Choosing The Right Musichelpful tips
Music at a funeral usually includes most (if not all) of the following:
- Music before the ceremony, as mourners assemble
- A piece as the coffin is carried in
- Hymns (if the ceremony is religious)
- One or two musical items during the ceremony
- Music at the end of the ceremony
Many families choose a favourite song, or a piece of music which has a special significance. If you’re looking for some inspiration, you may find the following ideas helpful:
Organ Music
Click on the box below to hear some popular organ pieces / for funerals - all are performed by our own musicians.
Click here to book an organist, or here for more information about organists generally.
Music suggestions
Adagio, from Toccata, Adagio & Fugue - JS BachHymns
Most church funerals will include one or two hymns, though occasionally more are chosen. Click on the box below to hear some popular hymns for funerals, and click here for a pdf of the words
Music suggestions
Choir Anthems
At many church funerals, the choir sings an anthem or two, either accompanied by the organist or unaccompanied.
The following suggestions are performed by our own artists, and all by a choir of just twelve singers.
Click here to book a choir, or here for more information about choirs generally.
Music suggestions
Solo Vocal
Sometimes families prefer to hear an item sung by a soloist rather than a choir. Below are some suitable suggestions.
The following suggestions are performed by our own singers.
Click here to book a solo singer, or here for more information about soloists generally.
Music suggestions
Contemporary Songs
Although many families choose classical music for a funeral, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. The music will often reflect the life and tastes of the person who has died, and it may be that contemporary or secular music is more appropriate.
Music suggestions
Some suggestions:(YouTube links – not our performers)
Bring him home, from Les Misérables – C-M Schönberg
Have I told you lately? – Van Morrison
Somewhere over the rainbow – various artists
Tears in heaven – Eric Clapton
Time to say goodbye (Con te partiro) – Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli
What a wonderful world – Louis Armstrong
You raise me up – Josh Groban / Westlife
