Funeral songs, and what they can say about us

When choosing funeral songs or music for the funeral service, there are three main routes people take – classical favourites, pop songs, or humorous pieces to raise a smile on such a sad occasion.

Classical favourites and hymns are a traditional choice, whether having a religious or secular ceremony. They are timeless and elegant, maintaining the sense of pathos associated with saying goodbye to loved ones after they have left this world. According to the Co-operative Funeralcare and their assessment of the last year’s funerary musical choices, the most popular hymns were [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=MmtRlEIIZnQ width=640 height=480 anchor=”Abide With Me”], followed by [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=-gUbTpwOta8 width=640 height=480 anchor=”The Lord Is My Shepherd”] and [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=iZNt4avXVcI width=640 height=480 anchor=”All Things Bright And Beautiful”]. These are perhaps some of the most well known hymns, beloved by many people and familiar to the assembled mourners. Between 2009 and 2012 there was no change to the top ten favoured hymns, simply a shuffling of their order of precedence on the list.

In classical music choices there is a similar representation of people’s long-loved favourites. [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=aQWAO9d43LY width=640 height=480 anchor=”‘Nimrod’”] from Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Pachelbel’s [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=a8F75338vfo width=640 height=480 anchor=”Canon in D”] and Schubert’s [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=TkY9HtwXNU8 width=640 height=480 anchor=”Ave Maria”] sit as the most popular choices above Faure’s Pie Jesu, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Puccini’s Nessun Dorma. These are some of the most famous pieces of classical music, played either because they are the favourite pieces of the departed person or because they are beautiful in and of themselves.

Increasing numbers of people are choosing popular music in their funeral arrangements, to represent the individual tastes of their loved one. Some people opt for unusual favourites and less well known songs, whilst certain pop hits remain commonly heard at funerals. For several years now, the most popular choice of pop music has been My Way in one of its various incarnations, be that Frank Sinatra or Shirley Bassey. The beautiful classical-pop combination of Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli on Time To Say Goodbye is another widely chosen song, as is Bette Midler’s Wind Beneath My Wings and Eva Cassidy’s [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=4RDmXsGeiF8 width=640 height=480 anchor=”Somewhere Over The Rainbow”]. Many people identify with the tragedy of Eva Cassidy’s own personal story and her tragic death to cancer aged just 33, hearing an emotional fragility in her music which is perfect at their own loved ones’ funerals.

However, some people like to go out in their own inimitable style and play something light hearted to say goodbye. Eric Idle’s [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=JrdEMERq8MA width=640 height=480 anchor=”Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life”] or Doctor and the Medic’s Spirit In The Sky can break the sombre mood and allow people to recall happier memories of their lost loved one.