# What song do you want played at your funeral? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 19, 2000, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548 "2000-10-19T16:42:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2000, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/121 "2000-11-18T03:38:10Z")
Somebody has already mentioned _Down in a Hole_ by Alice in Chains. Since I don’t like to copy, and I do like Alice in Chains, I’ll mention _Rain When I Die_. Also, _Sexy Motherfucker_ by Prince. It is a good general purpose song. ---
**Author:** ![Ace\_Face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Ace\_Face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace_Face)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2000, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/122 "2000-11-18T07:19:41Z")
_Redemption Song_ by Toots and the Maytals. ---
**Author:** ![kawliga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea666f/32.png) [@kawliga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kawliga)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2000, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/123 "2000-11-18T09:15:38Z")
“Angel Band” by the Stanley Brothers “Ripple” by the Grateful Dead ---
**Author:** ![SSgtBaloo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@SSgtBaloo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSgtBaloo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2000, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/124 "2000-11-18T10:40:29Z")
If I can’t attend the funeral in some capacity other than “guest of Honor”, I suppose choosing the music before I expire will have to do. After all, just because I’m dead doesn’t mean I can’t have some fun, does it? Besides, if they can have those wild blowouts in New Orleans and call them funerals, why not? I have several musical choices. I’d like to see most of these make the playlist.[list=1][li][We Will All Go Together When We Go](http://members.aol.com/quentncree/lehrer/allgo.htm)[/li]By Tom Lehrer (always a fave). Not that I want anyone to join me in the afterlife ahead of schedule, but I think this tune would set the proper mood for the rest of the festivities. It would be even better if they could hand out song sheets with the lyrics and everyone in attendance could sing along. [li][I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas](http://www.balaams-ass.com/sounds/yustnuts.ra)[/li]_Link to RealAudio sound file – 1.84 MB – Click at your own risk_ By Yogi Yorgesson Since I’m such a Christmas junkie, I’d have to have at least one favorite Christmas dittie played (and no-one could bear to hear “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” one more time anyway). [li][Benson Arizona](http://www.johncarpenter.dk/movies/darkstar/lyrics.html)[/li]_The theme song from John Carpenter’s **Dark Star**._ Lyrics by Bill Taylor, music by ??? I like the sound of this song, and it’s sort of appropriate, don’t you think? [li][Jesus Loves Me](http://incolor.inetnebr.com/stuart/jesus.htm)[/li]Lyrics by Anna B. Warner, 1859 Music by William B. Bradbury, 1861 It was the first song I learned to sing. I still like it. It reminds me how much I love some people, and how much the love of my family means to me. What could possibly be wrong with that? [li][Happy Trails](http://captain-dave.com/aviation/lyrics.html)[/li]Music and Lyrics by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans I used to watch Roy Rogers when I was 5 years old, and always had a fondness for him and Dale Evans. When Roy died, I got all choked up whenever I heard that melody, just like I do for Taps. I still have to stifle a tear when I hear that tune. [li][Taps](http://www.west-point.org/taps/Taps.html)[/li]Music by General Daniel Adams Butterfield (31 October 1831-17 July 1901) I spent 20 years in the military, and I am always deeply moved when I hear this melody played.[/list=1] ~~Baloo ---
**Author:** ![woolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ebca7d/32.png) [@woolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woolly)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2000, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/125 "2000-11-18T11:43:20Z")
Allegri’s Miserere (I’ve heard it sung live by “The Tallis Scholars”; ethereal, haunting, uplifting, glorious and none of my friends would believe I was that cultured!) ---
**Author:** ![No\_Fear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@No\_Fear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Fear)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/126 "2000-12-12T20:15:48Z")
Danny Boy Conway Twitty Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen to glen, and down the mountain side The summer’s gone, and all the flowers are dying 'tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide. But come you back when summer’s in the meadow Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow 'tis I’ll be there in sunshine or in shadow Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so. And if you come, when all the flowers are dying And I am dead, as dead I well may be You’ll come and find the place where I am lying And kneel and say an “Ave” there for me. And I shall hear, tho’ soft you tread above me And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be If you’ll not fail to tell me that you love me I simply sleep in peace until you come to me. _Not a dry eye in the house!_ ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/127 "2000-12-12T23:49:18Z")
