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
