Funeral hymn

[Wendalicious]

Hello I would appreciate some advice as planning a funeral for a non religious oldish family member, I have sole decision making power! I think it adds a sense of occasion and the people attending will “expect” one so was thinking something uplifting? But he wasn’t religious at all xx

I was going to suggest this...had this at my gran's & it was perfect

Or make me a channel of your peace is a lovely one.

Went to a cremation recently...75 year old who loved dancing and music. They played ghost rider in the sky. Howls of laughter from the congregation.

Mostly when I've been to a funeral in a crematorium there has been a hymn (normally something quite well known ) but also music which meant something to the deceased at the beginning and the end (either rock/pop or classical depending on what relatives knew the deceased enjoyed )

It depends what you mean by him being 'non religious'. If he didn't give a toss either way then use one of the hymns suggested if you want. But unless the family and friends are themselves used to singing hymns it may fall flat.

If on the other hand he was an avowed atheist, it would be disrespectful to him to use any religious hymn at all.

Another one to play, rather than sing, that isn't religious, is 'Goin' Home', to the tune from Dvorak's New World Symphony (The Hovis ad). There's a version by Bryn Terfel.

We just did music for my mum
Rod Stewart - have I told you lately, for the entrance
Eva Cassidy - songbird, for quiet reflection (I played this as she died so it was quite meaningful)
Elton John - your song, for the exit I missed most of that as I lost it at that point

When I go, the executors have already had my plans. No church or crematorium funeral. No black or sombre clothing. No dull music from a century or two ago.

Has to be the Andy Williams version.

I had "Morning has broken" for my Dads, and Louis Armstrong "What a wonderful world" played as the curtains closed at the end.
It's really difficult finding the balance when you know the deceased person was not a bit religious.

Thine be the glory is a popular end of funeral hymn

The crem will have a sound system for most popular hymns

Completely and utterly inappropriate for a non religious person though. 'Endless is the victory thou o'er death has won ' iirc... wow, that could be quite upsetting when someone who doesn't believe in an afterlife has just died.