# Your Funeral Song **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 28, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594 "2008-09-28T17:33:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/61 "2008-09-29T15:15:45Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > _Con Te Partiro_ by Sarah Brightman. This is mine as well. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/62 "2008-09-29T15:18:53Z")
“You can’t always get what you want.” Rolling Stones ( I have no idea if that is the exact title, but you know what I mean.) ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/63 "2008-09-29T15:27:28Z")
As much as I usually mock Andrew Lloyd Webber, I can think of two songs of his I’d like sung at my funeral: “Hand Me the Wine & the Dice,” from Aspects of Love, and “Surrender,” from Sunset Boulevard. Since the OP requires that I choose one, I’ll opt for the latter; it’s a nice antidote to the notion that the the only comfort for the grieving is the notion of an afterlife. Here’s a few lines to explain what I mean; follow the [link](http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/aspectsoflove/handmethewineandthedice.htm)for the rest, or, better buy the soundtrack. If death were given a voice, That voice would scream through the sky: Live while you may for I am coming… So hand me the wine and the dice, I want my carnival now, While I have thirst and lust for living! ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/64 "2008-09-29T15:33:59Z")
Sad fiddle music. I want people weeping bitter tears, dammit. 😉 [Ashokan Farewell](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm68kGuChcw&feature=related) is a fine funeral choice. And actually, it sounds good on any instrument: [On guitar](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYycTtLa3QY) [On dobro (slide guitar).](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRa_hGpZiMI&feature=related) [On mandolin](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6WzsjMEy04&feature=related). [Piano](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4crQDELeNqo). Or maybe I’d go with [Bonaparte’s Retreat](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNigFpaBBf8&feature=related). It has a nice bittersweet aspect. ---
**Author:** ![baldercrap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/49beb7/32.png) [@baldercrap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baldercrap)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/65 "2008-09-29T15:46:07Z")
Built to Spill - The Weather ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/66 "2008-09-29T15:59:00Z")
[Lovely Day by Bill Withers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4PQQyYQ7Cg). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/67 "2008-09-29T20:19:20Z")
My husband wants _'Looks Like I’m Up Shit Creek Again_’ by Tom Waits. I would like ‘_Spirit In The Sky_’ by Norman Greenbaum. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/68 "2008-09-29T20:24:33Z")
_Ripple_, by The Grateful Dead. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/69 "2008-09-29T20:44:07Z")
**Rainbow Connection.** By Mr. the Frog. I just like the song. My kids know I like the song. Middleson had it played for the Mother & Son dance at his wedding. So that would be it. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/70 "2008-09-29T21:05:21Z")
In My Life, by The Beatles ---
**Author:** ![Foxy40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Foxy40](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foxy40)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/71 "2008-09-29T21:16:41Z")
> [@Queen\_Bruin](#): > > Ding Dong the Witch is Dead Good one. I plan to use it for my mother. To answer the question..none. Burn me up, scatter me to the wind under a tree some where and go have a few beers. Pick your own music from the juke box. I’ll even leave a few singles for the machine. Because that was the kind of gal I was. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/72 "2008-09-30T03:00:41Z")
Assuming my father is still alive when I die, I want CATS IN THE CRADLE to be played in a private ceremony. Only very close friends and family. Me bitter?..nah For the rest of my extended family and friends. I want it to be a PAR-TAY. Celebrate life and not death. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/73 "2008-09-30T03:27:29Z")
I’m not sure what I’d want played, but I was visiting my mom this summer and she had a mix tape (or CD, not sure) in the car that she was listening to. It was a very odd mix. Then she told me it was the music she wanted played at her funeral. Kinda creeped me out. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/74 "2008-09-30T03:43:13Z")
I second “Spirit In The Sky”, Norman Greenbaum version and _cranked_. For the part where they carry me down the path and lower me into the grave, I want Alice Cooper’s “Killer”, complete with the _THUNK!_ at the end. Bonus points to mourners who recognize it and break into helpless fits of giggles. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/75 "2008-09-30T14:57:43Z")
> [@Beware\_of\_Doug](#): > > Oh, I fully realize _that_ little fact. Just enough to make me choke, in a dozen little ways, every day. > > You see, if you’re right, and you surely are, then your entire goddam life is on the line all the time, in everything you do. Never a moment’s peace, just endless performance anxiety. You just described my current situation; hopefully, I’ll take some responsibility and be able to change it soon! I’d like “Bittersweet Symphony” by the Verve. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/76 "2008-09-30T15:54:37Z")
“Old and Wise,” by the Alan Parsons Project. _And oh, when I’m old and wise Heavy words that tossed and blew me Like Autumn winds will blow right through me And someday in the mist of time When they ask you if you knew me Remember that you were a friend of mine As the final curtain falls before my eyes Oh when I’m old and wise…_ ---
**Author:** ![Betcey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betcey/32/3413_2.png) [@Betcey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Betcey)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/77 "2008-10-01T18:22:57Z")
No question. Pink Floyd - “Great Gig in the Sky”. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/78 "2008-10-01T18:31:06Z")
> [@winterhawk11](#): > > “Old and Wise,” by the Alan Parsons Project. > > _And oh, when I’m old and wise > Heavy words that tossed and blew me > Like Autumn winds will blow right through me > And someday in the mist of time > When they ask you if you knew me > Remember that you were a friend of mine > As the final curtain falls before my eyes > Oh when I’m old and wise…_ That’s my second choice- the first is Moody Blues’ _Nights In White Satin,_ ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594/79 "2008-10-01T19:09:12Z")
Ashoken Farewell is good…but I think I’ve almost always wanted the Lachrymosa from Mozart’s Requiem–but by a choir with a **really good** soprano section. Soft and soaring, not thin and screechy.:mad: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-funeral-song/465594.md?page=3)