[Music Funeral] BGM to Remember the Deceased | Spotlight on Requiems and Dirges Praying for Peace
In recent years, the term “music funeral” has become more common, and it’s increasingly popular to play music at funerals to honor the deceased.
It’s also said that more people are choosing songs in advance during their lifetime, entrusting their feelings to music as a way to express gratitude and love.
In this article, we introduce several recommended songs for remembering the departed and for use as funeral background music.
We’ve gathered a variety of pieces—songs that express feelings for the deceased, songs that convey gratitude for the past, classical works including requiems, and calm J-pop—so please use this as a reference.
- Songs to Play at My Own Funeral: Timeless Gems to Make Farewells Uniquely My Own
- [Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing someone dear. Tracks to listen to while thinking of a loved one.
- [Thank-You Song] A song to convey your feelings of “thank you” to someone special
- [Bereavement Song] To you whom I can no longer meet... Tear-jerking songs about death
- [Memorial Song] A moving classic and love song dedicated to a beloved person embarking on a journey to heaven
- Masterpieces of requiems and dirges
- A song I want people who have lost a beloved partner to listen to
- Great songs recommended for people in their 80s: a collection of tracks with lyrics that touch the heart
- A gentle song. A classic that calms the heart. A song that makes you feel kind.
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- A nostalgic song—a timeless classic that somehow feels familiar and touches the heart.
- [Standard] A compilation of popular songs recommended for award ceremonies [Classical / BGM]
- [For when you want to cry or feel sad] Tear-jerking masterpieces that make you cry when you listen
[Music Funeral] BGM to Remember the Deceased | Spotlight on Requiems and Dirges Praying for Peace (11–20)
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 “Choral,” from the 4th movement: “Ode to Joy”Ludwig van Beethoven
An immortal masterpiece woven by a grand orchestra and chorus.
Ludwig van Beethoven completed it over the course of about nine years while battling his lost hearing.
At its premiere in May 1824, the audience erupted in thunderous applause, but the already deaf Beethoven did not notice until a singer turned him around—an episode that has been passed down as deeply moving.
In Japan, this work is also known for being performed nationwide at the end of the year.
It is a piece that resonates with the heart, one that sends off life’s farewells not only with sorrow, but with gratitude for the path traveled and with hope.
Requiem in D minor, Op. 48Gabriel Fauré
Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, counted among the three great requiems, omits the Dies irae that is typically included in a requiem mass and therefore does not fully conform to the structure of a liturgical mass.
For this reason it drew criticism, such as the claim that it “does not express the fear of death.” It is said that Fauré himself did not regard death as something sorrowful, but as a release into happiness.
Filled with a tranquility absent from other requiems, this work seems to embody the original meaning of requiem: “rest.”
A flower that blooms only hereKobukuro
A classic by Kobukuro whose gentle, embracing melody and heartfelt lyrics leave listeners with a warm feeling.
The song carries a message about reexamining the irreplaceable things found only in a particular place, even when facing life’s hardships, resulting in a piece filled with quiet hope.
Released in May 2005 as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “Ruri no Shima,” it was born from the encounter with a story set on an island in Okinawa.
With lyrics that portray rich natural scenery and a sense of inner peace, it captured the hearts of many.
It’s a recommended song for those who, in moments of seeing off a loved one, wish to offer gratitude to the departed along with warm memories.
threadNakajima Miyuki
A signature work by Miyuki Nakajima that likens the encounters and bonds in life to the warp and weft of a delicate woven fabric.
The lyrics, which warmly portray people leaning on and supporting one another, evoke deep empathy in listeners.
Released in October 1992 as a track on the album “EAST ASIA,” the song drew major attention when it was chosen in 1998 as the theme for the TBS drama “March of the Saints.” In 2016, its universal message and beautiful melody were highly acclaimed, earning it the JASRAC Gold Award.
It has continued to be loved across generations, inspiring a film of the same name in 2020.
Expressing gratitude to those who have departed while gently embracing the hearts of those left behind, it is a piece that resonates deeply at funerals and memorials.
Thank you…KOKIA
Singer-songwriter KOKIA’s third single “Arigatou…” was released in 1999.
It became a hit not only in Japan but also in Hong Kong, and it’s easy to see why there are cover versions as well—it’s a deeply moving song.
KOKIA’s voice slips gently into a tender, cleansing melody, and the simple yet precious word that we use so often—“thank you”—really hits home.
There are many things we might want to say to someone who has passed away, but if we had to choose just one, wouldn’t it be “thank you”?
Departures ~memory~Hisaishi Joe
A gem-like instrumental piece that colored the film Departures (Okuribito).
The profound tones performed by thirteen of Japan’s leading cellists and the lyrical melodies strike straight to the heart.
Meticulously crafted by Joe Hisaishi, the music beautifully conveys, alongside the film’s themes, both the solemnity and warmth inherent in the profession of a nokanshi—those who prepare the deceased for their final journey.
Also included on the album “Songs of Hope: The Essential Joe Hisaishi Vol.
2,” this work was released as the film’s soundtrack in September 2008 and won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Music that year.
It was also used in the 2010 stage adaptation, where live performances captivated audiences.
This is a highly recommended piece for moments of parting with someone dear—when you wish to quietly send them off while cherishing the memories you shared.
[Music Funeral] Background Music to Remember the Deceased | Also Featuring Requiems and Laments Praying for Peace (21–30)
Requiem in D minor, K. 626Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
This piece was commissioned through an anonymous messenger, and Mozart was working on it up until just before his death.
After being bedridden for a time, he passed away at the young age of 35, leaving many sections unfinished.
A Requiem is, by origin, a liturgical vocal work written to be performed at the Catholic Church’s “Mass for the Dead.” Its text uses Latin liturgical passages composed of words and verses drawn from the Bible.
In addition to praise of God and union with Him, it includes depictions of the “Last Judgment” found in the Bible and prayers that the dead may be saved from that judgment and granted eternal rest.
