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Was your loved one a superfan of Garth Brooks? If so, you might be considering using a Garth Brooks song at their funeral (or at least in the accompanying music for the funeral slideshow.)
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Garth Brooks Songs for a Grandparent’s Funeral
- Garth Brooks Songs for a Parent’s Funeral
- Sorrowful Garth Brooks Songs for a Funeral
- Happy Garth Brooks Songs for a Funeral
Before you start planning the service, consider the tone of the funeral. If you are having a celebration of life at a local bar, you could undoubtedly choose more lighthearted songs that remind you of the one you lost. However, if the funeral will be at a church or funeral home, you might want to select a more somber song.
Also, before you give the list of songs to the service officiant, do a reality check. Have several people read the lyrics to make sure there aren’t any inappropriate comments or innuendos that you would be embarrassed to uncover at the time of the service.
Here are some songs to consider.
Garth Brooks Songs for a Grandparent’s Funeral
There are plenty of great country music funeral songs, but only a couple are typically used from Garth Brooks’ string of hits. You might want to think about using one of these songs for your grandparent’s funeral.
Are you not sure what song to choose? Why not pick a piece that was important to your grandparents during their dating years or a song they danced to at an anniversary party?
1. “Unto You This Night” from Praise Hymn Tracks
Some would argue that “Unto You This Night” is a Christmas song, but because it is not a classic one (like “Silent Night”), there’s no reason that you couldn’t use it for your grandparent’s funeral.
This song tells the story of Jesus’ birth. If your grandparents were passionate about sharing their Christian beliefs, you might consider using it.
2. “What I’m Thankful For” from Christmas Together
Did your grandparent have a thankful heart? Consider using this song at their funeral. It includes many poignant stanzas, including:
“For those that came before my turn
Oh, from whom I’ve gathered lessons learned
That light the path that lies ahead
I see them as I bow my head.”
3. “Love Will Always Win” from The Lost Sessions
Are you looking for a song that celebrates love? Consider “Love Will Always Win,” a song written by Travis Greene.
4. “Fish” from Man Against Machine
Did your grandparent share the secrets of a happy life with you? This song is about the simple happiness that comes while you fish. If you enjoyed fishing with your grandparents, this might be your song.
Garth Brooks Songs for a Parent’s Funeral
Making decisions immediately after a loved one dies is extremely difficult. People often report having a “foggy brain” during times of extreme grief and stress, and picking something as simple as the type of flower for the service may leave you in tears.
Because we know how hard it is, we have created several lists to help you with some of the decisions. Search for the best funeral songs for Dad or Mom. Here are some by Garth you might want to consider.
5. “Go Tell It On the Mountain” from Beyond the Season
Was your mom or dad eager to share their faith with others? While this song is traditionally a Christmas song, its central message is to tell the story of Christ’s birth.
This song has been recorded thousands of times by many different artists, but Garth Brooks’ version is particularly good. Check it out.
6. “Mom” from Man Against Machine
Moms are celebrated in this little-known song by Garth. It includes the stanza:
“And when she’s talking to you, make sure you listen close
’Cause she’s gonna teach you everything you’ll ever need to know
Like how to mind your manners, to love and laugh and dream
She’ll put you on the path that brings you back to me.”
7. “Ireland” from Fresh Horses
Did your loved one celebrate their Irish heritage? Consider this song for their funeral. It includes the stanza:
“Ireland, I am coming home
I can see your rolling fields of green
And fences made of stone
I am reaching out, won’t you take my hand
I’m coming home, Ireland.”
8. “The River” from Ropin’ the Wind
“The River” is one of Garth Brooks’ most popular songs and is about the good and bad times that occur through life.
“There’s bound to be rough waters
And I know I’ll take some falls
But with the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all...yes.”
Sorrowful Garth Brooks Songs for a Funeral
If you look at a list of the best funeral songs of all time, most of them have serious or sorrowful tones. This is appropriate when you are saying goodbye to someone you loved.
Here are some sad Garth Brooks songs that you might use as background music during the visitation or as a part of the funeral or graveside service.
9. “The Dance” from The Ultimate Hits
Probably one of the most popular Garth Brooks’ funeral songs is “The Dance.” While it’s not specifically about death, it is about the pain that follows a relationship that ends.
The bittersweet chorus reads:
“And now I’m glad I didn’t know
The way it all would end, the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I’d have had to miss the dance.”
10. “If Tomorrow Never Comes” from Garth Brooks
Warning, this song would be a heart-wrenching song for a funeral. The speaker is questioning whether or not their loved ones knew how much they were loved before they died.
“’Cause I’ve lost loved ones in my life
Who never knew how much I loved them
Now I live with the regret
That my true feelings for them never were revealed.”
11. “Stronger Than Me” from FUN
A man sings praises of his wife in “Stronger Than Me.” This song ends with the poignant statement:
“And if I have a choice, I pray God takes me first
’Cause she’s stronger
Than me.”
Happy Garth Brooks Songs for a Funeral
Some people choose to have a Celebration of Life following (or instead of) a traditional funeral. These Garth songs might also be good choices if your loved one was known for being particularly fun-loving or the ultimate cowboy.
It’s ok for people to laugh or smile at a funeral as they remember fun times they had with their friend or relative. Some of these songs will surely make attendees smile – or break out into song.
12. “Friends in Low Places” from The Ultimate Hits
This classic Garth song is not a typical funeral song. You could argue that it’s not even appropriate. With that said, you might consider using “Friends in Low Places” if this was a favorite of your loved one or if you are having a celebration of life.
13. “Good Ride Cowboy” from The Lost Sessions
Are you saying goodbye to a cowboy who had a zest for life? This would be a fun choice as a funeral song. It includes this stanza:
“Then he crossed that River Jordan
With St. Peter on the other side
Singin’ ‘Good ride, cowboy, good ride.’
Say, ‘Good ride, cowboy, good ride!’”
14. “Fit for a King” from Sevens
Was your loved one a strong Christian who looked forward to being in Heaven? If the deceased didn’t value material possessions, consider playing “Fit for a King.” It includes the stanza:
“Son, it ain’t what you’re drivin’ or the clothes that you wear
Material possessions won’t matter up there
Someday in heaven with the angels, I’ll sing
And these rags that I’m wearin’ will be fit for a king.”
15. “A Friend to Me” from Sevens
We love this song that celebrates friendship. If you were asked to share a song at a friend’s funeral, consider this one that paints a truthful portrait of what it means to be a friend.
16. “Message in a Bottle” from FUN
Was your loved one known for having an upbeat, positive personality? Celebrate this by playing this song at the funeral. It will surely bring a smile to the faces of those attending. The lyrics to the chorus reads:
“I put a message in a bottle
And then I asked the Lord above
For anybody who may find it
To open happiness and love
And hear the sounds of children laughing
People dancing in the street
I put a message in a bottle
Made a wish and set it free.”
What Song Do You Want at Your Funeral?
Have you ever been so moved by a Garth Brooks song that you wanted to use it at your funeral? Having a song played that you selected would be especially meaningful for your family, so don’t shy away from letting your opinion be known. If you have a song idea, make sure you record it in your end-of-life plan.
