Funeral Songs

[Deleted]

I thought this was one of the best threads at the old place. There were some really touching examples, and a bunch of hilarious, awesome ones, too. Some had actually been heard at funerals and others were what folks said they wanted to have played at their own. Thoughts?

[Sunnyhorse]

I'm a longtime atheist, but hearing "Amazing Grace" at my father's and grandmother's funerals just tore me up -- mostly, I think, because I heard it so much during my childhood. (Might also have had a tiny bit to do with Mr. Spock's funeral scene in that one "Star Trek" movie, when a bagpiper plays it over his casket as it's shot out into space.)

[Ripley]

I really, really want "Into the West" by Annie Lennox to be played at my funeral.

[Deleted]

I -loved- this thread! I haven't got any ideas at the moment, so this post is rather pointless, but I thought I'd point that out.

[Deleted]

My grandmother always loved loved loved the theme to St. Elmo's Fire, and said that is what she wanted played at her funeral. When she suddenly died in 2000, I had 48 hours to find a copy in my small hometown. I had just about given up when I remembered that I had a copy on cassette in my glove compartment. When the funeral director started the tape and the violins started to play, my aunt said, "Oh you found it" and burst into tears. I think the whole family fell to pieces at that moment, because my grandmother was such a music lover and a big fan of David Foster. I have always been proud that I was able to make her wish come true.

[dancedancexenu]

One of my brothers has vocal training and he sang 'Angels' by Robbie Williams at my grandfather's funeral. I don't care if that song is about heroin. It makes me think of my grandfather now.

At my own funeral I'm pulling for Kenny Rogers's 'The Gambler.' Not because I gamble. Just because I think it would throw everyone for a loop.

[Brookie]

Dan Fogelberg - Along The Road Lyrics

Joy at the start
Fear in the journey
Joy in the coming home
A part of the heart
Gets lost in the learning
Somewhere along the road.
Along the road
Your path may wander
A pilgrim's faith may fail
Absence makes the heart grow stronger
Darkness obscures the trail.
Cursing the quest
Courting disaster
Measureless nights forebode
Moments of rest
Glimpses of laughter
Are treasured along the road.
Along the road
Your steps may tumble
Your thoughts may start to stray
But through it all a heart held humble
Levels and lights your way.
Joy at the start
Fear in the journey
Joy in the coming home
A part of the heart
Gets lost in the learning
Somewhere along the road
Somewhere along the road
Somewhere along the road.

I've always wanted this played at my funeral.

[Casino Bride]

I wanted "In My Life" by the Beatles played at my mother's funeral, but they forced me to go with some dude playing "Amazing Grace". I am still angry every time I hear that song.

[Deleted]

casinobride said:

I wanted "In My Life" by the Beatles played at my mother's funeral, but they forced me to go with some dude playing "Amazing Grace". I am still angry every time I hear that song.

We had that at our wedding. I guess it works in both venues.

[starskin]

I'm a huge Stephen Foster fan, so I think I'd probably want one of his songs. I'm not sure which one, though. "Gentle Annie" seems kind of blatantly obvious (given that it's about a dead woman named Annie, and I'd be----a dead woman named Anne). Perhaps, "Ah, May the Red Rose Live Always". It's lyrically beautiful, plus it's got a gentle trochaic lilt that reminds me a lot of Scottish and Irish ballads. Susy Boggus did a gorgeous rendition on the "Beautiful Dreamer" cd.

Of course, there's always his famous "Camptown Races". You know, whichever they have handy.