[Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing a loved one. Tracks to listen to while thinking of someone dear

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 a loved one. Tracks to listen to while thinking of someone dear
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Memories are beautifulAimer		Nostalgic memories give me strength to live in the present
2	I remember your warmth.Teshima Aoi		Aoi Teshima's Message Song
3	signpostFukuyama Masaharu		A ballad that sings of gratitude for the life inherited from our ancestors
4	Beautiful daysarashi		A theme song for an Arashi drama that delicately portrays heartrending emotions
5	If I Could Paint LifeYOASOBI		A YOASOBI song that depicts love for those left behind
6	empty windowRADWIMPS		A RADWIMPS song that quietly expresses the sense of loss from the earthquake disaster
7	ever freeHamasaki Ayumi		A requiem that sings of parting and rebirth
8	Until the day I can no longer rememberback number		A song about the process of getting over a lost love
9	existenceWANIMA		A moving ballad by WANIMA filled with gratitude for my grandmother
10	Until your night breaks (into dawn)Kasamura Tōta		The sorrow of losing a loved one and the aching longing to meet again
11	Hide-and-seekRADWIMPS		Gently portrayed a farewell with a loved one through a game of hide-and-seek
12	I don’t knowHoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino’s song quietly portrays parting and loss
13	I miss youRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS’s earthquake memorial song
14	untitled ～for her～Hamasaki Ayumi		A ballad that expresses Ayumi Hamasaki’s sense of loss and love
15	Sleeping BeautySEKAI NO OWARI		A story that gently envelops the sorrow for a loved one
16	Once moreTani Yuuki		A ballad to win back a lost love
17	cradlesaji		A moving ballad depicting memories with my grandmother
18	Beyond sorrowAimer		A ballad that portrays thoughts for the lost and hope
19	Prayer Song feat. Gecko8utterfly		A warm ballad in remembrance of the deceased
20	The Song I Found With YouAYANE		A duet ballad co-written by two people for a movie’s soundtrack
21	MAGICSEKAI NO OWARI		A heartrending breakup song by SEKAI NO OWARI
22	Death MagicSEKAI NO OWARI		A song that sings of the pain of parting and questions about life
23	THANXWANIMA		WA Nima's farewell theme song
24	Our Elegy (You and I)sakaiyuu		Yu Sakai’s feelings for his deceased best friend
25	Ghost Disqualifiedkuriipuhaipe		CreepHyp releases a song depicting a sense of loss and everyday life
26	STAYKobukuro		The courage to face a sense of loss and move forward
27	mortuary makeupRosu		A song that depicts makeup for the deceased
28	Our Let It BeKamikita Ken		Ken Kamikita's cover song sings of loss and promise
29	PhoenixSaitō Kazuyoshi		Powerful rock dedicated to Kiyoshiro Imawano
30	afterglowSugimoto Rarara		A song that reflects thoughts of someone lost onto the starry sky
31	Hello,my friendMatsutōya Yumi		A famous song by Yumi Matsutoya that depicts thoughts for someone lost at summer’s end
32	Because you’re not hereTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s song depicting a sense of loss and prayer
33	Even if I’m not there.Hirai Dai		A heartwarming song that sings of love and hopes for the children of the future
34	tearsSEKAI NO OWARI		A moving song that portrays a farewell with a friend
35	amberSEKAI NO OWARI		A moving song that quietly sings of parting and bonds
36	Someday, become a starJonan		A ballad that expresses love and gratitude for an eternal farewell
37	Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi		A masterpiece by Kenshi Yonezu that expresses sorrow and affection
38	Staticenemu		A moving song depicting the loss of family and lingering regret
39	shooting starShiono-ya Sayaka		A ballad that gently sings of farewells and memories
40	SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s rock song of hope and love
41	You in OctoberSekitori Hana		A song by Hana Sekitori that gently sings about the sorrow of parting
42	In the Circling Love: A Hymn to Mother Toward HeavenMetis		A moving ballad about love for a mother and overcoming farewell
43	red collarYoshida Yamada		A warm yet bittersweet song depicting a farewell with a pet
44	Say it.Yorushika		A song of farewell to a loved one and profound sorrow
45	lampSakiyama Soshi		The Jujutsu Kaisen ending theme song produced by Soushi Sakiyama
46	leap day personRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS's movie theme song
47	If you call it loveUru		Uru’s song “Sore wo Ai to Yobu nara” portrays love and growth
48	LeoYuuri		Depicting the bond with an owner and parting, from a dog's perspective
49	aspiration; longing; ardent desireFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama's movie theme song ballad
50	globeYonezu Kenshi		A song by Kenshi Yonezu imbued with thoughts for the deceased and hope for the future
51	I long to see you now.MISIA		A powerful song by MISIA themed around life
52	Anytime Anywheremilet		Turn the memories with your loved ones into the strength to live
53	366 daysHY		A classic song by HY. The heartache of a broken love and the strength to move forward.
