# What music should be played at your funeral/wake? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672 "2010-07-14T16:18:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/41 "2010-07-15T06:21:21Z")
“Louie, Louie” by The Kingsmen ---
**Author:** ![akira5822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@akira5822](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akira5822)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/42 "2010-07-15T06:27:04Z")
Flogging Molly…[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TamOrADrhwc&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TamOrADrhwc&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/43 "2010-07-15T06:42:51Z")
I have final instructions already in place for my departure. There will be no funeral, just a hell of a wake. Since at least 3/4 of the folks attending are past or current musicians, there will be an all night jam session with the first four sets played by musians that I’ve worked with and family members (some of whom are in both categories). First set: bluegrass gospel (Heathen that I am, I enjoy playing this genre) including Amazing Grace (sombody bring a dulcimer) Who Will Sing for Me Uncloudy Day Will the Circle be Unbroken (featuring sombody who plays autoharp better than I do) Second set: bluegrass, folk and Irish standards including The Parting Glass Whiskey, You’re the Devil Foggy Mountain Breakdown Third set: pop and country standards including Sing Me Back Home My Heros Have Always Been Cowboys My Life Fourth set (second case of whiskey): blues, old rock and metal including Bohemian Rhapsody Smoke on the Water The Sky is Crying Stormy Monday Don’t Get Around Much Anymore The rest of the night will be whatever the musicians want to play. Wake ends when the whiskey runs out. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/44 "2010-07-15T07:36:35Z")
A friend of mine had the Star Wars theme at his funeral. Very appropriate, as he was a big fan and was very representative of the kind of life he led. I haven’t given my funeral a single ounce of thought, and I am not a fan of music at all. Plus, I’m an atheist. So I choose [Entry of the Gladiators](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0). ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/45 "2010-07-15T07:43:22Z")
[A song that was custom-written for funerals.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMqXj-eVCjI) It would be tough to think of something more apropos. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/46 "2010-07-15T08:38:18Z")
[Australia by The Shins](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHTSxw6zN1E) ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/47 "2010-07-15T13:14:19Z")
I remember a Maude episode where she attends the funeral of a friend and they are playing “The Girl from Ipanema” at the wake. It struck me as terribly funny. How about “The Morning After” by Maureen McGovern. There’s got to be a morning after…Well not for you 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/48 "2010-07-15T13:41:24Z")
I was raised as a Lutheran, and I’ve developed a fondness for classical pipe organ music, especially the compositions of JS Bach, but also other composers of the time. Setting up the funeral for my mother, I was appalled by the cookie cutter hymn selections from the church because they were all dreadfully dark. Screw it, I’m dead. Have a party. For my actual funeral, I want the stuff I liked sitting in church, like A Mighty Fortress. Stuff that’s upbeat and reflective of my view of life. For any viewing, I’ve specified a mixture of the sacred and profane, being more of the types of church music I liked mixed with my favorite rock tunes. My parting shot to the world, whenever I’m finally disposed of, is supposed to be Johnny Cash’s cover of Vera Lynne’s _We’ll Meet Again_, the ending tune to _Dr. Strangelove_. Amazing Grace on bagpipes is traditional for fire service funerals. I’ve vowed violent haunting to anyone who allows this. I’m not a Calvinist… Similar haunting if that Eee-eee- uh-eee-eee-eee-eee dirge is ever played. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/49 "2010-07-15T13:51:45Z")
[“Old Friend”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Q_F-yjBRY), by Lyle Lovett [“Redemption Day”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoSkjdquxlw), by Johnny Cash [“May It Be”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOykCYDMKBs), by Enya James Horner/Jimmy Doohan version of [“Amazing Grace”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbv4HU7_cpg) ---
**Author:** ![seanchai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@seanchai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seanchai)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/50 "2010-07-15T14:16:33Z")
Any decent Celtic group’s version of “The Dark Island”. No vocals. Then y’all can go down to the pub (NOT a Plastic Paddy pub - a REAL pub) and talk over old times. (“Do you remember when …?”). If the craic reaches ninety I won’t be back to haunt ya! an seanchai ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/51 "2010-07-15T15:22:17Z")
