What is your signature tune?
Music to capture every facet of life is available. Whether you choose CD’s, live music played by a professional or perhaps you have friends and family who are willing to contribute, the right choice of music will undoubtedly add ambience to the occasion. Maybe you favour hiring a jazz band, a Scottish piper or a drummer to lead you to your woodland resting place? The choice is yours and there are no rules.
The memory you leave behind will be the one that remains in the hearts of those present. Do be sensitive and check both the message and the words of the music you choose to avoid possible misunderstandings or innuendoes.
For cremation, modern funeral songs are popular. There often three pieces chosen; music to play as people enter the chapel, as people contemplate and remember the deceased in their own special ways and more up-beat music or song as people leave. Crematoria usually have a huge collection of CD’s available. Should you wish to provide your own CD’s the funeral director will need to receive them well before the funeral date. (Original copies are preferred).
Traditional funerals dictated by convention are likely to include familiar hymns, psalms and prayers. Such familiarity brings comfort to those who wish to follow this path.
Modern funeral songs:
Angels – Robbie Williams | The Entertainer – Scott Joplin |
Candle in the Wind – Elton John | Love and Marriage |
The Perfect Day – Lou Reed | Love Changes Everything |
Magical Mystery Tour – the Beatles | The Gambler |
Always Look on the Bright Side | I Just Called to Say I Love You |
Let’s Face the Music and Dance | High Noon |
Tears in Heaven | Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) |
Over the Rainbow | Golden Leaves |
I’ve Had The Time Of My Life | Three Times a Lady – Lionel Richey |
The Rose | Jesus Christ Superstar – Lloyd Webber |
With Hope | The Last Waltz |
Catch a Falling Star | Come Dance With Me |
Life on the Ocean Waves – March | Colours Of My Life |
From Russia With Love – Bond Theme | Chatanooga Choo Chou |
Tears from Heaven – Eric Clapton | Chin Chin Chree – Mary Poppins |
The Way We Were – Barbara Streisand | I’m Just a County Boy |
Swing Low Sweet Chariot | I’m Walking Backwards To Christmas |
Time to Say Goodbye | Golden Slumbers |
My Way | Four in the Morning |
Something Beautiful Remains | For The Good Times – Perry Como |
You’ll Never Walk Along | Flight of the Bumble Bee |
Beyond the Sunset | Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree |
The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore | Don’t Cry for Me Argentina |
You’ll Never Walk Alone | Days of Wine and Roses |
The Londonderry Air | Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy |
Mack the Knife | Crocodile Rock |
Ma, I Miss Your Apple Pie – comedy | Come Fly With Me |
Magic Moments | Falling Leaves |
Maple Leaf Rag | I’ll Be Your Sweetheart |
Love Makes the World Go Round | Pack up Your Troubles |
Love Letters in The Sand | We’ll Meet Again |
Love is a Many Splendored Thing | Good Luck As We Wave You Goodbye |
Music from the 60’s:
When Irish Eyes are Smiling | Baby Face | |
If You Knew Susie | In The Good Old Summertime | |
Ma, He’s Making Eyes at Me | Hello Dolly | |
Margie |
Popular funeral hymns:
The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want (Psalm 23) | Our God Our Help in Ages |
The Old Rugged Cross | Jerusalem |
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling | All Things Bright and Beautiful |
Abide with Me | Dark Island |
Classical music suitable for funerals:
Ave Maria – Schubert | Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight’ Sonata |
Nimrod – Edward Elgar | The Nun’s Chorus – Anni Frind |
Ave Maria – from Verdi’s Othello | Nessun Dorma – Puccini |
Lord Of The Dance | Grande Valse Brillante |
Adagio for Strings – Samuel Barber | Elgar’s Nimrod – Enigma |
Requiem – Karl Jenkins | Variations |
Agnus dei – by Karl Jenkins | Halleluyah Chorus |
Two Hundred Years Later from Brigadoon |
What music will you choose to play at your funeral?