54	Clouds and GhostsYorushika		A heartfelt song in which the protagonist, now a ghost, longs for the deceased
55	One more time, One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		A classic song by Masayoshi Yamazaki that expresses a sense of loss
56	futureKobukuro		Kobukuro’s “Mirai” is a song of hope and love
57	To my belovedMoriyama Naotaro		A ballad filled with thoughts for someone lost
58	Love Funeral feat. majikokeichan		Kei-chan delicately expresses lost love
59	LemonYonezu Kenshi		Introducing Kenshi Yonezu’s signature song “Lemon.”
60	budKobukuro		A moving masterpiece filled with gratitude and love for my mother
61	I can’t put it into wordsOda Kazumasa		Kazumasa Oda’s “Kotoba ni Dekinai” is a masterpiece that expresses deep emotion and love.
62	the scent of flowersMr.Children		Mr.Children's “Hana no Nioi” is a song of gratitude to someone who has passed away.
63	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		A song of gratitude that Hikaru Utada dedicated to her mother
64	Prayer FlowerHirai Dai		A ballad of love and gratitude for someone dear
65	FlowerJUJU		JUJU’s “Hana” chosen as a movie theme song, portraying a mother-daughter relationship
66	apoptosisOfisharu Higedan Dism		A song that portrays cell death and the finiteness of life
67	One LoveEXILE		EXILE’s moving farewell message song
68	Memories from todayAimer		Aimer sings earnestly of her feelings for the departed
69	Thank you…KOKIA		KOKIA's 'Arigatou…' is a song of gratitude and hope.
70	NonfictionHirai Ken		Ken Hirai’s earnest feelings sung about a friend’s suicide
71	Goodbye, thank youNatsukawa Rimi		Rimi Natsukawa’s single that sings gratitude to the departed
72	DeparturesAI		AI sings the theme song of the film Departures
73	The Day I Became a JewelBUMP OF CHICKEN		A song of sorrow and hope that sings of bereavement
74	contrailMatsutōya Yumi		Revival hit song from a Studio Ghibli film
75	AND I LOVE YOUDREAMS COME TRUE		A moving song imbued with a message to a late husband
76	Goodbye, my beloved.Hana＊Hana		Hanahana’s signature song, a message to her grandfather
77	Things that have formShibasaki Kou		Words of a woman leaving behind someone dear to her
78	cherry blossoms drifting awayUtada Hikaru		A song of feelings for the lost and a resolve to live
79	If you wish for a miracle…JUJU		Depicting the inner turmoil of losing a loved one
80	YC&K		A moving song by C&K depicting bereavement
81	Instead of goodbyeTUBE × GACKT		A collaboration song by TUBE and GACKT that gently embraces a breakup
82	Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi		A Thousand Winds is a famous song for commemorating the deceased.
83	Letter to the SkyGReeeeN		GReeeeN's breakup song
84	A world without you is heartbreaking.CHIHIRO		The sorrow of losing a loved one
85	Phantom LifeSEKAI NO OWARI		The message of life and death, music that resonates with the heart
86	Gold ~Until We Meet Again~Utada Hikaru		A tribute to a loved one and a wish to meet again
87	Prayer Flower 2020Hirai Dai		A prayerful ballad set against the backdrop of the earthquake disaster
88	Because you are hereUru		A warm ballad song that thinks of the departed
89	Thank youMACO		A song of feelings for a friend who died from illness
90	spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota		A song that depicts Tota-san’s life and death
91	brilliant; radiant; glittering; bright (sunlight)Miura Daichi		Daichi Miura’s “燆燆” is the theme song of the NHK morning drama.
