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A Shelf for Grieving Hearts

Music

For when a song says it better. A gathered playlist of pieces that meet grief where it is, to weep to, to remember by, or simply to keep you company in the quiet.

Halftone illustration of a hand holding a cassette tape labelled grief songs with headphones
Halftone poster reading Tears Keep Falling in glowing type on black
7 songs

For raw grief & missing them

For the days the ache has no words yet.

  1. 01Skinny LoveBon Iverfor ambient grief
  2. 02To Build a HomeThe Cinematic Orchestrafuneral-favourite
  3. 03Still CryingSara Bareillesfrom the grief album Good Grief (2026)
  4. 04HoloceneBon Iverand at once I knew I was not magnificent
  5. 05VincentDon McLeanwritten for an artist who died by suicide
  6. 06Fire and RainJames Taylorabout the suicide of his friend
  7. 07Tears in HeavenEric Claptonabout the death of his four-year-old son
Halftone illustration of two hands reaching toward each other in warm light
8 songs

For love that continues

Songs that keep them close rather than let them go.

  1. 01HomeSara Bareillesfrom the grief album Good Grief (2026)
  2. 02SongbirdEva Cassidy / Fleetwood Mac
  3. 03Wherever You Will GoThe Calling
  4. 04Drops of JupiterTrainoften used in grief contexts despite its surface levity
  5. 05Supermarket FlowersEd Sheeranwritten about his grandmother's death
  6. 06Fourth of JulySufjan Stevensabout his mother's death
  7. 07Slipped AwayAvril Lavigneabout her grandfather's death
  8. 08Keep Me in Your HeartWarren Zevonwritten knowing he was dying of cancer
Halftone illustration of a silhouetted figure amid soft pink and teal light
5 songs

For spiritual, reflective & gentle hope

For quiet hours, services, and slow returning light.

  1. 01Amazing GraceTraditionaluniversal
  2. 02Bridge Over Troubled WaterSimon & Garfunkel
  3. 03Lean on MeBill Withersfriend-grief
  4. 04Spirit in the SkyNorman Greenbaumfor less solemn moments
  5. 05SaturnSleeping at Lastoften played at funerals
Halftone illustration of a hand reaching toward wildflowers in a green field
4 songs

For sudden loss & shock

For grief that arrived without warning.

  1. 01Mad WorldGary Jules / Tears for Fears
  2. 02Everybody HurtsR.E.M.
  3. 03HurtJohnny Cash
  4. 04One More LightLinkin Parkwritten by Chester Bennington shortly before his suicide
Halftone illustration of a hand holding a small flowering branch in pink and blue light
4 songs

For parents & deep loss

For the losses that rearrange a life entirely.

  1. 01RonanTaylor Swiftabout the death of a 4-year-old
  2. 02Don't Take The GirlTim McGrawchild-loss country
  3. 03Beam of LightvariousSouth African gospel / lullaby possibilities
  4. 04Small BumpEd Sheeranabout miscarriage

Listen Now

Press play on a grief playlist

When the editorial shelf above isn't enough, these public Spotify playlists are gathered here to keep you company. Press play and let them run.

For raw grief & missing them

Grief Mix

by Spotify

A wide, aching mix for the heaviest first days.

For love that continues

Grief Songs That Get It

by Happy Grieving

Songs that hold the love that has nowhere left to go.

For spiritual, reflective & gentle hope

Piano for Healing

by Spotify

Wordless piano to sit beside you in the quiet.

For sudden loss & shock

Grief Sad Mix

by Spotify

For the disorientation and rawness of an unexpected loss.

For the quiet middle of the night

Grief Quiet Mix

by Spotify

Soft, low songs for when the house is still.

For a farewell service

Top 30 Funeral Songs

by Melbourne Entertainment Company

Familiar songs chosen often for memorial and funeral services.

Add to the playlist

Submit a Song

Is there a song that has carried you, one you play when you miss them, or one that finally said what you couldn't? Share it here, and it may find its way onto this shelf for someone else.

A moment…