Granted, most people would not automatically turn to Pink Floyd to find a funeral song for their loved one’s end-of-life event. However, if the deceased was a superfan of this classic rock band, you might have difficulty narrowing down the list of songs to play.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Sad or Sorrowful Pink Floyd Songs for a Funeral
- Uplifting Pink Floyd Songs for a Funeral
- Pink Floyd Songs for a Parent’s Funeral
- Pink Floyd Songs for an Adult Child’s Funeral
Before you choose the song for your loved one’s funeral, take a moment to read the lyrics to make sure they are suitable for the event and location. It would only take a minute and would be worth it to keep from suffering the embarrassment of playing a song that does not honor the life of the dead.
Before you choose the funeral songs for your loved one’s funeral, consider the others who will be attending the event. While some songs on this list may give you comfort at the funeral for a loved one, they might make others uncomfortable.
Sad or Sorrowful Pink Floyd Songs for a Funeral
Most of Pink Floyd’s work has a sorrowful tone because the band tended to write about serious issues, such as war, depression, mental illness, isolation, and greed.
Some would say that the themes and tone in Pink Floyd’s music would make it a natural choice to play at funerals. Others may select the pieces because they were favorites of their loved ones.
Here are some sad Pink Floyd songs to consider.
1. “Wish You Were Here” from Wish You Were Here
According to an analysis from the American Songwriter website, the song “Wish You Were Here” “deals with that mental inability – the refusal, even – to engage with reality.” The song ends with a haunting few seconds of the sound of the wind.
2. “Comfortably Numb” from The Wall
Consider carefully whether “Comfortably Numb” would be an appropriate choice for your loved one’s funeral. Although the song isn’t necessarily about death, it includes the following lyrics:
“There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship, smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move, but I can’t hear what you’re saying.”
3. “Hey You” from The Wall
Song Facts explains that the song “Hey You” was written as the result of the breakup of Roger Waters’ marriage. While it certainly has a melancholy tone, the lyrics imply that there is comfort in being with others.
4. “Eclipse” from Dark Side of the Moon
The song “Eclipse” ends with a fading heartbeat and drumbeat for the last 41 seconds. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, the song’s ending gives the album a “circular motif of life and death.”
5. “The Thin Ice” from The Wall
The thin ice warns us that life sometimes doesn’t turn out as we hoped. The song ends with the following lyrics:
“Don’t be surprised when a crack in the ice
Appears under your feet
You slip out of your depth and out of your mind
With your fear flowing out behind you
As you claw the thin ice.”
6. “Wearing the Inside Out” from Pink Floyd
Some say this song is about depression, while others say it is about isolation. Though it is certainly not a typical funeral song, it might work for some.
7. “Echoes” from Pink Floyd
Roger Waters is quoted as saying that this song is about “the potential that human beings have for recognizing each other’s humanity and responding to it, with empathy rather than antipathy.”
8. “Two Suns in the Sunset” from The Final Cut
While this song is about the finality of nuclear war, some suggest that it might be an appropriate funeral song. The song ends with the following line:
“Finally I understand the feelings of the few
Ashes and diamonds
Foe and friend
We were all equal in the end.”
Uplifting Pink Floyd Songs for a Funeral
We found a few “uplifting” songs for a funeral. You might also look at other rock funeral songs before you pick the right piece for your loved one’s services.
9. “The Great Gig in the Sky” from Dark Side of the Moon
This is one of the only songs on our list that is about death. The entire lyrics to the song reads as follows:
“I am not frightened of dying
Any time will do, I don’t mind
Why should I be frightened of dying?
There’s no reason for it. You’ve gotta go sometime.”
10. “Money” from The Dark Side of the Moon
Is “Money” from Pink Floyd an appropriate funeral song? We will leave that decision to you. While the lyrics include a list of items money can buy, it certainly is clear to point out its problems.
11. “Learning to Fly” from A Momentary Lapse of Reason
Even though it seems as if this song is about the physical act of learning to fly an airplane, the imagery might lead one to think of other things.
“There’s no sensation to compare with this
Suspended animation, a state of bliss
Can’t keep my mind from the circling sky.”
12. “Fearless” from Meddle
Most say that “Fearless” is about meeting challenges in the face of adversity. It was the third track on this album that the band released in 1971.
Pink Floyd Songs for a Parent’s Funeral
Planning a memorial service for someone who left behind no plans can be extremely difficult.
After all, besides picking songs for the funeral, there are a lot of big decisions to be made. For example, did your parent want to be buried or cremated? Where did they want their final remains to be placed?
One of the greatest gifts you can leave behind for your family is a funeral plan and a pre-funded funeral.
If your mom or dad were huge Pink Floyd fans, you might consider playing a song off our list for their funeral.
13. “Celestial Voices” from A Saucerful of Secrets
This song has no lyrics, but many people feel it is the perfect Pink Floyd song to play at a funeral. Check out the video of the band playing this song at Pompeii.
14. “Us and Them” from The Dark Side of the Moon
While this song is about the senselessness of war, its message and tone may be your choice for your parent’s funeral if your mom or dad were Pink Floyd fans.
15. “On the Turning Away” from A Momentary Lapse of Reason
Most lyric websites say that this song’s lyrics instruct us NOT to turn away from the bad things that happen in the world. Perhaps you could choose to play this at a funeral for a parent involved in social justice issues.
16. “When the Tigers Broke Free” from The Final Cut
Roger Waters wrote this song about his father’s death during the Battle of Anzio during World War II.
Pink Floyd Songs for an Adult Child’s Funeral
Saying goodbye to an adult child can be extremely difficult. If your son or daughter was a big fan of Pink Floyd, you might want to play a few of their songs at your adult child’s end-of-life events.
17. “Another Brick in the Wall” from The Wall
“Another Brick in the Wall” is probably the most popular song by Pink Floyd. If the song’s message of anti-conformity describes your adult child, you might consider using it during the funeral slideshow or as background music at the meal.
18. “Breathe” from The Dark Side of the Moon
“Breathe” includes this advice on how to live:
“Look around, choose your own ground
For long you live and high you fly
And smiles you’ll give and tears you’ll cry
And all you touch and all you see
Is all your life will ever be.”
19. “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” from Wish You Were Here
Again, you have to determine whether this is an appropriate song for your adult child’s funeral. According to Song Facts, the band wrote this song in tribute to a previous band member who had mental illness following extended drug use.
There’s a Lot to Consider When Picking Funeral Songs
It’s worth noting that if your loved one’s funeral is held in a religious setting, some of the songs on this list may not be approved by the officiant. However, there are other ways to celebrate your loved one’s music tastes.
Consider having a photo slideshow with these songs playing in the background. Next, create an online memorial page and post videos of your loved one’s favorites. Finally, play Pink Floyd music during the meal after the service.