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Not meaning to be morbid and I hope you won’t take it that way but

(58 Posts)
nanna8 Thu 18-Mar-21 10:12:36

Have you a particular song or hymn you would like to be sung at your funeral?
I went to a dear friend’s funeral today and one of her songs was ‘I’m strictly a Female Female’ which was unusual but kind of fitted her. I am more traditional and would like ‘It is right with my soul’ or perhaps,‘When you walk through the Storm’.

BigBertha1 Thu 18-Mar-21 14:26:07

We are not having funerals to spare our relatives the harrowing of listening to words/music/songs that will upset them. As none of our family are religious any kind of ceremony will only do that. Sorry if that sounds harsh - I am left with a lot of painful memories of the huge funeral of my SIL dying a couple of years ago- so many distraught young people it made a bad situation worse. I do appreciate though that many people take a lot of comfort from these occasions and the music but just not for us.

sharon103 Thu 18-Mar-21 14:24:26

Mine have been instructed that I want a direct cremation. No service.

Grandmadinosaur Thu 18-Mar-21 14:23:21

* love to dance

Grandmadinosaur Thu 18-Mar-21 14:22:49

Not morbid at all. Having recently had my mums funeral it’s got me thinking about what music I would like so I will let my family know. I’m having trouble deciding which though as I’ll have made my decision then hear something else on the radio confusing the issue. Currently in contention are Elton Johns Your Song, also Dancing Queen I think at the end as I l

to dance and love Abba. I also love Stevie Wonder and many of his songs are reminders of certain times in my life. I’m a big musicals fan so would like something as yet undecided to reflect this.
As for hymns I love Make me a channel of your peace so that’s a keeper. I need to get it down to a final choice as goodness knows what I would end up with if it was left to DH although I know and can guess what his own choices are for himself.

timetogo2016 Thu 18-Mar-21 14:22:28

I am having.

"Another one bites the dust" by Queen.

Judy54 Thu 18-Mar-21 14:16:37

I have a number of hymns that I like nanna8 and they are in my funeral arrangements plan. You are not being morbid but practical, it is so much easier for those left behind if we put some thought into what we would like.

Greeneyedgirl Thu 18-Mar-21 11:43:57

I have been to some very impersonal, awful funerals where even the name of the deceased was wrongly given by the person conducting it.

I think it’s a great idea to think about what send off, if any, you would like. I am not religious and planning a humanist funeral. Several that I have been to have been a real celebration of the person’s life, with friends and relatives playing an active part.

I think it can be meaningless to have a religious ceremony at the end of life if religion has not been a part of it during a lifetime.....but perhaps it could be meaningful for the comfort of others?

Westcoaster Thu 18-Mar-21 11:38:57

I want An Ubhal as Airde (The Highest Apple) by Runrig, a beautiful piece of music, and Blessed Assurance.

DH wanted You'll Never Walk Alone (devout LFC fan) so we had that and Abide with Me, both lovely instrumental versions due to the no singing rules in place right now.

nanna8 Thu 18-Mar-21 11:36:47

EllanVannin

Simply the Best blasted out at the finish.

Good one Ellan. I love your style ❤️

Alegrias1 Thu 18-Mar-21 11:34:45

Blondiescot - have you heard June Tabor's version of "Love Will Tear us Apart"? Its amazing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-pWSHTQOFs

Call - we wouldn't have dared! grin

EllanVannin Thu 18-Mar-21 11:31:08

Simply the Best blasted out at the finish.

Callistemon Thu 18-Mar-21 11:30:49

My grandma made sure we all knew what sandwiches she wanted served at the funeral tea!
Woe betide anyway who served the wrong ones, I expect! grin

My uncle left a certain sum to make sure everyone enjoyed a wake for him at the local pub.

Larsonsmum Thu 18-Mar-21 11:29:20

No funeral whatsoever for me, and no notification in the newspaper either. People can find out I am gone whenever they wonder where I am. I have made arrangements to donate my body to science.

Blondiescot Thu 18-Mar-21 11:28:30

Oh yes, I have my songs all picked out. I'm not religious - so I want a totally non- religious service with four of my favourite songs played. They will be Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah (Rufus Wainwright's version), Time of Your Life by Green Day, Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division and One More Light by Linkin Park.

Oh, and by the way, for anyone planning to donate their body to medical research, you do need to have a plan B in place in case they don't accept the body. This happened to me when my mother died. It can happen for any number of reasons - they may already have their quota of bodies for that time, or the body may not be acceptable for various reasons. So make an alternative plan just in case.

Alegrias1 Thu 18-Mar-21 11:25:36

Not morbid at all nanna8. My grandma made sure we all knew what sandwiches she wanted served at the funeral tea!

Anyway, I love singing and would live to have people sing at my send off, but I'm an atheist.

Any suggestions for songs?

Witzend Thu 18-Mar-21 11:22:25

I’d like Dear Lord and Father....too.
But I also love ‘The day thou gavest Lord has ended...’

I also want the recording of a niece singing a solo of Panis Angelicus with her former school choir. She has a very pure, sweet soprano - it gives me goose bumps every time I hear it.

When my mother was far gone with dementia and no longer even aware that she had grandchildren, I took the CD to play that track to her in her care home. Since she was no longer showing any interest in anything, I was amazed and so pleased when she actually listened and seemed to enjoy it.

We later played it at her funeral.

recklessgran Thu 18-Mar-21 11:17:51

Not religious [ so far anyway] and therefore have asked for a simple trip to the crem. I've asked my 5DD's for Thank Heaven for Little Girls going in and Always Look on the Bright Side of Life going out. Those 2 tunes sum up my life perfectly.
DH wants Funeral March of a Marionette going in [family tune] and the theme tune from The Great Escape going out.
Luckily our daughters share our sense of humour.

Gransey Thu 18-Mar-21 11:17:38

GrannyGravy13

Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum, I decided on this when I was fourteen years old and haven’t changed my mind in 49 years!

I love this song! First single I ever bought. Thanks GG that’s one of my songs sorted. I was also thinking ‘Dancing Queen’ my family and partner would probably choose that for me.

MerylStreep Thu 18-Mar-21 11:14:04

I don’t know what everyone would like to do as I’m donating my body for medical science.

Callistamon
I love that hymn ?

FlexibleFriend Thu 18-Mar-21 11:07:12

I'll be having a simple cremation, no service and no singing.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Thu 18-Mar-21 11:05:45

I'd like Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin as I hope that's where I'm going.
Journey of the Sorceror by Eagles to end.

ExD Thu 18-Mar-21 11:00:42

I do NOT want any 'pop' tunes played at my funeral, just traditional hymns and, if possible, the old traditional service. I don't want to dictate which hymns as I think the family should be free to choose whatever they feel will comfort them, After all - I won't care by then.
Just NO silly non-religious music, its a church for goodness sake!
And I don't want my life 'celebrated'. angry wink
So there! smile

EllanVannin Thu 18-Mar-21 10:59:49

I just wish for a quick in and out job. Maybe just a song/ music to fit the season as the time comes, by choice.
No long drawn out service, not being particularly religious.

Callistemon Thu 18-Mar-21 10:49:18

Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
Forgive our Foolish Ways

I must write it down although we're not allowed to sing just yet so ?

Redhead56 Thu 18-Mar-21 10:48:31

I love A summer Place theme music by Ennio Morricone it is beautiful. It was my dads favourite we played it at his funeral. Thinking about my funeral details I am not religious. I was considering Pure Cremation less trouble for my family.