Funeral Music

For my Mum's funeral I chose Gabriel Faure's "In Paradisum" sung by King's College Choir - a beautiful and moving piece of music. She had requested "Wish me luck as you wave me good-bye" sung by Vera Lynn as the music to accompany the coffin going through the curtain (a bit teary!), and finally, as we exited, I chose Vaughan Williams' "The Lark Ascending", another beautiful piece.
Sorry for your loss, Kitty, I hope you find something you like from all the great suggestions here.

I went to the funeral of a friend some years ago, I think it was her choice that her exit music was Who Wants toLive Forever, by Queen. It still brings a lump to my throats when I hear it.

We played "we are the champions" at my mums funeral. The vicar spoke the closing words of the service over the music.. It was beautiful.

my mum had Panis Angelicus ,and an old hymn called Take me To Thy Sacred Heart which was always a favourite of hers,my granny had the same at her funeral 45 years ago,as mum was cremated we had Moonlight and Roses( bring woderful memories of you) as her farewell ,it was her favourite song and I heard her sing it literally thousands of times while she did the housework

I loved 'See you in my dreams' as sung by Joe Brown at the memorial concert for George Harrison, although this is more suitable for a partner than a mum.

A friend was very disappointed some 10 years ago when she wasn't allowed to have Qué Sera by Doris Day played at her mum's funeral (not in a Church). It's good that they seem to have lightened up.

I just reminded myself of Matt Munroe. He recorded 'Somewhere' from West Side Stiry which I think is beautiful and has sent shivers down my spine and prompted a tear from the first time I heard it in the 1960s stage show.

I'm sure you and your family will find evocative and beautiful music for your mother.

I can't remember what we played at the start of my mother's funeral, might have been Barber's Adagio. During the service we sang "Will your Anchor Hold?" which will be familiar to some Cornish members. (They sang it at David Penhaligon's funeral) At the end we had Satcho and When The Saints Go Marching In, which she would have loved.

Thank you all for taking the time to post everyone.

Sorry, Elrel, not a chance on earth that we will be playing anyone singing 'Somewhere'. I am reduced to tears any time by that song, never mind at a funeral!

I agree with so many lovely posts above. Eva Cassidy's version of Over the Rainbow brings a tear.When leaving the church I would like Smile Though Your Heart Is Aching

I'm having all Queen music at my funeral. In particulaar I lke "Those Were the Days of our Lives".

I have opted for Queen too, 'Tie your mother down' 'Take my breath away' 'Another one bites the dust' and more than likely 'My melancholy blues'.
Nat King Cole has always been a favourite of DH and I and we both like 'Autumn leaves' as it reminds us of our October wedding and honeymoon in the Lakes.

I am very cross! My son asked me think about music for the service, (he had already decided on The Lord's My Shepherd) so, after reading this thread I had some suggestions.

3 times I phoned him, and left a message that I had some ideas, but he didn't call back.

I thought that one of the Matt Monroe songs would be perfect, as I remember my mother's close friend(they met in the mother and baby home, and always stayed in touch) coming to visit about 20 years ago, and we were playing his music.

Finally got to speak to him today, and apparently it's all sorted.

The Lord's My Shepherd, and Abide With Me!

Give me strength.

Not my choice I must say Phoenix As she's your mother don't you get the casting vote?

phoenix, those are the hymns which I suppose your son feels will honour his grandmother. What about the music as you enter and leave the service, that's where the Mat Monroe feels right. Hope you manage to have some input x

I'm allowed hardly any input, but we are having The Circle of Life from The Lion King, Mum & I chose that for my stepfathers funeral, so it seems doubly appropriate.

I don't think the hymns DS1 has chosen are particularly to honour his GM, more a case of going for the obvious funeral hymns.

Oh well, I hope it's ok for you phoenix

harri it seems we share the same (weird) taste in music. I LOVE everything by Queen and "My Melancholy Blues" its my signature tune!

We had "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croche at my daughters fathers funeral. I wish I hadn't as I love the song but can't listen to it now. We also had "Smile and a Whisper" by Fairground Attraction. Beautiful song and lovely words. Especially the line "its like threading a needle with boxing gloves, when you try and talk about love"

phoenix

I love the idea of 'tie Your Mother Down'! Given my mum's determination!!

My father had Ella Fitzgerald singing 'Every Time We Say Goodbye' and Nimrod amongst other pieces

Do not stand at my grave and weep and Gaelic Blessing sung by Libera was what we had before the service and You Raise Me Up at the end. Hymns were ones Mum enjoyed; The King of Love my Sheherd is and Morning has broken, though I'd have chosen something lower.

So sorry for your loss, kitty. I don't envy you having to make the arrangements. That's always so hard.

But "jolly?" Why jolly for a funeral? Do you prefer to celebrate her life rather than mourn her death? Is that it? Then maybe "Celebrate" ('Celebrate! Celebrate! Dance to the music!"), but I don't remember who sings it.

I can't imagine that at a funeral, but if you want "jolly," it certainly fills the bill.

Jolly because she had reached 93 and had been ill for a very long time. We don't want it to be a sad occasion so, yes, a sort of celebration of her life.

I was very sad indeed when my grandma passed away but considering she had lived to be 99 her funeral was definitely a celebration of a long life.

My dad has asked for "Roll me up and smoke me when I die" by Willie Nelson for his funeral . Lets hope it is a very long way off and he changes his mind.