Deathbed Playlists

Happy New Year! Part of me thought I should do a motivational review of a peppy song to get us ready for the New Year. Definitely excited for 2026. Yet, I have been wanting to reflect on a special playlist: the deathbed playlist. In a way, it is also motivating and inspiring. As a hospice/death worker, facing the death of others has a significant impact on my desire to live a full and meaningful life. 

In my life there have been special songs that hold great meaning for me and I enjoy them now in the present moment too. In a way, listening to them can help me reset for the year ahead and help me refocus on the important things. 

A deathbed playlist is self explanatory. It is a set of music one would like to have played as they die. Preparing one can actually help your loved ones so they don’t question what you might want during this phase. Silence and quiet is perfectly ok too! 

As a music therapy intern supervisor in hospice care, the music therapy team asks interns to start their deathbed playlists by sharing five songs with us and fellow interns. The process of sharing can be quite emotional. It sparks an opportunity to reflect on core values of one's life. 

For me, I am not even sure I would want a live music therapist playing my playlist. I grew listening to the radio/cassettes, CDs on my Walkman, and then my treasured iPod. I love to feel surrounded by the music…taken to another world. Especially when I have fallen in love with the recording of a perfect song. 

Below is the start of my Deathbed Playlist:

1. I Love You Always Forever by Donna Lewis

   • I know this one is more of a romantic song, but when I was young it was always on the radio when it was me and my mom going to my swim class. I think of her when I hear this song. The time we spent together. It has a warm fuzzy feeling for me. I will always love her and I know she will always love me.

2. All the Things You Are by Jerome Kern

   • During college, a very special group of friends sang this together for our Opera Workshop class. The concert was titled “A Night at the Operetta” and it seemed to be a magical, flawless night. It felt so right singing this as a group. It makes me think of these friends and how much they mean to me. We don’t talk all the time anymore, but shared memories like this keep us close in heart. I know having this song playing will make it feel like they are close. 

3. Stand By Me by Florence & the Machine

   • I walked down the aisle to this song at my wedding. My husband has stood by me through thick and thin during the entirety of our relationship. I know that will continue. I am not sure if he will physically be by me when my time comes, but this song will fill in if he can’t. Definitely hard to think about all of this. I am so grateful he is in my life and I am going to cherish that more in 2026 as we welcome our child. 

4. KIN by KT Tunstall

   • KT Tunstall is one of my favorite singer/songwriters. She is so talented and has a wide range of styles. Her songs always seem to hit home. All of them. Really anyone at my deathbed could play through her entire repertoire. I specifically chose KIN because it speaks of family and the unconditional love and support shared when scared. 

5. Test of the Heart by ??

   • I found this instrumental piece on a CD that was part of a bundle of CDs of music for various needs such as “Music for Sleep” and “Music for Motivation” . I can't remember which one this piece was on, but it is one of the only pieces of music I can fall asleep too. It is hard for me to fall asleep to music because I analyze it too much. I have found recordings on Spotify by Bettine Clemen, but not sure if she is the actual composer. I would want this played to help me drift into sleep and feel comforted. 

After reflecting on these choices, I clearly value having my people around me at this time. I would want my music to reflect the messages I hope to share with them. I challenge you to begin your own playlist. What values do you find reflect in your song choices?