# Name Your Funeral Music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 23, 2007, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049 "2007-01-23T04:05:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/41 "2007-01-23T19:54:07Z")
**Let It Be** - The Beatles. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/42 "2007-01-23T20:13:24Z")
[QUOTE=panache45] I think instead of music, I’d like the mourners to see some classic WB cartoons, like \*What’s Opera, Doc? \*and _One Froggy Evening._ [/QUOTE] As long as it’s one that ends with Porky Pig saying “Th-th-th-that’s all, folks!” ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/43 "2007-01-23T20:27:58Z")
In rough preference order: “The Last Words of David” by Randall Thompson “The Lost Chord” by Sir Arthur Sullivan “In Paradisum” from Faure’s Requiem “In Paradisum” from the Gregorian chant requiem mass For laughs: “Amazing Grace” sung to the tune of “Gilligan’s Island.” “Happy Trails To You” (Roy Rogers) ---
**Author:** ![lucasthegray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@lucasthegray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucasthegray)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/44 "2007-01-23T20:34:06Z")
_Always Look on the Bright Side of Life_ - Monty Python 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/45 "2007-01-23T20:45:34Z")
[QUOTE=mrklutz] One of my former roomates used to say he wanted _You Can’t Alway Get What You Want_ to be played at his funeral. Seemed fitting. [/QUOTE] Is his name Alex? As for me, the aforementioned Louis Armstrong’s “…You Rascal…” Lou Reed “What’s Good” from _Magic & Loss_ Collapsis “Two Egrets” a few songs from local bands, and to finish it off, Frank Black’s “I’m Not Dead, I’m In Pittsburgh” so that my friends down here will be left with the impression that I went back to where I was born and raised, and not left them forever. ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/46 "2007-01-23T22:40:06Z")
_Keep Me in Your Heart_ by Warren Zevon is, IMHO, absolutely perfect. I believe he wrote it after learning he was dying. For the religious aspect, \*It is Well With my Soul \*is a favorite. As a band teacher, I really like _On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss_, by David Holsinger. If I recall correctly, the Navy band played it at a memorial for the Columbia astronauts. It is based on _It is Well With my Sou_l and is a wonderful piece for band. A RealAudio recording of it can be found [here](http://www.jwpepper.com/ram/2219178.ram) if you’re interested. No, that isn’t my band playing it. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/47 "2007-01-23T22:57:21Z")
I’ll have a standard, by the book funeral straight out of the Episcopal church’s Book of Common Prayer. I have four hymns listed for during the service, “Praise to the Lord the Almighty”, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”, “Thine is the Glory”, and “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”. As for incidental music beforehand, I’ve left it up to the organist, with a few suggestions. I want LOUD music, not the soft, solemn, stuff. I want the organist to be able to show off, pulling on the stops, using the pedals, concert type stuff. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/48 "2007-01-23T23:25:38Z")
[QUOTE=Baker] “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” [/QUOTE] Yes! I love this verse: He lives and grants me daily breath; He lives, and I shall conquer death; He lives my mansion to prepare; He lives to bring me safely there. ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/49 "2007-01-23T23:38:15Z")
Whipping Post, by the Allmans. No doubt about it. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/50 "2007-01-24T00:00:14Z")
Come to think of it, I think I’ll add Loreena McKennitt’s _Prospero’s Speech_, and the choral section of Vangelis’ _12 O’Clock_. Yeah…they pretty much fit my mood. ---
**Author:** ![MizTina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MizTina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizTina)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/51 "2007-01-24T01:21:56Z")
Count me in as a third for Louis Armstrong’s (I’ll be glad when you’re dead) "You Rascal You’. ‘The Parting Glass’ from the 'Waking Ned Devine Soundtrack. My kids already know my choices and I have the CDs. ---
