The final goodbye

The final goodbye

How To Choose Music For a Funeral

by Monica Ruiz

When planning a funeral, there are a lot of things to consider. Between choosing a venue, letting people know about the funeral, and organising the cremation or burial, choosing music might be the last thing you want to think about. However, it is an important aspect of a funeral and really adds some atmosphere to the event. You can ask your funeral director about music ideas, as well as about other funeral services, but the information below will help you choose music that fits your loved one perfectly.

Consider Your Venue

One of the most important things to consider before choosing funeral music is the limitations of the venue. A strict religious venue may have restrictions on what sort of music can be played, and may have their own faith-based song suggestions to make. However, they may also have a choir who can perform at the funeral, if you wish. As Everplans points out, you will also need to ask the venue about their technological capacities, as there's no point bringing in music on a CD if they don't have a CD player, or on an iPod if they have nowhere to plug it in.

Think About Tone

A funeral has a different meaning to everyone, and music can really set a certain mood. Slow songs lead mourners to reflect on death, whereas upbeat songs may turn the event into a celebration of life. Bethel Funerals suggests choosing music from an era that was significant to your loved one, such as swing for someone born in the forties, or disco for someone who grew up in the seventies. 

Decide Whether to Have Live Music

Having a song played by someone who is actually present can add a heartfelt, personal touch to any funeral. However, many sources of advice, including Saga, caution against having close friends or family members perform. This is because their emotion may be overwhelming, and may stop them from performing to their usual standard. One option is to hire a professional musician to play a special song, and another is to get a choir or band to perform. This all depends on your budget, as well as how much you want live music.

Consider Your Loved One's Personality and Interests

You should also think carefully about what your loved one might have wanted. Did they have a favourite song or a type of music that they loved? Would they want a funny song to uplift people or a calm one to help people reflect? Think about how they spent their time. A song about a favourite hobby might be nice, or even the theme music from a much-loved TV show.

By following the steps above, you are sure to find the perfect funeral music for your loved one. Consider what they would have enjoyed, as well as what your budget and venue allow, and you can't go far wrong.


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About Me

The final goodbye

Working in a funeral home means we give people a chance to say their final goodbye to loved ones. No matter how hard it is in the moment to let go, when they look back, they are always grateful when they look back to have had a chance to mourn with family and friends and say their final goodbye. Everyone mourns differently, so we have different services and structures to support people through the process of choosing all of the details of the service. If you are confused by the options available, keep reading. This site is an introduction to funeral services.