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 song suggestions that cover the range of cathartic grieving to lovingly commemorating:

Amazing Grace-Traditional

Annie's Song-John Denver

Blackbird-The Beatles

Dance With My Father-Luther Vandross, Richard Marx

Dust In The Wind-Kansas

Every Breath You Take-Sting

Fire And Rain-James Taylor

Fly Away-John Denver

Fly From Heaven-Toad The Wet Sprocket

Forever-Kenny Loggins

Hallelujah-Leonard Cohen, Bon Jovi, Matt McCallie*

I Will Always Love You-Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, Chris Cornell, Matt McCallie*

Landslide-Fleetwood Mac, Smashing Pumpkins

Lean On Me-Bill Withers

Let It Be-The Beatles

Like A Sad Song-John Denver

One More Time-Richard Marx

Over The Rainbow-Matt McCallie*

Ready To Fly-Richard Marx

Shower The People-James Taylor

Sunshine On My Shoulders-John Denver

Tears In Heaven-Eric Clapton

To Where You Are-Josh Groban, Richard Marx

The Other Side-Richard Marx

Through My Veins-Richard Marx

Un-break My Heart-Toni Braxton

Walk Away-Ben Harper

What A Wonderful World-Louis Armstrong*

When The Saints Go Marching In-Traditional

When You Loved Me-Richard Marx

Who Wants To Live Forever-Queen

Wildflowers-Tom Petty

With Or Without You-U2

You Raise Me Up-Josh Groban

You've Got A Friend-James Taylor, Carole King