# Why do they play bagpipes at police funerals? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [July 1, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868 "2012-07-01T01:12:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EvanF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9de053/32.png) [@EvanF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvanF)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/1 "2012-07-01T01:12:29Z")
This is in response to Cecil’s reference to the movie Braveheart in the column about bagpipes being used at police funerals. I am not an expert in bagpipes, but I know that there are many different kinds, and as a musician and frequent listener of bagpipe music I noticed something strange about the bagpipe and funeral scene in the movie. The pipes being played appeared to be Scottish highland pipes (the most recognizable), yet the sound is definitely that of the Uillean pipes, also called the Irish bagpipes. Again, bagpipes come in many different shapes, sizes, playing styles, and sounds, but this part of the movie bothered me because of the inaccuracy. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/2 "2012-07-01T01:18:23Z")
> [@EvanF](#): > > The pipes being played appeared to be Scottish highland pipes (the most recognizable), yet the sound is definitely that of the Uillean pipes, also called the Irish bagpipes. Again, bagpipes come in many different shapes, sizes, playing styles, and sounds, but this part of the movie bothered me because of the inaccuracy. Welcome! Nitpicking bagpipes? You are going to fit right in. Column in question (it’s usually considered polite to include a link to the column): [Why do they play bagpipes at police funerals? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1281/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals) ---
**Author:** ![EvanF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9de053/32.png) [@EvanF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvanF)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/3 "2012-07-01T03:11:29Z")
Ah, thanks, I shall do so in the future ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/4 "2012-07-01T03:56:32Z")
I assumed they made the mourners listen to bagpipes to show the departed that there are things far worse than being dead. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/5 "2012-07-01T10:03:15Z")
**EvanF** –glad you’re here! A bagpipe aficionado will feel right at home among the iconoclasts, nitpickers, wool-gatherers & other human woodpeckers here at the SDMB. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/6 "2012-07-01T23:00:50Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > I assumed they made the mourners listen to bagpipes to show the departed that there are things far worse than being dead. That must make the departed feel very relieved !?!? ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/7 "2012-07-01T23:03:06Z")
Why were so many of the cops Irish? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/8 "2012-07-01T23:17:08Z")
> [@NetTrekker](#): > > Why were so many of the cops Irish? Immigration demographics. ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/9 "2012-07-01T23:23:04Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Immigration demographics. Which included Italians, Germans, Puerto Ricans, Asians, etc. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/10 "2012-07-01T23:39:17Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Immigration demographics. Is that the new name for nepotism? ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/11 "2012-07-02T04:18:37Z")
A little more seriously, however… I don’t know if I can describe this clearly, but here goes: To me, a bagpipe dirge simply has a good harmony with grieving, and so is appropriate to most all funerals. Many parts of the sound are rough, others discordant - possibly only to my unsophisticated ears - and the whole is awfully complex. And that all fits well with grieving. When the bagpipes are played well, there is, nevertheless, a clear, striking melody - and that fits well with a funeral, as well. It all works. For me, at least. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/12 "2012-07-02T04:25:37Z")
Bagpipes at a Vulcan’s funeral is a bit over the top. > [@WhyNot](#): > > Is that the new name for nepotism? There’s nothing wrong with nepotism as long as it stays in the family. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/13 "2012-07-02T08:53:23Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Is that the new name for nepotism? Discrimination. For a long time, the only employment open to Irish immigrants was the dirty, hazardous jobs no one else wanted. Police work fell into that category; so did the US Army. The cavalry that “won the West” was one-third Irish. ---
**Author:** ![Galwegian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galwegian/32/3426_2.png) [@Galwegian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galwegian)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/14 "2012-07-02T10:38:52Z")
> [@EvanF](#): > > The pipes being played appeared to be Scottish highland pipes (the most recognizable), yet the sound is definitely that of the Uillean pipes, also called the Irish bagpipes. I suspect that it’s because highland pipes look right, but Uilleann pipes just sound better. YMMV, IMHO and all that. _Braveheart_ wasn’t exactly known for its historical accuracy! ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/15 "2012-07-02T12:02:44Z")
> [@Galwegian](#): > > I suspect that it’s because highland pipes look right, but Uilleann pipes just sound better. YMMV, IMHO and all that. > > _Braveheart_ wasn’t exactly known for its historical accuracy! Exactly right. But a good pick up by the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/16 "2012-07-02T12:10:23Z")
And in case you wonder why they use Highland pipes in St Patrick’s day parades (and other Irish related things) it’s because Uilleann pipes aren’t particularly good to march with (according to piping friend when I asked her). ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/17 "2012-07-02T12:19:06Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > Bagpipes at a Vulcan’s funeral is a bit over the top. Perhaps it was the green skin. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/18 "2012-07-02T14:07:26Z")
**Cecil** is out by a century or so in this comment: [QUOTE=Cecil Adams] A dying art a century ago, bagpipe playing was revived in large part by Irish immigrants to the New World who wanted to preserve their culture. [/QUOTE] Bagpipes were indeed in a parlous state two centuries ago, as a result of the Highland clearances during the 18th century and the prohibitions on Highland customs that followed the 1745 uprising. What saved the pipes was that those prohibitions did not apply to the Highland regiments. Piping was allowed and encouraged within the Highland regiments. As a result, piping became heavily linked to military traditions and preserved in that way. By the turn of the 20th century, piping was by no means a dying art, nor was it resuscitated by Irish cops in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/19 "2012-07-02T14:14:07Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > And in case you wonder why they use Highland pipes in St Patrick’s day parades (and other Irish related things) it’s because Uilleann pipes aren’t particularly good to march with (according to piping friend when I asked her). Indeed. The [Uilleann pipes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uilleann_pipes)are designed to be played sitting down, with the bellows that fills the bag strapped to the chest and arm that is used to work it. “Uilleann” means “elbow”, referring to this method of inflating the bag. ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868/20 "2012-07-02T21:28:43Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Discrimination. For a long time, the only employment open to Irish immigrants was the dirty, hazardous jobs no one else wanted. Police work fell into that category; so did the US Army. The cavalry that “won the West” was one-third Irish. While this is true, it is also true that the Irish in the US in the 1840s–50s were the gangbangers of the time (I’m not enough of a historian to say just how accurate the film _Gangs of New York_ was, but the gross situation portrayed is close enough). The lower-class Irish of the time who were ashamed of it all found joining the police force the obvious route to fighting their way out of it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868.md?page=2)