
130	A world without goodbyesŌhashi Torio		A song by Ohashi Trio that embraces farewell
131	SolaninASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION		A moving song that depicts the farewell and rebirth of youth
132	cherry blossomBUCK-TICK		A leading Japanese rock band that has never gone on hiatus
133	For loveAAAMYYY		Rising from the void after losing a beloved person
134	Beyond this starry skyMayo Okamoto		Accepting the death of a loved one and moving forward
135	Live.Suiyōbi no Campanella & yahyel		A song that conveys the importance of living
136	1106WANIMA		A song by WANIMA expressing feelings for his late grandfather
137	Rain that is no one’s faultNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima's enigmatic and weighty songs
138	flower burialL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		Introduction to L'Arc-en-Ciel's 11th single
139	Spirit Boat (Shoro Nagashi)sadamasashi		A gem of a ballad that conveys the pain of loss with a gentle melody
140	Memorial addressHamasaki Ayumi		A heartrending song that expresses unstable emotions
141	John’s Pure Love StoryHigashi Maki		A warm message song from a dog's perspective
142	Sorrowful WarriorMoriguchi Hiroko featuring Oshio Kotarō		Gundam Theme Song, Sorrow of the Warrior
143	I know how you feelIipurugisu no Yoru		A song that portrays the sorrow of losing someone dear and the differing values people hold.
144	See you again（remix）zundare		A war critique that questions the sanctity of life
145	The Toilet GodUemura Kana		An inspiring song about family love based on Kana Uemura’s true story with her grandmother
146	In this world without you.fumika		Grief over losing a loved one and rebirth
147	squallMONGOL800		A slow ballad depicting deep sorrow and a sense of loss
148	Sorrow Rides the Busmakaroni enpitsu		An inspiring song by Macaroni Empitsu
149	dearestFukuyama Masaharu		Ballad song by Masaharu Fukuyama and Kou Shibasaki
150	my starRozarīna		Rosalina’s farewell theme song, the strength to move forward
151	Hide-and-seekBIGMAMA		Gentle music that stays close to the heart with a sense of loss