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Music ideas for your loved one's funeral ceremony

12/18/2017

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​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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    Ellie is a professional Funeral, Wedding and Naming Celebrant based in Dorset. 

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