Co-op Funeralcare reveals the UK’s top funeral songs from the last 12 months, with ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ and ‘My Way’ taking the overall top two spots.
Tina Turner’s ‘The Best’ and Westlife’s ‘You Raise Me Up’ re-enter the overall top 10 list this year, replacing songs such as ‘Dancing in the Sky’ and the hymn ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ which appeared in Co-op Funeralcare’s last funeral music chart in 2023.
Following the announcement of Oasis’ reunion, ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ has climbed five places to number two on the Indie funeral chart.
Sam Fender’s ‘Spit of You’ enters the charts for the first time, taking the number five spot in the Indie funeral chart.
Some of the quirkiest funeral songs from the last 12 months include ‘We Like to Party!’ by Vengaboys, ‘Gangnam Style’ by PSY, Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, and the soundtrack to the movie Jaws.
‘Abide With Me’ is the only hymn to feature in the overall top 10, and the top sports song played at funerals remains ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
Max George, member of the band The Wanted, comments on this year’s chart as well as the power of music to bring people together and to start important conversations surrounding funeral wishes.
Co-op Funeralcare, the UK’s leading funeral provider, has today released its 2025 Funeral Music Chart. The hot list, which first launched in 2002, sees Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman’s ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ top of the funeral music chart for the second time in a row, followed by Frank Sinatra’s iconic ‘My Way’.
Based on data and insights from Co-op Funeralcare’s very own funeral directors and arrangers, who conduct more than 90,000 funerals per year on average, the funeral music chart is published every two years revealing the latest non-movers, risers, and new entries.
Tina Turner’s ‘The Best’ and Westlife’s ‘You Raise Me Up’ re-enter the overall top 10 list this year, replacing songs such as ‘Dancing in the Sky’ by Dani & Lizzy which featured in Co-op Funeralcare’s last funeral music chart in 2023. ‘You Raise Me Up’ was a new entry in the top 10 in 2019, potentially due to Westlife’s reformation in 2018 after a long hiatus. The song has not since featured in the top 10 until this year’s chart, which could be due to the band celebrating its 25 anniversary this year with special performances.
The re-entry of Tina Turner’s ‘The Best’ into the overall top 10 may also reflect a renewed cultural focus on the artist. Since the last funeral music chart data was collected, Tina Turner has sadly passed away, prompting an outpouring of tributes and memorials in her honour.
Overall top 10 1. Time to Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman 2. My Way – Frank Sinatra 3. Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Eva Cassidy 4. You’ll Never Walk Alone – Liverpool FC 5. The Best – Tina Turner 6. Supermarket Flowers – Ed Sheeran 7. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler 8. Abide With Me (hymn) 9. We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn 10. You Raise Me Up – Westlife
Elsewhere, following the band’s reunion announcement last summer, Oasis’ ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ has climbed five spots to land in second place of the Indie funeral chart. Meanwhile, Sam Fender’s ‘Spit of You’ entered the charts for the first time, with the Geordie singer releasing new music over the past 12 months and embarking on a highly anticipated UK tour.
Some songs have seen a rise in popularity within the overall top 10 since 2023, such as Eva Cassidy’s ‘Over the Rainbow’ which is up three places taking the number three spot, while others have declined in popularity such as Ed Sheeran’s ‘Supermarket Flowers’ falling by three places to number six, and Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ falling by four places to number nine.
The only hymn to feature in this year’s top 10 list is ‘Abide With Me’, with ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ dropping off the list since 2023’s chart.
Many quirky songs were played at funerals over the last year, including ‘Ding Dong the Witch is Dead’ from The Wizard of Oz, ‘Gangnam Style’ by PSY, ‘Dance Monkey’ by Tones & I, the Jaws movie soundtrack, and ‘We Like to Party!’ by Vengaboys.
10 most unique songs 1. We Like to Party! – Vengaboys 2. Ding Dong Witch is Dead – The Wizard of Oz 3. Gangnam Style – PSY 4. Jaws movie soundtrack 5. Dance Monkey – Tones & I 6. Countdown theme tune 7. Shipping Forecast theme 8. Firestarter – Prodigy 9. Highway to Hell – ACDC 10. 21 Seconds – So Solid Crew
Once again, Liverpool FC’s ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ by Gerry and the Pacemakers tops the sports chart, with Tina Turner’s ‘The Best’, a Rangers anthem, climbing to the number two spot from number five in 2023’s sports chart. Everton FC’s walkout song ‘Z Cars’ is a new entry in the top 10 sports chart this year at number four, but Manchester City’s ‘Blue Moon’, West Ham’s ‘I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles’, and Manchester United’s ‘Glory Glory Man United’ all dropped out of the list.
Meanwhile, songs synonymous with the BBC’s sports coverage remain key fixtures of the top 10 despite its F1 theme, Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’, falling out of the top five since 2023’s chart, dropping to number six. The Match of the Day theme tune remains strong in the top three, and BBC Cricket’s ‘Soul Limbo’ retains a top five spot.
Top 10 sports songs
- You’ll Never Walk Alone – Gerry and the Pacemakers (Liverpool FC and Celtic)
- The Best – Tina Turner (Rangers)
- Match of the Day theme tune
- Z Cars Theme – Johnny Keating (Everton)
- Soul Limbo – Booker T & The MGs (BBC Cricket)
- The Chain – Fleetwood Mac (BBC F1)
- Channel 4 Horse Racing Theme
- We are the Champions – Queen
- Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
- Local Hero (Going Home) – Mark Knopfler (Newcastle United)
Max George, member of the band The Wanted, said:
“Music has always been a big part of my life, both on and off the stage. I feel incredibly lucky to tour and share it with so many people – there’s nothing like the way a song can bring us together. Whether it’s in moments of pure joy or in moments of grief, music connects us in ways words often can’t.
“Hearing a song that someone you’ve lost once loved can be overwhelming; it’s emotional but also comforting. It brings memories flooding back and reminds you they’re still with you in some way. I think that breaking the taboo around discussing death and funeral wishes with loved ones is really important, and talking about your funeral song choices is an easy place to start. That’s why I love what Co-op Funeralcare’s music chart is doing. It’s a gentle, even fun, way to talk about the songs that really matter, making those difficult conversations about death that little bit easier, and it’s a reminder of how music stays with us, right to the very end.”
Gill Stewart, Managing Director of Co-op Funeralcare said:
“Music has a powerful way of bringing back memories, reflecting our personalities, and connecting us to loved ones. Choosing a song that is meaningful to you can be an important part of saying goodbye, whether it’s a traditional hymn or something light-hearted and quirky. While every funeral is unique and deeply personal, our annual music chart highlights the tracks that continue to resonate across the nation.
“This year, we’re continuing to encourage open conversations around end-of-life planning. Talking about the music you’d like at your funeral is a simple yet meaningful step and can offer real comfort to those left behind.”
To find out more and listen to some of the most requested songs, visit https://www.coop.co.uk/funeralcare/music/charts
