[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.

Playlist

[Music Funeral] BGM to Remember the Deceased \| Spotlight on Requiems and Dirges Praying for Peace
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	I long to see you now.MISIA		Singing MISIA’s longing to meet her loved one
2	contrailMatsutōya Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya’s “Hikōkigumo” is a song inspired by a sick friend.
3	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s “Jidai” is an anthem that cheers on life.
4	I miss youRADWIMPS		A timeless requiem for the disaster, quietly singing of life and bonds
5	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora’s “Kawa no Nagare no Yō ni” is a masterpiece that evokes life and death.
6	Letter to the SkyGReeeeN		GReeeeN's breakup song
7	A song dedicated to my belovedKuwata Keisuke		Keisuke Kuwata’s song that sings of feelings for a loved one
8	I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu		Moving songs and music that resonate with the heart
9	SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE		An emotional ballad for a movie theme song
10	Requiem in B-flat majorJohann Christian Bach		An elegant mass by Bach's youngest son
11	aspiration; longing; ardent desireFukuyama Masaharu		A song that portrays a heartrending love and parting during wartime
12	Even if I’m not there.Hirai Dai		A dying father’s letter of love to his child
13	Close your eyesHirai Ken		A Ken Hirai ballad that delicately portrays the sense of loss of a loved one
14	Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi		Tearfully remembering my brother as an emotional support
15	Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 “Choral,” from the 4th movement: “Ode to Joy”Ludwig van Beethoven		Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, a masterpiece of hope and gratitude
16	Requiem in D minor, Op. 48Gabriel Fauré		Fauré’s Requiem regarded death as a release into happiness.
17	A flower that blooms only hereKobukuro		A heart-touching song by the famous duo Kobukuro
18	threadNakajima Miyuki		A classic song about the bonds of life, supporting each other
19	Thank you…KOKIA		KOKIA's moving thank-you song
20	Departures ~memory~Hisaishi Joe		The moving music from the film “Departures”
21	Requiem in D minor, K. 626Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Mozart's final unfinished piece, the Requiem
22	Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi		Healing the heart with songs that are messages from the deceased
23	Requiem in D-flat major, Op. 148Robert Schumann		A poetic and beautiful Requiem that Schumann wrote for himself.
24	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		Hanamizuki is a famous song imbued with a wish for peace.
25	1106WANIMA		WANIMA's famous song about saying goodbye to his grandfather
26	NonfictionHirai Ken		Ken Hirai's moving TV drama theme song
27	the scent of flowersMr.Children		Mr.Children classic ballad song
28	Etude Op.10 No.3 “Farewell”Frederic Chopin		Chopin’s piece has become firmly associated with the image of farewell.
29	The Final RiverCHEMISTRY		Movie theme song by CHEMISTRY
30	budKobukuro		Kobukuro’s moving single
31	The Poem of Beginnings, To YouIwasaki Hiromi		Hiromi Iwasaki's song of gratitude
32	Over the RainbowHarold Arlen		A classic song that sings of yearning for the other side of the rainbow
33	Because you are hereUru		A song that sings about the importance of conveying love through Uru’s heartrending vocals
34	dearestKOH+		The Galileo unit’s theme song is a requiem for unrequited love
35	Goodbyekariyushi 58		Kariyushi58’s breakup song, repeat until satisfied
36	CanonJohann Pachelbe		Pachelbel’s famous canon
37	planetariumOtsuka Ai		The Appeal of Ai Otsuka’s Ballads
38	I want to see you.Yoshida Yamada		A heartfelt feeling for my grandfather
39	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		A tribute song to Hikaru Utada’s mother
40	Let me hear the poetry of the wind.Kuwata Keisuke		A man's deep love for his family who loved the sea
41	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi’s classic song that encourages making life choices
42	YC&K		A ballad depicting a farewell with a loved one
43	FlowerORANGE RANGE		A poignant ballad by ORANGE RANGE
44	Always With MeKimura Yumi		The theme song of Spirited Away
45	Muen-zakasadamasashi		You can feel the love for his mother in Masashi Sada’s classic song “Muen-zaka.”
46	Thank youSMAP		The magical words of “thank you” that heal the heart
47	Thank youikimonogakari		Ikimono-gakari’s classic hit, a heartwarming song
48	To the futureKiroro		The creative background of Chiharu Tamaki’s song expressing gratitude to her mother
49	SubaruTanimura Shinji		The universal appeal of the timeless classic “Subaru,” a song in remembrance of the departed
50	I want to see you.Sawada Chikako		A song that stays close to the heart, thinking of the departed
51	Spirit Boat (Shoro Nagashi)gureepu		A song in memory of my cousin who died in a drowning accident
52	Amazing GraceJohn Newton		A hymn that sings gratitude for God's grace
53	Ave MariaFranz Schubert		A religious piece set to music from a poem by Scott
54	Air on the G StringJ.S.Bach		Bach’s masterpiece, Air on the G String
55	formulaOkazaki Taiiku		About Okazaki Taiiku’s ballad “Shiki”
56	No regrets in my lifeIshihara Yūjirō		Yujiro Ishihara’s last single released during his lifetime
57	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s classic song “Ue o Muite Arukou (Sukiyaki)” is popular for musical funerals.
58	applausechiaki naomi		A masterpiece that weaves sadness and hope
59	Hymn to MotherMetis		A moving song filled with gratitude to my mother