 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. CLASSICAL STYLE, INSTRUMENTAL; 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/Qz-3RMChMLc 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/QT0deS-fjr0 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 Whitacre 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 McLachlan 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' Kamakawiwo'ole https://youtu.be/V1bFr2SWP1I Vincent (Starry Starry Night) – Don McLean https://youtu.be/oxHnRfhDmrk Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers https://youtu.be/CICIOJqEb5c 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 John 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 © Ellie Lomas 2017
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