Question: Do we provide music for funerals?
Answer: Yes
Funerals:
The loss of loved ones can be overwhelmingly sorrowful. For many, funerals are one of the most emotionally challenging events they will ever organize. To help ease the burden, a musician performing meaningful music can be cathartic and uplifting.
Memorial Music:
Music can express the ineffable. When words aren't enough music finds a way to engender thoughts and feelings in a tangible experience. Families and friends often share memories with the departed that can be set to a soundtrack that evokes those special moments so that all gathered can share in cherishing their relationships.
Celebrating Loved Ones:
While what brings family and friends together is a heartbreaking gathering, such an occasion may be most appropriately honored in a celebration of life. Losing someone dear to you and special to others likely means there were many qualities to admire that will be missed. Some who've passed may have wished those from whom they've parted not mourn when they remember them, but to be grateful for their time together.
Appropriate Music:
Many sad songs are incredibly beautiful and a memorial service is likely the perfect setting for lamenting melodies and pensive prose that represent the grief of those present. Sometimes seemingly odd song requests may have the most meaning like Take Me Out To The Ballgame for baseball fanatics, or a song by a rock band from a concert they attended, or music from the soundtrack of a movie starring the departed's favorite actors. And sometimes songs of perseverance, strength, and joy can be the most appropriate way of celebrating the life of a loved one.
Here are some songs that cover the range of cathartic grieving to lovingly commemorating:
Amazing Grace
Annie's Song
Blackbird
Dance with My Father
Dust In the Wind
Every Breath You Take
Fire and Rain
Fly Away
Fly From Heaven
Forever
Hallelujah
I Will Always Love You
Landslide
Lean on Me
Let It Be
Like a Sad Song
One More Time
Over the Rainbow
Ready to Fly
Shower the People
Sunshine on My Shoulders
Tears In Heaven
To Where You Are
The Other Side
Through My Veins
Un-break My Heart
Walk Away
What a Wonderful World
When the Saints Go Marching In
When You Loved Me
Who Wants to Live Forever
Wildflowers
With or Without You
Yesterday
You Raise Me Up
You've Got a Friend