**Author:** ![Julius\_Henry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Julius\_Henry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Julius_Henry)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/52 "2007-01-24T01:43:30Z")
[Sit on My Face](http://www.ifilm.com/video/2728413) strikes me as oddly inappropriate, so naturally it’s my choice. ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/53 "2007-01-24T04:44:35Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] Diamonds on my Windshield - Tom Waits [/QUOTE] I was thinking Tom Waits too, but the song Anywhere I Lay My Head. ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/54 "2007-01-24T04:53:39Z")
[QUOTE=LifeOnWry] Into The West, performed by Annie Lennox. [/QUOTE] Same here. I would also like to have her cover of “Every Time We Say Goodbye” played too. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/55 "2007-01-24T05:05:48Z")
Last song: _Samba Pa Ti_, by Santana. Beautifully soft in the beginning, gently segueing into a positive, optimistic feeling. ---
**Author:** ![Theobroma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@Theobroma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theobroma)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/56 "2007-01-24T07:00:56Z")
DeVena beat me to it: “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from Monty Python’s Life of Brian. I really really want that. My mother wanted Vivaldi’s “Spring” and she got it. My father-in-law requested Rhapsody in Blue, and he got that too. Depressing music is depressing. The funeral is depressing enough as it is! If nobody cracks up even once, my heirs picked the wrong person to do the eulogy. Theobroma ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/57 "2007-01-24T14:52:55Z")
[QUOTE=Theobroma] Depressing music is depressing. The funeral is depressing enough as it is! If nobody cracks up even once, my heirs picked the wrong person to do the eulogy. [/QUOTE] After the eighteenth person at my grandfather’s … service said, “This isn’t a funeral, it’s a celebration of life!” I turned to my brother and hissed, “I want a FUNERAL.” I hate funerals that make it feel as though being sad is inappropriate. I think when someone died, it’s right and good to feel sad, and to be allowed to manifest that grief in a public, shared way. I don’t want people to be encouraged to feel happy that I’m dead. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/58 "2007-01-24T15:52:50Z")
[QUOTE=matt\_mcl] After the eighteenth person at my grandfather’s … service said, “This isn’t a funeral, it’s a celebration of life!” I turned to my brother and hissed, “I want a FUNERAL.” I hate funerals that make it feel as though being sad is inappropriate. I think when someone died, it’s right and good to feel sad, and to be allowed to manifest that grief in a public, shared way. I don’t want people to be encouraged to feel happy that I’m dead. [/QUOTE] I appreciate that there are incredibly strong feelings involved. I have been to mournful church services where a preacher who clearly didn’t know the deceased led a strictly formal occasion. The mourners had to concentrate on following various cues to stand, sing, say amen + sit. As I posted earlier in the thread, both my parents recently passed. My mother planned her own funeral from her hospice bed, comlete with cheerful music. She met the lady who was to give the service and they had a lovely chat about my mother’s life and wishes. Mum asked me to make a speech, which was the hardest thing I have ever done. I told some anecdotes about her life and finished with this true story: After Mum had finished planning her funeral, I read back my notes to make sure I’d recorded everything correctly. Mum then said “That sounds wonderful - I wish I could be there!” When I said this at the funeral, there was instant laughter, followed by an embarrassed hush. **I told the mourners that some laughter was exactly what my Mum wanted; she had a happy life and wanted to be remembered that way.** I cried through most of the service (I’m crying now), but I found Mum’s ideas to be a huge comfort. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/59 "2007-01-24T16:10:33Z")
“He’s Gone” by The Grateful Dead. Like a steam locomotive rollin’ down the track He’s go–ne, he’s gone annnd nothin’s gonna bring him back. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049/60 "2007-01-24T16:13:25Z")
Jethro Tull [Slow Marching Band](http://www.cupofwonder.com/broadswo.html#SlowMarchingBand) > [@](#): > > Take a hand and take a bow. > You played for me; that’s all for now, > oh, and never mind the words: > just hum along and keep on going. > > Walk on slowly, don’t look behind you. > Don’t say goodbye, love. I won’t remind you. And, at the end, [Cheerio](http://www.cupofwonder.com/broadswo.html#Cheerio) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-funeral-music/389049.md?page=4)