Funeral Music

Very timely thread, as DS1 is struggling to decide on the music for my mother's funeral on Thursday. I have made a note of some of the suggestions on here which I will pass on.

It's hard isn't it kitty, trying to strike the right tone. My mother was not at all religious, but hymns are expected. DS1 has decided on The Lord's My Shepherd for one of them.

I have suggested The Circle of Life from The Lion King for the bearing in. Mum and I chose that for my stepfathers funeral, so it could be seen as an appropriate link, especially as she will be buried next to him.

Matt Monroe 'On Days Like These' just lovely.

Not quite the right era, but I do like Joe Brown's "I'll see you in my dreams"

My dad left instructions for Neil Diamond singing Chelsea Morning and The Old Rugged Cross by Daniel O'Donnell. I think the hymn might have been Abide With Me, but I'm not sure.

DH has chosen some really off the wall music for his.

We're this week arranging my MIL funeral, we've chosen Handels Where 'er You Walk, Now you Belong To Heaven, sung by Mari Olsen and Josh Grobans You Raise Me Up.
We also liked Over the Rainbow, Wind Beneath my Wings and Songbird.

Time to Say Goodbye.

Days. My preferred version is by Kirsty McCall.

I attended a funeral just a few days before last Christmas and one of the pieces of music played with Debussy's Flower Duet. Just lovely. And I think of my friend whenever I hear it.

For a hymn we had Great is thy Faithfulness, Oh God my Father, for both of my parents funerals. It has always been my favourite hymn.

Panis Angelicus.
Et Incarnatus Est (Mozart)
Something from Queen

My husband was a brass band musician for most of his life, and one of his favourite pieces, which he`d also played, was Cornet Carillon, by the Black Dyke Mills Band, so we had that for entering the crematorium, we only had the one hymn, the Eventide Hymn, The Day Thou Gavest Lord Has Ended, then we left to Robbie Williams singing Angels, one of David`s favourite recordings, but not mine, but it was a family majority thing, I got to choose the first two.

The Meditationn from Thäis by Massenet is beautiful or one of Albinoni's adagios.
North of the border Highland Cathedral is first choice for any ceremonial in our family.

I am having ' The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" when I enter. Nice and stirring and very appropriate. ?

My Dad was a huge fan of Formula One so we sent him out to The Chain by Fleetwood Mac, which is the theme tune to the show. At my Aunt's funeral we had the cricket theme tune which I believe is called Soul Limbo. At another Aunt's, my cousin's chose Sunshine on my Shoulders by John Denver.

kitty please accept my apologies. I should have read your post more carefully. Can I recommend Mozart's 'Souave il Vento' (May the winds be soft and the seas be calm'). from Cosi fan Tutti. It is lovely.

I have a list as long as my arm, but I would like to come in to Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus, and go out to Grimethorpe Colliery Band playing Coronation Scot! Somewhere in the middle there has to be a Bach prelude and a bit of Tom Lehrer! I have to write this down at sometime or I will end up with something totally boring.

I'm requesting Mozart's Lachrymosa but I could end up with Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen!
I won't care will I?

For my mother we had her favourite, the grand march from Aida

I want the Sanctus from Verdi' requiem

In heavenly love abiding has a swing to it that makes it easy to sing and I love the positive words.
Also love the New World Symphony for the reflective piece.

My lot will probably ignore all I say ! I have already been told Funerals are for the consolation of the living !

Aggie, my children have different ideas for my funeral hymns, but that's for another day.

Just back from a funeral , very sobering . I hope all goes well for you Kitty, xxx

Ah but we won't hear it Marydoll !

It is so distressing and difficult making all the arrangements. Kitty, I am sure your mum will be looking down on you and be proud of you.

We were at a crematorium funeral recently when "Pie Jesu" by Lloyd Webber was played before the service and it was really lovely and very peaceful. I agree with mumofmadboys that the hymns need to be well known. Abide With Me or the 23rd psalm to Crimond are both known as funeral hymns, possibly because they are well known.

Best wishes for the funeral, kittylester; I hope you find that it helps you.