Music Choices For Your Loved One’s Funeral

Music can be so important in life and is always something to consider when organising a funeral. Music can uplift the soul even at the hardest of times. It also allows us to pause for reflection; some people prefer to choose a song to honour their loved one rather than write a personal tribute, the melody can add more meaning than simply words alone.

Some people leave their family with strict instructions on what to play during their funeral ceremony. This is always wonderful as these songs often hold special memories for family and friends and are sometimes tongue in cheek or what would have been seen in years gone by as ‘inappropriate’ for a funeral, causing eruptions of laughter amongst the tears.

Live music also works brilliantly and there are many singers and bands that offer their professional services for the ceremony. Some people have bagpipes playing or, in the case of a military funeral, a Bugler to play the Last Post. If you don’t know of any yourself, it is likely that your Funeral Director, Celebrant or a musical friend will be able to advise you.

The difficulty comes when the person arranging the funeral is really struggling for music ideas and draws a blank. People feel an immense amount of pressure to ‘get it right’, not only for the memory of their loved one but also for the friends and family attending. This can cause a huge amount of worry, especially if the person who has died did not listen to very much music and didn’t have favourite bands, composers or singers.

If Google searches and recommendations from friends are not quite fitting properly then have a look at some of my recommendations below. You might find some pieces that you might not have heard of and are new to you, as well as some well-known music.

This is just a shap shot of examples by category to give you some ideas that perhaps are not all included on the online searches. I hope you find something to inspire you to make your perfect choice. Remember that longer pieces can be faded at a certain point to fit into the ceremony.

Clair De Lune – Debussy  https://youtu.be/CvFH_6DNRCY

Serenade ‘Standchen’ – Schubert  https://youtu.be/ZpA0l2WB86E

Serenade No 10 In B Flat Major (K 361) III Adagio – Mozart  https://youtu.be/0mYUMctFm60

Nimrod from the Enigma Variations – Elgar  https://youtu.be/NhnMd1Jl7SA

Pavane – Fauré  https://youtu.be/Ij6iQNBin4I

Air On A G String – Bach  https://youtu.be/ZS-HWIFyLsE

Reverie – Debussy  https://youtu.be/QRjllL-MP0U

‘Theme’ from Enigma Variations – Elgar  https://youtu.be/DIJX-JnxMEE

CHORAL CLASSICAL STYLE

Lux Aterna (Nimrod for voices) – Elgar  https://youtu.be/lSc02pHmyC8

Sleep – Eric Whitacrh  https://youtu.be/qhCS7etNEbU

Lux Aurumque – Eric Whitacre  https://youtu.be/0j2JRcC6wBs

Cantique De John Racine – Fauré  https://youtu.be/F9hx1KTAnHg

The Lord Bless You And Keep You – Rutter  https://youtu.be/7mYCaz20LwU

The Lord Is My Shepherd – Goodall  https://youtu.be/yLxdb3ov-zE

A Gaelic Blessing – Rutter  https://youtu.be/Eve2y-P-Zjk

SOLO FEMALE VOCAL

Ave Maria – Schubert  https://youtu.be/sE1WoMocTlw

Now We Are Free – Zimmer/Gerrard  https://youtu.be/z-dJKerk_UE

Only A Few Things – Above and Beyond  https://youtu.be/KL4HuUgPkAc

The Blessing –  Celtic Woman  https://youtu.be/VGKhgdF9vWA

The Prayer – Celtic Woman  https://youtu.be/RQ928V55S5U

Angel – Sarah McLachlah  https://youtu.be/1SiylvmFI_8

How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding  https://youtu.be/NwbcQNjhEJc

Only Time – Enya  https://youtu.be/7wfYIMyS_dI

SOLO MALE VOCAL

You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban  https://youtu.be/uyEokxi2hWY

Bring Him Home – Alfie Bow  https://youtu.be/tI4jb-Aca9M

Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole  https://youtu.be/V1bFr2SWP1I

Vincent (Starry Starry Night) – Don McLean  https://youtu.be/oxHnRfhDmrk

Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers  https://youtu.be/tIdIqbv7SPo

When I Get Where I’m Going – Brad Paisley  https://youtu.be/yYHT-TF4KO4

Tears In Heaven – Eric Clapton  https://youtu.be/JxPj3GAYYZ0

Annie’s Song (You Fill Up My Senses) – John Denver  https://youtu.be/C21G2OkHEYo

Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross  https://youtu.be/wmDxJrggie8

DUETS AND GROUPS

The Prayer – Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion  https://youtu.be/SfVrpafcELI

These Are The Days Of Our Lives – Queen  https://youtu.be/oB4K0scMysc

Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon and Garfunkel  https://youtu.be/H_a46WJ1viA

I’ll See You Again – Westlife  https://youtu.be/P7IbQyG9PL4

One Sweet Day – Boys II Men and Mariah Carey  https://youtu.be/UXxRyNvTPr8

In My Life – The Beatles  https://youtu.be/-eCh3y5VROM

UPLIFTING

Circle of Life – Elton JohH  https://youtu.be/IwH9YvhPN7c

Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Elton John  https://youtu.be/KjgWWjkNbhU

Postcards From Heaven – The Lighthouse Family  https://youtu.be/GeNG7ns-LIo

What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong  https://youtu.be/A3yCcXgbKrE

Three Little Birds (Don’t Worry About A Thing)– Bob Marley  https://youtu.be/LanCLS_hIo4

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life –  Stevie Wonder  https://youtu.be/3wZ_b_uUAdQ

Love Lift Us Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes  https://youtu.be/X2y7woasr_s

Photographer Credit: Roshini McCartin