What song would you have at your funeral?

[Lifepolicy]

A bit morbid I know, sorry!
have you given this much thought? I know it sometimes pops into my head when I hear a song that moves me.

mine would be Blessings, by Hollow Coves. I think joyful and mellow. i love the lyrics

what’s yours?!
funny / sad / uplifting / depressing / dance anthem?

I was at a funeral where the mourners sang “Make me a channel of your peace.”

That was an inspired choice by the deceased and has given me great comfort.

I love Elgar’s Enigma Variations which we had at my grandmother’s funeral. She however was the wartime generation, I’m not sure if we are “allowed” that as younger people, would it be in poor taste?

I also love Vivaldi’s Requiem so possibly the “Gloria” chorus from that.

And “Abide with Me.”

Going Underground is a good one!

On my current list…

Broken Stones- Paul Weller to come in to.
Beat Surrender- The Jam to go out to.
Moon River (my DH’s version) in the middle.

Other lists have included: Here Comes the Sun- The Beatles
We’re All Alone- Rita Coolidge.
Beyond the Sea (DH).
Flowers in the Window- Travis
Dont Want to Miss a Thing- Aerosmith (that has special significance for my youngest).

The final list is a long way off… I hope!

If DH should go first, I’ve told him I’d like to play You Can Do Magic, by Limmie and the Family Cookin’ for him.

Don’t you worry bout a thing - Incognito

I was born in 1966 when The Beatles were at No. 1 with Yellow Submarine so I have told my children that I should enter the crematorium chapel to that.

I have also said that I should exit it at the end to Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams. We used it as the exit music for my lovely DH, who died earlier this year and it had been "our" song when we were young. So it connects both of us.

For music to accompany any visual tribute I am thinking of Nimrod, by Elgar. It is lovely and was used at both of my parents' funerals.

I would have Unfinished Sympathy or Teardrop by Massive Attack.

Movin on up by Primal scream is a good shout too.

My Grandad had I Did It My Way by Frank Sinatra, was brilliant and uplifting, makes me smile when i hear it now, i would probably want something similar, rather than a sad song.

DH and I were talking about this recently. I had a massive list, including;

Into my arms - Nick Cave
Push the sky away - Nick Cave
The night will always win - Elbow
Strange boat - The Waterboys
Zadok the priest (I know it's a coronation one, but wow, what a piece of music!)
Adagio for strings
How long will I love you - The Waterboys

DH's response was "Bloody hell babes, it's not Desert Island Discs"!

I am the Resurrection by the Stone Roses

That’s a great idea. I would want the congregation to shout the appropriate chant as well.

Most of the songs suggested are sad. I’d want something cheery. I think I’d like “bring me sunshine” by Morecambe and Wise

I have loads, the service will need to be hours long. Some include, Green & Red of Mayo - Saw Doctors, Song of Freedom (Ood Song) from Doctor Who, Thank you for the Days - Kirsty McColl, Spirit in the Sky - Norman Greenbaum, I saw her standing there - The Beatles. And many, many more.

Haha to "not Desert Island Disks" 😂

I have a bit of a list too. I guess that's probably a middle ground between "everything planned out" and "let the mourners decide". They can pick from the list.

Find the River, R.E.M.
La Vie en Rose, Louis Armstrong
Beyond the Sea, Bobby Darin (love the french version but the English words will probably work better)
Together in Electric Dreams, Phil Oakley and Georgio Moroder

I'm definitely a lyrics person rather than a tune person, which is why I wouldn't ever think of using a Dies Irae (although there are so many beautiful requiem mass settings).

Say a little prayer Aretha Franklin and Canned Heat Jamiroquai. “Nothing left for me to do just dance “ !

My Way by Frank Sinatra. But I'm loving some if these suggestions.

😂

My dad who was an atheist went to a friend’s funeral and the carpenters “ I’m at the top of the world looking down on creation “ was played. Dad remarked that he thought that a great choice. Firstly because it was a little bit toe tapping and secondly, he liked the thought of being on the top of the world and looking down. So we had it at his funeral and my mums and it’s on my list for mine too.

I had this at my dad funeral to leave the crematorium

Attack of the Dead Men by Sabaton

I lovely lady I worked with had , Dancing Queen by ABBA as we left the crematorium it was to make everyone smile she said! And of course loved dancing as do I so I thought might be a good one for me too!

A funeral I went to recently had the coffin carried in to Many Rivers To Cross. That was very emotional

I am what I am - Shirley
Days - Kirsty McCall version
Don't you worry about a thing by Stevie Wonder

Another one bites the dust by Queen. We played it at my Dads funeral too, it was his choice too.

"Cry little sister" from The lost boys, as I enter the church,as it's a very gothic, dramatic song(a bit like me )😁

As I leave "I'm going home" sang by Tim Curry (Rocky horror picture show soundtrack).

See You on the Other Side by Ozzy followed by Brighter Shade of Grey, Five Finger Death Punch