Picking the right music for a post-funeral reception | Craven Funeral Directors (2024)

FAQs

Picking the right music for a post-funeral reception | Craven Funeral Directors? ›

While you may wish to choose from songs which are popular at funerals and receptions, you may also want to choose music which your loved one may have enjoyed. This could be songs they used to sing, artists they listened to regularly or perhaps just music associated with the region or country in which they were from.

Your loved one's funeral song can be anything of your choice, it doesn't necessarily have to be a popular or classic song. The funeral music should reflect the way they lived their life or a song that may have been special to them.

"'What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong and 'Time to Say Goodbye' by Andrea Bocelli are timeless choices, while 'Supermarket Flowers' by Ed Sheeran and 'Wind Beneath My Wings' by Bette Midler also hold a special place in people's hearts, as they beautifully capture the essence of love and loss.

After the committal when the service concludes, a piece of music is often played as the mourners leave (referred to as 'exit music'). Classical music and hymns are more traditional choices, inspiring calm, grandeur and reflective thinking.

The most requested song for a traditional funeral service is “Amazing Grace,” a Christian folk hymn written by English poet John Newton. Many find the message of forgiveness and redemption a beautiful tribute to the mercy of God.

Certain songs have stood the test of time, becoming evergreen choices for funerals. These include "Amazing Grace", "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion, and "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Gerry and the Pacemakers.

One song particularly embodies what a “happy funeral song” sounds like to most people. This timeless gem is Louis Armstrong's “What a Wonderful World,” a poignant and uplifting melody that transcends cultural boundaries. It offers solace and reminds us of the beauty that exists in the world, even amidst grief and loss.

1. Ave Maria. A short, quiet and focused piece, usually for a solo female voice. Particularly popular for Catholic funeral Masses, but universally loved even for non-religious funerals.

Who pays for dinner after a funeral? ›

The cost of the repast is usually covered by the loved one's family, though a fraternity or sorority group, Sunday school class, trade union or other group your loved one belonged to might sponsor the repast as a gift to the family.

A repast is any gathering of people after a funeral service. Some people called it a reception, which is the term most commonly used. That said, repasts are less formal than a funeral service or memorial.

Funeral receptions are common but you're under no obligation to host one.

Playlists or song requests made by the deceased before passing can also help guide the musical selection. Blending some more lighthearted or upbeat choices that capture their spirit with the traditional mournful funeral songs can make the service feel well-rounded.

Angels by Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams' classic pop ballad Angels, co-written by Guy Chambers, is an endlessly popular choice for funeral music, thanks to its poetic lyrics and powerful melody.

A dirge (Latin: dirige, nenia) is a somber song or lament expressing mourning or grief, such as would be appropriate for performance at a funeral. Often taking the form of a brief hymn, dirges are typically shorter and less meditative than elegies. Dirges are often slow and bear the character of funeral marches.

Here are some of the most recommended sad songs for grief: Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven. Sarah Mclachlan - In The Arms of an Angel. The Beatles - Let It Be.

Yes. From time-to-time, the three music licensing organizations have targeted funeral homes through regional and national compliance and enforcement programs. If music is played at a funeral home without a license, the funeral home could face a copyright infringement action.