92	I want to see you.yuzu		A song that expresses a heartfelt wish for someone who has passed away
93	The Final RiverCHEMISTRY		Singing gratitude to a loved one in the face of death
94	Song of CandyBUMP OF CHICKEN		A ballad by BUMP OF CHICKEN about trust and bonds
95	LostPorunogurafiti		A song of mourning and loss for a loved one
96	You are dead.Kanzaki Iori		A song that portrays the sorrow of losing a loved one
97	Missing YouMirei Touyama		A song that portrays the grief of a girl who lost her mother
98	Tears of MagnoliaStardust Revue		Stardust Revue’s melancholic ballad
99	lamplightYuga		A heartwarming song that expresses bonds and love with a gentle singing voice
100	I want to see you.sawada chikako		Introduction to Chikaco Sawada’s classic song “Aitai”
101	eightIU		IU's moving masterpiece 'Eight' and her feelings for a friend
102	Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi		Tears for You by Rimi Natsukawa
103	TSUZUKUikimonogakari		Moving forward while holding on to memories
104	The Day of DepartureJULEPS		A song with lyrics from the perspective of someone facing death
105	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Memories of a departed lover and a vow
106	Your SkyOku Hanako		Thoughts on farewell and reunion through rebirth
107	planetariumOtsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s “Planetarium” sings of the sadness of unrequited love.
108	If I Hadn’t Met You ~Summer Snow Winter Flower~Aimer		Aimer’s signature song portrays forbidden love
109	HitotsuboshiKOH+		KOH⁺ produces the movie’s theme song “Hitotsuboshi”
110	I want to see you.Yoshida Yamada		Even as the seasons change, my feelings for the one who has passed do not.
111	Blue HabitatKitanitatsuya		Tatsuya Kitani performs the anime’s theme song with “Ao no Sumika.”
112	Harubaraparesoshina		An emotional new song by Soshina, filled with feelings for his father who passed away at 17.
113	Sakura Rain, SomedayMatsu Takako		Introduction to a heartbreaking ballad by Takako Matsu
114	A song dedicated to my belovedKuwata Keisuke		A refreshing song by Keisuke Kuwata that sings of thoughts for someone who has passed away.
115	NatsuneGLAY		A GLAY song about a breakup with a summer theme
116	Love songSambomasutā		A Love Song for Someone Who's Gone
117	Parting Flowersurii		Suri’s new song about a breakup
118	Killed by the SunBUCK-TICK		Express the sorrow of life in a despairing tone
119	Condolences, and life goes onUtagana Roku ft. Uramei		Even after losing someone important, everyday life goes on.
120	Love fallsKato Miria		Miliyah Kato sings of love for someone who became a star
121	Smiling DownONE OK ROCK		A requiem for a friend, heartfelt feelings of a precious farewell
122	Heaven PhoneIshizaki Hyuui		The lyrics of a phone call to the deceased in heaven pierce my heart
123	Drawing #2: Spring LightPorunogurafiti		A lyrical number by Porno Graffitti
124	ECHOFujifaburikku		A song of deep love and remembrance for the departed
125	Black Boots ~oh my friend~SOPHIA		A song SOPHIA wrote in memory of a departed friend
126	afterimageflumpool		A song that likens memories to afterimages
127	himawariMr.Children		Mr.Children’s exquisite theme song
128	Hiraethmoumoon		A poignant song that sings of love and feelings for the deceased.
129	the same storyHanbaato Hanbaato		The deeper meaning of Humbert Humbert’s “Onaji Hanashi”
130	For loveAAAMYYY		Rising from the void after losing a beloved person
131	secretBIGMAMA		A bittersweet song filled with feelings for someone precious
132	Hiroamazarashi		A song that sings of sorrow for a friend and the strength to live
133	TearsX JAPAN		X JAPAN father-loving ballad
134	Let’s go home.Fuji Kaze		A masterpiece that gently portrays the boundary between life and death, resonating in the heart.
