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songs to play at a memorial service

Song Ideas for Music at the Funeral

June 13, 2018 urngarden.com

 

Earlier this year we presented a list of 10 of the most popular modern funeral songs. Many classics were listed there, but today I want to share a few songs that were played at funerals I’ve attended and were not on the list. Some are old traditional hymns with a modern twist, others are recent hits that are appropriate for a memorial service.

Before my grandmother died she did share her wishes as to what she would like for her funeral. She wanted a party and to keep it upbeat, “no crying”. She had picked 3 songs that she wanted played, one of which I’d never heard before called “Softly I Leave You”. Released in the ’60s, it’s an older song that’s been performed by various artists including Frank Sinatra and Elvis did that many people prefer, but I like this one. The arrangement is beautiful and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Thanks Grandma….

10 years ago, we told you about the Widows Club and the inspirational women that led to the creation of this business. One of the ladies played this Sarah McLaughlin song at her husband’s funeral. At the time it seemed like the perfect selection as it was a suicide that left the community reeling and the song seemed to comfort those that gathered on that icy gray January day.

The 3rd selection for this post is a timeless hymn that was written at the turn of the century and has been performed throughout the years by countless artists from Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to most recently a bluesy version that the Tedeschi Trucks Band did as a tribute to Gregg Allman last year.

There’s three for your consideration, I’ve been keeping a list of music that from various genres that would be appropriate for a funeral or memorial service everything from country, blues, and pop and will share more selections coming up.

 

Filed Under: Memorial Service Ideas Tagged With: funeral songs, modern funeral songs, songs to play at a memorial service

10 of the Most Popular Modern Funeral Songs

February 20, 2018 Kim Stacey

Let me ask you a question (if you’ve never attended a funeral, memorial service, just use your imagination): “What would a funeral be like if there was no music?” You might cheekily answer “boring!”; but for sure the event would be less emotive, less powerful, for everyone there. While there are traditional funeral songs; hymns like Ava Maria, The Old Rugged Cross, and Amazing Grace; today these old standbys are being replaced by more recently written music which speaks more directly to us, living here in the 21st century. So, what are some of the most popular modern funeral songs being heard by service attendees? Let’s take a look:

  • “Bright Eyes”
  • “Dancing with the Angels”

    • “Satisfied Mind”
    • “Wind beneath my Wings”
    • “Farewell My Friend”
    • “You’ll Never Walk Alone”
    • “What a Wonderful World”

When it comes to instructive, light-hearted songs, two of the most popular are “Don’t Worry. Be Happy” and the incomparable, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”, from Monty Python’s Life of Brian.

For Many Music is an Essential Part of Life

“Without music, life would be a mistake.” Friedrich Nietzsche said that, and I couldn’t agree more with his opinion. Music, for many of us, provides us with a refuge when the storms of life become too fierce. For others, like Albert Einstein, it’s even more intrinsic to who they are: “I live my daydreams in music,” he wrote. “I see my life in terms of music.”

When planning a funeral or memorial service for a loved one, follow Albert’s lead: take time to view their life in terms of music – and (with the help of your funeral director) bring some of this “background” music into the service.

Are you mourning a music lover? Would you like to honor a loved one’s musical talent? If so, you might also like to read “Hittin’ the High Note: Urn Garden’s Music Collection”.

Filed Under: Memorial Service Ideas Tagged With: funeral songs, modern funeral songs, songs to play at a memorial service

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