With the family’s help, I design a musical program to celebrate the life of their loved one and provide a sense of occasion.

Download my funeral information pack here.

I've demystified some of the funeral terminology below to help make sense of it. These suggestions I'm making are intended for a non-religious mass service. Religious masses have a set structure and music built into them already, though you can certainly choose some of the pieces. If you're having a religious service, your priest can guide you in your choices.

PRE-FUNERAL MUSIC

An organist can play soft, gentle music for you before the service starts, as everybody is taking their seats. Alternatively, the funeral home can play mp3s of songs that your loved one would have liked. You can pick them if you’d like to.

PROCESSIONAL

This is a song performed as the casket is brought in, or if the casket is already in place, a song performed to open the service just before the celebrant speaks. It is an important, emotional moment.

REFLECTION

A song performed partway through the ceremony to allow the mourners to reflect. It can be a vocal piece, or just the organist playing something meaningful to you. Alternatively, a recording can be played.

SLIDESHOW MUSIC

There will often be a song played during the photo slideshow of somebody's life. It is easiest if this is recording, as it needs to be strictly timed to the length of the photo slideshow. About 4 minutes is good.

HYMNS

It is nice to have at least one hymn during the service for the mourners to sing. Most people know the tune of a couple of famous hymns. Your loved one may have had a particular hymn that they liked.

RECESSIONAL

This is a song performed at the end of the ceremony as the casket is taken out (for burial) or the curtain is closed (for cremation). The family then leaves the chapel, and the mourners file out row by row.

Song Choices

Here is a list of popular funeral song choices that I've performed at funerals before which may give you some ideas about what you'd like to have at the service. It's entirely your decision, but I can help guide you.

CLASSICAL

Ave Maria - There are a few different versions of this. My favourites are Schubert and Bach-Gounod.

Flower Duet (solo version) - Lakme, Leo Delibes

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Johann Sebastian Bach

L'amero - Il re pastore, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Morgen! - Richard Strauss

Sure on this shining night - Samuel Barber

Will there really be a morning? - Ricky Ian Gordon

CONTEMPORARY

Climb Every Mountain - from The Sound of Music

Fields of Gold - Eva Cassidy

Nella Fantasia - Ennio Morricone (also known as "Gabriel's Oboe", theme song from The Mission)

Over The Rainbow - traditional version, or versions by Eva Cassidy or Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

The Rose - Bette Midler

You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban

HYMNS

Abide With Me

Amazing Grace

How Great Thou Art

Jerusalem

Morning Has Broken

Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven

Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd (set to the 'Crimond' tune)