A Memorial Song as a Way to Remember Someone You Love

Sometimes a familiar song brings back a particular moment with someone. A memorial song gives you a place to put the details you want to remember, such as what they called you or a story you still tell about them.

It doesn’t have to sum up their whole life. One memory can be enough.

Keep the small details

A song becomes personal through the details that belong to your relationship. Think of the way they answered the phone, their favorite place to sit, or a joke they never tired of telling.

You don’t need polished words. Tell us what happened and why you remember it. We use what you share to shape the lyrics.

Share something the family can return to

You can send the listening-page link to family members who live far away. They can listen in their own time, without everyone needing to be in the same place.

Anyone with that link can access the song and the photos on the page, so choose what you share with that in mind. You can also download the MP3 and keep it for yourself.

Play it at a service

A memorial song can accompany a slideshow or a quiet moment during a service. Check with the organizer about timing and whether music is appropriate for the ceremony.

Download the MP3 beforehand and ask whoever manages the sound to test it on the venue’s equipment. Don’t rely on an internet connection at the service.

Listen when it feels right

You might want to hear the song often, save it for an anniversary, or wait before listening. Music can bring up difficult feelings as well as welcome memories. There is no right response and no need to force one.

Start with a memory

If you’d like to make a song, begin with something you remember clearly. Our guide to sharing memories has prompts to help you start.