![]() In 2019, 65% of Americans identified themselves as Christians. Religious funeral ceremonies are more structured and often follow certain musical traditions. – Marinna Mendoza, Funeral Director, Sunset Funeral Home in Danville, ILĦ. ![]() The entire chapel sings along, while laughing and chatting.” It’s always a hit amongst the family and guests immediately lightening the mood. “On more than one occasion, a family requested we play the ‘Go Cubs Go’ theme song at the end of the service. – Tessa Tucker, Funeral Director, Sunset Funeral Home in Danville, IL Her toddler great-grandson stole the show and it was a beautiful tribute and a true celebration of her life.” The deceased was a fun-loving lady who enjoyed dancing. “A family I recently served had us play ‘YMCA’ and invited their guests to stand up and join them in dancing. Our funeral directors have shared stories about the unique ways a loved one’s life passions were incorporated into the services using music. The Darby family owns funeral homes in East Central Illinois and West Central Indiana as well as Sun City, Arizona. ![]() The music played can help paint the picture of the deceased’s life in a personalized, more joyful way. ![]() Will the ceremony be a celebration of life?Ĭelebrations of Life, which are more lively and less formal than traditional funeral services, are becoming more common. Or, perhaps you recently rode in a car with the person who passed away and can recall the tunes playing on their radio. If you are unsure what type of music your loved one gravitated toward listening to, you may be able to find old records, tapes or CD’s in their home that would indicate their taste in music. If the deceased happened to be a musician, a nice touch would be to play a song he or she liked to sing or composed. Knowing the musical preferences of the person who passed away can be very helpful when selecting songs for their funeral. Also, keep in mind that some funerals have a mixture of recorded and live music making for a more diversified service. Last but not least, don’t dismiss the option of including an instrumental piece as songs without lyrics are considered universal and can be quite moving. Although no longer a staple at services, organ music can also be played. Regardless of where services are conducted, hiring a soloist or band is always an option. This can especially pull on the audience’s heartstrings.įor ceremonies held in a church, including a choir brings a spirited richness that can be evocative in many ways. Another idea is to have a person close to the deceased perform a song specifically written for the occasion. Sometimes a musically inclined family member or friend is invited to sing or play an instrument at the ceremony. If you need a little extra help making decisions, don’t hesitate to ask your funeral director for guidance. When selecting music for services, one of the first things to decide is how it will be delivered to funeral attendees.įor families who prefer prerecorded music, most funeral homes have song collections available in a variety of genres to choose from. Always be mindful of the potential thoughts and feelings of funeral guests by making sure the selections are comforting and tasteful. Regardless of the music’s genre, a good practice is to listen to all songs that will be played at a funeral in their entirety. Musical genres have evolved from classical to include varieties such as rock, pop, and the fastest growing style, country. Veering away from traditional, more subdued music is certainly acceptable in today’s society. Historically, some parameters existed as to the style of music deemed appropriate for funeral services. Ceremonies are then concluded with a faster paced tune that has a more upbeat melody intended to lift the spirits of departing guests. A song that helps tell the story of a loved one’s life is generally played after the eulogy and possibly after a reading. A more somber selection usually commences the service. Ideally, three to four songs should be played at a service. While there are not any steadfast rules for choosing music for end of life services, outlined below are 8 questions you can ask yourself to help streamline the decision making process. Funeral music has the ability to stir many emotions and allows memories of special times spent with the deceased to resurface. Investing time and thought into selecting music that reflects the life of the person who passed away can help create a heartwarming, memorable ceremony. It sets the tone for services by providing a unified platform for family and friends to support one another in their time of grief. Music can be one of the most powerful parts of a funeral or memorial service and plays a key role in giving a loved one a proper, final farewell.
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