I’m an agnostic, so “Amazing Grace” would not be appropriate, but a bagpiper would be good. I’ve never been in the service, so I wouldn’t qualify for “Taps”. But a trumpeter playing the dirge from “Born on the Fourth of July” would be cool. A violinist playing “Ashokan Farewell” might work. As far as recorded music goes, the only things that spring to mind are: Guns and Roses–“November Rain” Blue Oyster Cult–“Don’t Fear the Reaper” Blue Oyster Cult–“Then Came the Last Days of May” Kansas–“Carry On My Wayward Son” Harry Chapin–“Shooting Star” I’m not sure those would really be appropriate, though. ---
**Author:** ![Marvel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marvel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvel)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/128 "2000-12-13T00:05:30Z")
Would LOVE to have “Under the Ivy.” But that may be weird for my hubby because that was played at our wedding. Patty ---
**Author:** ![stargazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@stargazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stargazer)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/129 "2000-12-13T00:13:24Z")
_It is Well With my Soul_, definitely. And I second _When We All Get to Heaven!_ And I want Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar” read: "Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho’ from out our bourne of time and place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar." Doesn’t get much better than that, IMO. And after those are sung/read, I want the party to start! I’d prefer people to celebrate my life rather than mourn my death. After all, I’ll be much happier. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dave99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/45deac/32.png) [@dave99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dave99)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/130 "2000-12-13T00:26:58Z")
It’s been mentioned already, but my first and favourite would be “Please Don’t Bury Me” by **John Prine**. A funny little ditty about organ donation. _“Give my stomach to Milwaukee if they run out of beer”_ Next would be “Sitting in Limbo” by **Jimmy Cliff**. Finally, and I’m surprised no-one has mentioned this one yet, “Break on Through” by **The Doors**. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/131 "2000-12-13T01:08:06Z")
**And When I Die** by **Blood, Sweat and Tears** I was attending a wake for a high school chum, and that song came on the radio. ---
**Author:** ![Welfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e56c9b/32.png) [@Welfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Welfy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/132 "2000-12-13T01:08:32Z")
By My Side by Godspell would be a pretty song. More songs: Death (from the Edward Scissorhands soundtrack)-- It’s just an instrumental song, but it’s very beautiful and haunting. Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World-- sung by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (I know, it’s the etoys song, but damn, it’s awesome) ---
**Author:** ![Wytehawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Wytehawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wytehawk)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/133 "2000-12-13T01:44:45Z")
Here’s another one that nobody’s mentioned yet; Who wants to live forever - Queen, from the movie soundtrack for Highlander. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/134 "2003-04-28T22:29:11Z")
Definitely _Always Look on the Bright Side of Life_ by Eric Idle/Monty Python. “Life’s a peice of shit, when you look at it. Life’s a laugh and death’s a joke, it’s true! You’ll see it’s all a show, keep ‘em laughin’ as you go, just remember that the last laugh is on you!” And maybe _Goodbye For Now_ by the Suicide Machines, but I don’t know because that song kind of chokes me up a bit. I don’t want to have one of those sad funeral’s where all the kids are bored and the adults are sorry they came. Now that I think of it --I’ve only been to a couple funerals, but --is it typical to even play music at them? I don’t think I’ve ever heard a song at a funeral. ---
**Author:** ![urban1a](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e47c2d/32.png) [@urban1a](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urban1a)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/135 "2003-04-28T22:35:27Z")
“Sing, Sing, Sing” Guy Lombardo, 1947 The happiest song I know. Bob ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/136 "2003-04-28T22:36:54Z")
Holy resurrection Batman. Let’s get this party started. -Pink ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/137 "2003-04-28T23:01:26Z")
None thank you, but please toast a beer to me. ---
**Author:** ![Daizy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daizy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daizy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/138 "2003-04-28T23:04:22Z")
What a fabulous thread. The songs that I had always wanted played were: [Goodbye My Friend](http://www.kissthewind.com/angelstouchgraphics/set6/gmf.htm) and oddly enough… [Send in the Clowns](http://www.geocities.com/gidges2001a/sendintheclowns.html) But now that I’ve read through this whole thing… I’m waffling. :o Daizy ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/139 "2003-04-28T23:26:27Z")
[ul] **A Whiter Shade of Pale** ;)[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![flybynight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@flybynight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flybynight)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548/140 "2003-04-28T23:33:44Z")
Tom Waits and \*San Diego Serenade Never saw the morning, 'til I stayed up all night Never saw the sunshine, 'til you turned out the light\* Then Joey Ramone’s cover of _It’s a Wonderful World_ and that’s the second time I’ve responded with that song in a thread today…hmm… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-do-you-want-played-at-your-funeral/37548.md?page=8)