135	I want to keep gazing at you.ZARD		A song filled with the resolve to face bereavement
136	ALONEB’z		Lyrics from a B’z ballad depicting heartbreak and bereavement
137	formulaOkazaki Taiiku		A sorrowful song by Okazaki Taiiku about bereavement
138	A love song dedicated to youHamada Shogo		A resolve to overcome the love for my late wife and the sorrow of farewell
139	Wind NagiSuga Shikao		A ballad that portrays the sorrow of thinking about the presence Suga Shikao has lost
140	AM11:00HY		The two of us in our memories are eternal
141	swanyuzu		A song depicting the final farewell with a loved one
142	Let me hear the poetry of the wind.Kuwata Keisuke		Keisuke Kuwata’s movie theme song, a gentle and love-filled track
143	eternityDo As Infinity		A song by Do As Infinity. Lyrics from when I lost my grandmother.
144	Lostyama		yama takes on a challenge with a ballad
145	good nightEvery Little Thing		Every Little Thing new song
146	Seventeen-Year-Old AngelMayo Okamoto		Mayo Okamoto’s jazzy song of sorrow
147	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
148	My last dayYu-anesu		Parting at the brink of life and death, a heartfelt yearning for my mother
149	I miss youHayashibe Satoshi		From a music program, Tomofumi Hayashibe’s moving song “Aitai”
150	Memorial addressHamasaki Ayumi		A heartrending song that expresses unstable emotions
151	1106WANIMA		A song by WANIMA expressing feelings for his late grandfather
152	A Farewell SongKumaki Anri		A song about feelings for someone who has passed away
153	Beautiful nameThe Back Horn		Introducing THE BACK HORN’s signature song “Utsukushii Namae” (“Beautiful Name”)
154	I know how you feelIipurugisu no Yoru		A song that portrays the sorrow of losing someone dear and the differing values people hold.
155	I had been waiting for summer.amazarashi		Summer scene depictions by amazarashi
156	setting sunToukyou Jihen		The appeal of Tokyo Jihen’s classic song “Rakujitsu”
157	The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro		A gem of a ballad that gently sings of summer’s end
158	Rain that is no one’s faultNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima's enigmatic and weighty songs
159	Until I become a starYubara Masayuki		Overcoming parting and believing in tomorrow
160	cherry blossomBUCK-TICK		A leading Japanese rock band that has never gone on hiatus
161	Happyaimyon		A song by Aimyon about parting with someone important to her
162	Spirit Boat (Shoro Nagashi)sadamasashi		A gem of a ballad that conveys the pain of loss with a gentle melody
163	flower burialL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		Introduction to L'Arc-en-Ciel's 11th single
164	Beyond this starry skyMayo Okamoto		Accepting the death of a loved one and moving forward
165	Live.Suiyōbi no Campanella & yahyel		A song that conveys the importance of living
166	White lilies on my birthdayFukuyama Masaharu		Expressing feelings for the departed with white lilies
167	SamsaraMiyata Satoshi		An epic track that explores the preciousness and meaning of life through encounters and farewells.
168	John’s Pure Love StoryHigashi Maki		A warm message song from a dog's perspective
169	The Toilet GodUemura Kana		An inspiring song about family love based on Kana Uemura’s true story with her grandmother
170	SolaninASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION		A moving song that depicts the farewell and rebirth of youth
171	Sorrowful WarriorMoriguchi Hiroko featuring Oshio Kotarō		Gundam Theme Song, Sorrow of the Warrior
172	See you again（remix）zundare		A war critique that questions the sanctity of life
173	A world without goodbyesŌhashi Torio		A song by Ohashi Trio that embraces farewell
174	In this world without you.fumika		Grief over losing a loved one and rebirth
175	my starRozarīna		Rosalina’s farewell theme song, the strength to move forward
176	Hide-and-seekBIGMAMA		Gentle music that stays close to the heart with a sense of loss
177	squallMONGOL800		A slow ballad depicting deep sorrow and a sense of loss
178	dearestFukuyama Masaharu		Ballad song by Masaharu Fukuyama and Kou Shibasaki
179	Sorrow Rides the Busmakaroni enpitsu		An inspiring song by Macaroni Empitsu
180	PromiseKōda Kumi		Kumi Koda’s heartrending love sing