Sad Spanish funeral songs remind mourners of their loss while giving them hope for the future. Funeral music speaks to our souls in a way that words often can’t. Even before hearing the lyrics, the sad notes of the guitar, violin, or harp evoke feelings of grief and remembrance.
Top Spanish Funeral Songs
There are many times when music brings me to tears, but just as often when it makes me smile. Spanish funeral songs remind you of your loss and help you to grieve. But they also offer hope for a future reunion of the faithful. Here’s a list of great music for playing at a Hispanic funeral.
- Tengo Madre
- Mi Novia Se Me Está Poniendo Vieja
- Ave Maria
- Dos Coronas a Mi Madre
- Las Cuatro Velas
- Amor de Madre
- Oh Madre Querida
- El Arbol
- Mi Viejo
- Que Falta Me Hace Mi Padre
- Senor de Las Canas
- Cuando Queria Ser Grande
- Si No Te Hubieras Ido
- Un Dia A Las Vez
- Te Vas Angel Mio
- Ahora Quien
- La Golondrina
- Mexico Lindo y Querido
- Hermoso Carino
- No Me Digas Adiós
- Amor Eterno
- Jesus Es El Centro
- Yo Te Extrañare
- Dejame Partir
- La Vida Sigue Igual
- La Saeta
- La Llorona
Spanish Funeral Songs For Mothers
Tengo Madre
Mothers are so precious to us, and many songs are written to honor them. This selection by Julio Preciado y Su Banda Perla del Pacífico is a favorite reminder to treasure our mothers.
Mi Novia Se Me Está Poniendo Vieja
Artist Ricardo Arjona wrote this song for his mother, La Mimi. He sang it to her once, but she preferred not to listen since it made her cry. Fans adore this beautiful song about a mother and her love.
Ave Maria
This Spanish version of Ave Maria by Hazel Millanes & Francesco Ottani is a beautiful rendition of this popular funeral song.
When you hear someone ask, “What is the most played song at a funeral?” the answer is likely Ave Maria. It is played in many languages at funerals around the world.
Dos Coronas a Mi Madre
“Two Crowns For My Mother” by Los Cadetes De Linares sings about the saddest of losing your mom. Mother’s Day will never be the same since she’s gone.
“Mother of my life, I never forget you.
Here I leave these flowers and two crowns for you.”
Mariachi Funeral Songs For Mothers
Mariachi songs are usually performed by a small group of strolling musicians. They dress in traditional Mexican clothing and play mostly stringed instruments. The group members play violins, guitars, a round-backed guitar called the vihuela, a deep-noted guitar called the guitarron, and a Mexican folk harp.
Las Cuatro Velas
This touching song by Antonio Aguilar tells of a young man off living his life when he learns that his mother is dying. Time was only four candles that were burning out.
“Mother, I ask you to
to forgive my mistakes;
kneeling at your grave
I bring you these flowers few.
You, who are there in heaven,
send me your blessings.”
Amor de Madre
Aventura’s beautiful song about a mother’s love brings tears to your eyes. This single mother loved her son so much that she gave him everything, even though it cost her morality. The son grew up spoiled and eventually murdered someone. The mother died of her grief. Later the son meets his father in prison and together they share memories of the mom.
Oh Madre Querida
This song by Vicente Fernández reminds sons everywhere that your mother is always there for you. She helps pick up the pieces even when you’re heart is broken.
Spanish Funeral Songs For Fathers
El Arbol
This sad Spanish funeral song about fathers by Adan Chalino Sanchez says even trees stop flowering when a father dies.
Mi Viejo
This song by Vicente Fernández Jr. comes from a child’s perspective watching a parent grow old. Since each of us ages, it makes a fitting tribute to fathers at a Spanish funeral.
Que Falta Me Hace Mi Padre
Antonio Aguilar Barraza was a musician, actor, screenwriter, and film producer. He was known for his variety of music styles. A popular song was this one from the perspective of a first-born son whose father died.
“How I’ll miss him,
when he is always with me,
how I’ll miss him,
when he is always on my mind.”
Mariachi Funeral Songs For Fathers
Senor de Las Canas
Lorenzo de Monteclaro’s story of a son who misses his father but prays for him daily touches everyone who hears it.
“If on your way you encounter
a crying man,
tell him that in my daily prayers
I pronounce his name.”
Cuando Queria Ser Grande
Here is another great Spanish funeral song for dads by Alejandro Fernández. It tells of how young men want to grow quickly to make their way in the world. But as their fathers’ age, they only want time to slow down.
Spanish Funeral Songs For Spouses And Couples
Si No Te Hubieras Ido
This heart-breaking song by Marco Antonio Solís might be about a death or a break-up. But either way it portrays the heartwrenching pain of living without your loved one.
“I wake up in the morning and remember you,
Another day awaits me of living without you”
Un Dia A Las Vez
This song by Los Tigres del Norte asks God to help you make it just one more day. When losing a spouse, one day at time is hard to wade through the grief.
Te Vas Angel Mio
Cornelio Reyna’s sad song about losing love is a favored Spanish funeral song. His wife leaves him with his soul wounded and heart suffering. But when she comes back he has already died. So she must go to his grave and pray for him.
Ahora Quien
Marc Anthony’s popular song reminds us that “In one kiss goes the soul”. This love song is a great choice for playing at a funeral.
Spanish Funeral Songs
La Golondrina (The Swallow)
Las Golondrinas was written in 1862 by Narciso Serradel and remained a favorite Mexican way to say goodbye.
By my bed
I’ll put your nest
Until the season passes.
I, too, O heaven!
Am lost in this place
Unable to fly.
Mexico Lindo y Querido
This Mexican ballad by Pepe Aguilar has been covered by many other musicians. It’s about a love of Mexico and a desire to return for burial in the mountains there.
Hermoso Carino
Vicente Fernández’s song reminds you that love makes you feel like a child with a new toy. Content and happy, you want to yell it out!
No Me Digas Adiós
“Do not say goodbye, but see you later.”
This traditional Spanish funeral song by Samuel Hernández reminds us that death is a temporary parting. You will see your loved ones again in heaven.
Amor Eterno
Rocío Dúrcal’s sad song of living after your loved one has died makes a poignant Spanish funeral song.
“Dark solitude I am living,
The same solitude of your grave.”
Jesus Es El Centro
This song of the faithful by Richard Smallwood has been covered by many artists. It is a reminder that Christ’s love is central to our joy. For Hispanic Christians, this song reminds you that heavenly life follows this earthly one.
La Llorona (The Weeping Woman)
This song is about the legend of a Mexican woman’s ghost. She drowned her children and then mourns their death through eternity. The rendition by Ángela Aguilar is beautifully sung.
Conclusion
So many excellent Spanish funeral songs exist that it is hard to narrow down the list. Get input from family members to select the perfect music choices for your loved one’s funeral. Remember your choices might be limited for a Catholic mass. But any of these songs are great choices for also playing at a visitation or wake.
Here are some last few suggestions.
- No Me Digas Adiós by Samuel Hernandez
- La Saeta by Joan Manuel Serrat
- La Vida Sigue Igual by Julio Iglesias
- Dejame Partir by Rogelio Arias Lopez
- Yo Te Extrañare by Tercer Cielo