**My Way** by Sid Vicious ---
**Author:** ![zoog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ea924/32.png) [@zoog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoog)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/52 "2010-07-15T18:33:20Z")
It’s not going to matter to me - I’m gonna be dead. I suppose that if my survivors want to play music that I liked, they can do that if it makes them feel better. Or they can play music that they like, even if I hated it when I was alive. Like I said, it ain’t like I’m gonna hear it. I’m not haunting anybody, remember me how you will. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/53 "2010-07-15T18:35:58Z")
I’d love a New Orleans-style jazz funeral. I know enough brass players to get one, too. ---
**Author:** ![akira5822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@akira5822](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akira5822)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/54 "2010-07-15T19:35:52Z")
> [@Mooch](#): > > **My Way** by Sid Vicious Love this 😃 ---
**Author:** ![maplekiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@maplekiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maplekiwi)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/55 "2010-07-15T19:45:46Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > I remember a Maude episode where she attends the funeral of a friend and they are playing “The Girl from Ipanema” at the wake. It struck me as terribly funny. > > How about “The Morning After” by Maureen McGovern. There’s got to be a morning after…Well not for you 🙂 A friend’s stepfather’s name was Jack & they played “Hit the Road, Jack” as they carried his coffin out of the church. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/56 "2010-07-15T19:54:18Z")
My grandmother died this past New Years. The musical selections she requested for her funeral were the beloved Southern Baptist hymns of her youth. _In the Garden_, _He Walks With Me_, etc. Seeing as how she had eloped, however, and married a Catholic (and converted), the songs were somewhat unfamiliar to most of the congregation who attended the funeral. For my own funeral, I would like to have an orchestra with baritone soloist singing the _Requiem_ by Borodin. It’s not a full mass…just the opening prayer. Borodin composed it as part of a game. He and his friends challenged each other to take familiar song phrases and transform them into “serious” pieces. His _Requiem_ uses as its basis the Russian equivalent to the annoying little piece known to amateur pianists everywhere as “Chopsticks.” And it’s positively glorious. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/57 "2010-07-16T01:26:36Z")
Any selection from my Juno and Grammy-winning Platinum Album or Griffin and Governor General’s award winning book of poetry would suit me fine… 😃 Seriously, I don’t think there’s anything to be played or read that will make me feel any better about the occasion, so I’d simply suggest that whatever musician or singer ends up doing my funeral should play whatever turns him or her on. The wake is a whole different matter - any venue with a lot of booze and some top notch instruments will do nicely, and any bastard that doesn’t get up at least once to play or sing _something_ is going to get haunted by whatever means I have at my disposal. You’re reminding me that I still haven’t done a proper will and all that, but one of the things I want to do is ensure there’s enough money after the bills are paid and the kids get their share to endow an ongoing concert series. At least four performances a year, mixed programs of classical chamber music, art song, jazz trios / quartets and poetry readings, surrounded by food, whisky and wine tastings. _ **That’s** _ how I’d like to be remembered… ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/58 "2010-07-16T01:45:02Z")
I’ve always been partial to Peter Gabriel’s ‘Solsbury Hill’, but I’m afraid anyone at the funeral might get the wrong idea. I was always trying to ‘leave home’ when I was little, always wanted to travel and see places, and it took a long time for my family to recognize I wasn’t going away, I was going _to_. I hear the song in the same spirit, but don’t want anyone thinking I’d _willingly_ bite the dust. 😛 Or having my sister sing a song I grew up with my dad playing on the guitar, called The Albatross. Problem is, I’ve never heard the song nor seen the lyrics anywhere else. Albatross song? Yep. But not ones with lyrics that go like: …and sometimes, on a cloudless night, You may look up, and see me fly…high in the sky… For I, I am the albatross, And the albatross flies high and alooooooone… \ That song would just make everybody cry, so that would work. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/59 "2010-07-16T02:02:13Z")
At the funeral parlor: The Long and Winding Road by the Beatles, to put everyone in a teary, somber mood. At the cemetary: Mull of Kintyre, complete with bagpipes. At the wake: Enjoy Yourself by the Specials - this will be an enforced sing-along, I don’t know if there will be a mosh pit, though. ---
**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:** [July 16, 2010, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672/60 "2010-07-16T02:21:18Z")
[Love bade me welcome](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNMnGNL0-uw) by Ralph Vaughn Williams [The Last Words of David](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlfXwZYUWF4) by Randall Thompson [Alleluia](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTdrAt3vReA) by Randall Thompson “How lovely is Thy dwelling place” from Brahms’ _Ein Deutsches Requiem_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-should-be-played-at-your-funeral-wake/546672.md?page=4)