From Dirges to Pop Songs
A look at funeral music today.
By Jackie O’Neill

At my father’s funeral two glitches arose. Firstly, as Dad was still as large as life, an extra pall bearer was required at the last minute to help convey the heavy coffin indoors. Secondly, the master of ceremonies informed me that our fastidiously-prepared cassette of Dad’s favourite honky-tonk melodies could not be played in that particular chapel. Music did accompany the service however it was music that was not of our choosing.

I have often heard friends say in exasperation; “If I attend another funeral and they play Amazing Grace, I’ll scream!” Other religious favourites are Abide with Me, the 23rd Psalm, On Eagles Wings and How Great Thou Art. Who decides upon these hymns or alternative compositions? What are the options? A few churches maintain a formal policy on the type of music played during Christian services. While a funeral is a time to commemorate and celebrate a life, it is also a time of sadness, parting and loss and these feeling are perhaps better expressed by more solemn music.

How important is music at a funeral? “Listen to the families’ wishes,” advised one funeral director I spoke to. Civil celebrants agree; “The music depends entirely on the family!” For many bereaved individuals, music is a not a concern but to roughly 35% of families, a number that has increased noticeably since the 1990’s, music is vitally important. Spouses request songs that were played at their wedding. Franz Schubert’s Ave Maria and César Franck’s Panis Angelicus are particularly popular at Italian funerals for older folk but tend to be sung at funerals (and weddings) solely because ‘they’ve always been sung!’

For small children, people request the most gentle, comforting and hopeful music possible. Lullabies are popular as is Tears in Heaven written by Eric Clapton for his own son Connor, who died falling from an apartment window at age 4 in 1991. Teenagers and young adults ask that a
sibling or friend’s favourite CD be played either during the service or at the viewing. Music has a powerful way of linking people at such times.
It is easy (and cheap!) for undertakers to organise recorded music.

Today, most chapels are equipped with in-house audio systems, and if not, celebrants can generally supply a CD player. Frequently, the service provider selects suitable music. Funeral parlours and celebrants maintain extensive collections for this purpose. There are websites such as www.liturgyhelp.com that offer suggestions and some cemeteries in the UK now download direct from the internet to accommodate all musical tastes at funerals.

Sometimes funeral directors seek live performers such as vocalists, pipers, buglers or organists. Funeral musicians are a mix of amateurs and professionals but many are unavailable during normal working hours. Distinctly musical families may provide or perform music themselves at a funeral.

The broadcast from St Andrews Anglican Cathedral in Sydney, of the legendary Slim Dusty’s State Funeral produced a wealth of memorable musical moments. It may have been the only funeral on record where the congregation sang A Pub With No Beer. Recall the poignant conclusion as the casket departed to the accompaniment of Looking Forward, Looking Back.

Consider the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, where traditional and contemporary music were combined. Organ music before the service included pieces by Mendelssohn, Bach, Dvorak, Vaughan Williams and Elgar. But who will ever forget Elton John’s version of Candle In The Wind? According to the British Co-operative Group’s Funeral Service, more and more funerals are being conducted to the sound of pop music.

An interesting website, www.fondfarewells.com offers a unique worldwide service where the public can go on-line to choose suitable music for a loved one’s funeral, print a list of suggestions or hear clips on-line. They produce customized CDs for safe keeping with living will documentation, funeral pre-plans, life insurance policies and other relevant papers. For recent bereavements, they provide express delivery to ensure a loved one’s musical wishes are respected. They boast a 99.2% success rate at sourcing music, and will produce extra copies for relatives and friends.

Some sample ‘tops’ in various categories when I visited the site were:
• Popular Music: Abba’s I Have A Dream
• Hymns and Religious: Morning Has Broken
•Classical and Military: Bach tops this poll
• Unusual Requests: Paul Simon’s 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
Indeed, the entertainment industry is making great inroads into the funeral industry. Funeral directors and celebrants pay annual premiums to APRA (Australian Performing Rights Association) to cover copyright, though music performed as a part of religious services is exempt from performing rights royalties.

Music can soften and humanise an otherwise potentially grim day. Last year BBC News asked their audiences; “What would you like played at your funeral?” Bette Midler’s version of Wind Beneath My Wings was a favourite request for grieving families to send off loved ones. More controversial options included Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham! and Queen’s Another One Bites The Dust.

The comedians replied:
“The music at the end of Warner Bros Looney Tunes, with Porky Pig saying ‘Th-th-th-that’s all folks!’”
“It’s got to be Hello Goodbye by the Beatles”
“Going Underground by the Jam is a winner”
Tracy Chapman’s I’m Ready was one submission which appealed to me!

However, old fashioned as I am Vera Lynne’s version of We’ll Meet Again is my ultimate choice. If controversial songs are contemplated, then perhaps the congregation should be notified upfront to prevent a generation clash. If warned that a particular tune is significant to the deceased, or a close family member, people will better understand its inclusion.

An intriguing funeral celebrant I unearthed was Elvis Funerals Sydney. Russell of Elvis Funerals, who has been a member of an acappella gospel choir for over ten years, delivers karaoke. His repertoire includes Elvis’s gospel favourites such as Peace in the Valley. For the Elvis fan with a sense of humour, a more appropriate farewell performance might be Return to Sender! Check out Russell’s website www.russellhansen.com.au.