Choosing the right music for a pet memorial video can feel overwhelming, especially when emotions are running high. The perfect song sets the tone for the entire tribute — it can bring comfort, spark cherished memories, and help express feelings that words alone can’t capture.

We’ve put together this list of 15 songs that work beautifully in pet memorial videos, organized by the mood they create. Whether you want something uplifting that celebrates the joy your pet brought into your life, a peaceful melody for quiet reflection, or a deeply emotional piece that honors the depth of your bond — there’s something here for you.

Uplifting & Celebration of Life

These songs focus on gratitude, joy, and the happiness your pet brought to every day. They’re perfect if you want your memorial to feel more like a celebration than a farewell.

• “What a Wonderful World” — Louis Armstrong
  The warm, unhurried delivery and simple appreciation for life’s beautiful moments make this an ideal backdrop for photos of sunny walks, lazy afternoons, and quiet companionship. It reminds you that having your pet in your world made it a more wonderful place.
• “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” — Randy Newman
  Playful yet sincere, this song captures the uncomplicated loyalty and steadfast friendship that defines the bond between a pet and their person. Its lighthearted feel works especially well for videos featuring goofy moments and everyday adventures.
• “Here Comes the Sun” — The Beatles
  Gentle optimism builds throughout this song, evoking the feeling of warmth returning after a difficult time. It pairs beautifully with bright, happy photos and carries an undercurrent of hope that makes it comforting rather than heavy.
• “Best Day of My Life” — American Authors
  Energetic and joyful, this track matches the boundless enthusiasm pets bring to the simplest moments — a game of fetch, a car ride with the window down, the excitement of seeing you come home. It keeps the tribute feeling spirited and alive.
• “Lean on Me” — Bill Withers
  This song speaks to mutual comfort and being there for each other through everything. Its soulful warmth reflects how pets sense when we need them most, and how they lean into us just as much as we lean on them.

Peaceful & Reflective

These selections create a calm, contemplative atmosphere. They give space for memories to breathe and let viewers sit with their feelings without being overwhelmed.

• “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” — Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
  The ukulele arrangement creates an ethereal, dreamlike quality that feels like drifting through treasured memories. It carries a gentle sense of longing balanced by beauty, making it one of the most widely used and deeply moving choices for memorial tributes.
• “River Flows in You” — Yiruma
  This piano instrumental lets photos and memories take center stage without competing lyrics. The melody is both melancholy and beautiful, flowing like a quiet conversation between grief and gratitude. It works with any type of pet memorial.
• “Canon in D” — Pachelbel
  The slowly building, layered progression of this classical piece creates a sense of something unfolding — a life being lived, a story being told. Its familiarity brings comfort, and its elegance lends dignity to even the simplest home video clips.
• “Clair de Lune” — Debussy
  Soft and luminous, this piece evokes moonlit evenings and quiet moments of connection. It has a quality of gentle wonder that mirrors the way pets quietly enrich our daily lives without us always noticing until they’re gone.
• “Time After Time” — Cyndi Lauper
  The tender reassurance in this song — the promise of always being there — resonates with the unconditional presence pets offer. Its steady, gentle rhythm creates a reflective mood that complements photos spanning years of companionship.

Sentimental & Emotional

These are the songs that will bring tears — and that’s okay. Sometimes a memorial video needs to honor the full weight of the loss. These tracks give permission to grieve deeply while still feeling the love underneath.

• “Tears in Heaven” — Eric Clapton
  Written from the depths of personal loss, this song carries an authenticity that needs no explanation. Its quiet, aching beauty speaks directly to anyone wondering if they’ll see their loved one again. The understated arrangement lets the emotion come through without melodrama.
• “My Heart Will Go On” — Celine Dion
  The sweeping emotion of this song captures the feeling that love doesn’t end — it transforms. The gradual build from quiet opening to full orchestral power mirrors the journey from grief to acceptance, making it powerful for tributes that span a pet’s full life.
• “Hallelujah” — Leonard Cohen (or Jeff Buckley version)
  There’s a bittersweet reverence in this song that honors something sacred. It acknowledges that love and loss are inseparable, and that the pain of goodbye is the cost of having had something truly worth holding onto.
• “You Are My Sunshine”
  Beneath the familiar, simple melody lies one of the most heartbreaking lyrics ever written — about the fear of losing someone you love. For pet owners, this song often carries personal meaning, especially if it was sung or hummed during quiet moments together.
• “Wind Beneath My Wings” — Bette Midler
  This song is about recognizing someone who quietly lifted you up without seeking recognition — which is exactly what pets do. The emotional crescendo honors the invisible, everyday ways a pet made life better, and the ache of only fully realizing it once they’re gone.

Tips for Choosing Your Song

When selecting music for your pet’s memorial video, keep these things in mind:

• Go with your gut. If a song immediately makes you think of your pet, that’s the right one — even if it’s not on any list.
• Consider the video length. Most memorial videos run 2 to 4 minutes, so a single song usually works better than trying to fit multiple tracks.
• Think about your audience. If you’re sharing the video with family, a universally familiar song can help everyone connect with the tribute.
• Instrumental versions work well. If you love a song but the lyrics feel too intense, look for a piano or acoustic instrumental cover.

Create Your Pet’s Tribute Video

You don’t need video editing experience to make a beautiful memorial. With Pet Video Maker, you upload your favorite photos, choose a template and music, and receive a professionally produced tribute video in minutes. Your free draft is ready to preview before you commit to anything.

Start your free memorial video — no account or credit card needed.