Vibrational properties ͑frequencies, polarizations, and lifetimes͒ of a single adatom, dimer, and trimer of Co on low-index Cu surfaces, Cu͑111͒, Cu͑001͒, and Cu͑110͒ are studied by using tight-binding second moment approximation interatomic interaction potentials. We show that structural and vibrational properties of the Co clusters strongly depend on the substrate orientation. The longest lifetimes of 1-2.5 ps have been found for high-frequency z-polarized vibrations in all the Co clusters considered. The shortest lifetimes of 0.1-0.8 ps have been obtained for low-frequency horizontal ͑frustrated translation͒ vibrational modes.