Funeral Music

phoenix, those are the hymns which I suppose your son feels will honour his grandmother. What about the music as you enter and leave the service, that's where the Mat Monroe feels right. Hope you manage to have some input x

Not my choice I must say Phoenix As she's your mother don't you get the casting vote?

I am very cross! My son asked me think about music for the service, (he had already decided on The Lord's My Shepherd) so, after reading this thread I had some suggestions.

3 times I phoned him, and left a message that I had some ideas, but he didn't call back.

I thought that one of the Matt Monroe songs would be perfect, as I remember my mother's close friend(they met in the mother and baby home, and always stayed in touch) coming to visit about 20 years ago, and we were playing his music.

Finally got to speak to him today, and apparently it's all sorted.

The Lord's My Shepherd, and Abide With Me!

Give me strength.

I have opted for Queen too, 'Tie your mother down' 'Take my breath away' 'Another one bites the dust' and more than likely 'My melancholy blues'.
Nat King Cole has always been a favourite of DH and I and we both like 'Autumn leaves' as it reminds us of our October wedding and honeymoon in the Lakes.

I'm having all Queen music at my funeral. In particulaar I lke "Those Were the Days of our Lives".

I agree with so many lovely posts above. Eva Cassidy's version of Over the Rainbow brings a tear.When leaving the church I would like Smile Though Your Heart Is Aching

Thank you all for taking the time to post everyone.

Sorry, Elrel, not a chance on earth that we will be playing anyone singing 'Somewhere'. I am reduced to tears any time by that song, never mind at a funeral!

I can't remember what we played at the start of my mother's funeral, might have been Barber's Adagio. During the service we sang "Will your Anchor Hold?" which will be familiar to some Cornish members. (They sang it at David Penhaligon's funeral) At the end we had Satcho and When The Saints Go Marching In, which she would have loved.

I just reminded myself of Matt Munroe. He recorded 'Somewhere' from West Side Stiry which I think is beautiful and has sent shivers down my spine and prompted a tear from the first time I heard it in the 1960s stage show.

I'm sure you and your family will find evocative and beautiful music for your mother.

A friend was very disappointed some 10 years ago when she wasn't allowed to have Qué Sera by Doris Day played at her mum's funeral (not in a Church). It's good that they seem to have lightened up.

I loved 'See you in my dreams' as sung by Joe Brown at the memorial concert for George Harrison, although this is more suitable for a partner than a mum.

my mum had Panis Angelicus ,and an old hymn called Take me To Thy Sacred Heart which was always a favourite of hers,my granny had the same at her funeral 45 years ago,as mum was cremated we had Moonlight and Roses( bring woderful memories of you) as her farewell ,it was her favourite song and I heard her sing it literally thousands of times while she did the housework

We played "we are the champions" at my mums funeral. The vicar spoke the closing words of the service over the music.. It was beautiful.

I went to the funeral of a friend some years ago, I think it was her choice that her exit music was Who Wants toLive Forever, by Queen. It still brings a lump to my throats when I hear it.

For my Mum's funeral I chose Gabriel Faure's "In Paradisum" sung by King's College Choir - a beautiful and moving piece of music. She had requested "Wish me luck as you wave me good-bye" sung by Vera Lynn as the music to accompany the coffin going through the curtain (a bit teary!), and finally, as we exited, I chose Vaughan Williams' "The Lark Ascending", another beautiful piece.
Sorry for your loss, Kitty, I hope you find something you like from all the great suggestions here.

Sorry for your loss. I've not been to a service that had hymns for a long time. It seems to be 3 pieces of music and people are choosing secular music. Wind Beneath my Wings is often sung at funerals and not yet mentioned here. Unforgettable by Nat King Cole could be suitable for someone of your mother's age.

I chose One More Step, as the final hymn for my dear Uncles funeral.
He was a happy man and the lines; 'from the old I travel to the new, keep me travelling along with you' seemed to fit.
Also easy to sing.

bellanonna I had forgotten just what a beautiful piece "Et Incarnatus Est' is.

The Prayer by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli was played at a funeral I went to.

I too will note down some of these suggestions which seem so appropriate.

Can I add 'Going down to the river to pray' by Alison Krauss, I think.

Thinking of you Kitty

We played Que Sera Sera ( whatever will be..) by Doris Day as one of the songs for my mum. The words were appropriate for us and she loved it also love is like a Butterfly by Dolly Parton for the same reasons .

My grandma a few months earlier had a full Catholic affair as she was very religious so mostly hymns (our shared favourite hymn was Lord of All Hopefulness) with Under the Bridges of Paris by Dean Martin thrown into the mix (it sounded amazing in the High Church) as this was a song my grandparents used to Waltz around the sitting room too. Happy memories.

The only hymn we had at Dad's (90yo) was Love Divine All Loves Excelling as we entered, as it was sung at his wedding to my stepmum 18 years ago. For the reflective time - Moonlight Serenade, Glenn Miller (they would dance around the kitchen to it) and before we left Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong. It was a lovely service x

Thank you - I knew I could rely on you all.

It is hard phoenix. Mum didn't go to church but did go to a convent school and we feel she'd 'expect' a religious ceremony. We have asked my friend who is a celebrant to take the service. I hope mum won't be shocked by her pink hair!!

At a friend's funeral last year I was totally moved by Eva Cassidy's 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' which is one of my favourite songs though I never knew it was one of her favourites too.

Knowing your Mum as you did I'm sure you'll pick the right music for the service, maybe prompted by some of the ideas on here. Take good care of yourself.

The flower duet is lovely as Chewbacca says, moving and beautiful.