Music for your funeral???

Cafe Society
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What do you want to have played at your funeral?

I’m always joking with friends that, when I go, they’d better be prepared for a lo-o-o-o-o-o-ng service, because I’ve got this mile-long list of music that MUST be played.

It includes:

“The Long Day Closes” by Sir Arthur Sullivan
“As Torrents in Summer,” by Sir Edward Elgar
All of the German Requiem, or if time is limited, just the 2nd and 4th movements
The largo from the New World Symphony
All of the Mozart Requiem, or if time is limited, just the Lacrymosa
All of the Faure Requiem – yeah, the whole thing
The 23rd psalm from the Rutter Requiem
That amazing Chanticleer arrangement of “Calling My Children Home” (NB to family & friends: You’ll engage Chanticleer for my funeral, right?)

And last, but not least, for my nearest and dearest who’ve endured all this (with the help of plenty-O-booze flowing)…
“Oh, Lord, I’m on My Way,” from Porgy & Bess

So, what is on your list of must-have music when you shed this earthly coil?

2

My answer to this for years was Goodbye Violet Race by Spacehog. Today, I don’t know. I’ll get back to you.

3

I’ve requested Perfect Day by Lou Reed, Holst’s Jupiter and Fly Me to the Moon by Sinatra.

My mother wants the Elgar Variations.

My sister wants the Ma Na Ma Na song by the Muppets. And I don’t think she’s joking, she’s wondering how many people will join in singing!

4

This is an easy question: Amazing Grace. Preferably via bagpipes.

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“Yes, We Have No Bananas.”

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Nirvana’s cover of “Lake of Fire.” :smiley:

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I think I love your sister.

8

Led Zep’s The Rain Song.

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Two by Jethro Tull

  1. Slow Marching Band -
    “Walk on slowly don’t look behind you.
    Don’t say goodbye, love. I won’t remind you.”
  2. Cheerio
    “I’ll pour a cup to you my darling.
    And raise it up say Cheerio.”
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Perhaps Bauhaus’ “Bela Lugosi Is Dead” with my name spliced in.

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Anything but “Wind Beneath My Wings” They played that at my sister-in-law’s funeral and I hated it.

I actually want a “Celebration of Life” and want something uplifting and positive.

AC/DC’s Have a Drink on Me ? Just kidding.

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“Ave Maria,” in honor of my Mom.

“Danny Boy,” in honor of my Dad.

“With A Little Help from My Friends,” (Joe Cocker version) in honor of me.

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“Ripple”, by the Grateful Dead. I’ve always thought of it as a great funeral song.

14

The Monster Mash
The Hokey Pokey
Disco Duck (Rick Dees)

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The Pixies’ cover of “In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator Song).”

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My Way by Sid Vicious.

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Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – Monty Python

it MUST be played.
*
Going Home* and Amazing Grace on the Pipes

Dreams I’ll Never See – Molly Hatchett

Shine on You Crazy Diamond and/or Wish You Here – Pink Floyd

there’s a cool acoustic guitar only version of After the Goldrush that would be nice

Ten Years Gone – Zep

Always With Me, Always With You – Joe Satriani

and

  • I Bid You Goodnight* – Aaron Neville
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Always Look on the Bright Side of Life and others MUST join in the whistling.

Funeral For a Friend but just the first part – no “Love Lies Bleeding,” bit, because that would be weird. As a stone EJ fan, this is a given.

I’d also like a “Best of Python” video at the memorial service, but it would probably be wasted on the mourners. I don’t want one of those sentimental slide show presentations with embarrassing pics. God, no, not that!

At my mother’s funeral, they played Love Me Tender at the final pass by of the casket. She was a huge Elvis fan, and it was so appropriate . . . but now I can’t hear that song without tearing up.

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When I was in college, I guy I knew died. And some of his close friends organized a bit of a singalong at the service.

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Barber’s Adagio For Strings

And maybe the Vincent Price segment from the Michael Jackson “Thriller” video, for good measure… :wink: