Talking about funerals is sometimes seen as a taboo subject, although often in jest you hear someone say “oh they’ll play that at my funeral”, or “that’ll be written on my gravestone.”
More often than not its really quite hard as a family to choose which music to play at your loved ones funeral. Do you pick something classical? Their favourite song? Your favourite song? A song with a specific meaning or memory? A hymn? or all of the above.
Classical pieces that are often played are :Canon in D – Pachelbel, Ave Maria – Schubert, Nessum Dorma – Puccini, Pie Jesu – Faure.
For those looking to include something more contemporary the songs often played at services are Over the rainbow – Eva Cassidy, Time to say goodbye – Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman, Fields of gold – Sting, Tears in heaven – Eric Clapton and Wind beneath my wings – Bette Midler.
When discussing with families which music they would like to play at services they often ask us for advice. The advice we give is “there is no right or wrong” Think about how your loved one might like to be remembered, listen to lyrics all the way through a song, often lyrics change through the entirety of a song which can often make you change how you feel about it.
The song I know I’d like my loved ones to choose for my funeral is The show must go on by Queen. I guess for those of you that know me there is no need for an explanation as to why I love that song….
Have you picked your song?
