Choosing Funeral Songs for the Older Generation

The Power of Musical Legacies

Music serves as a profound part of life, often embodying the essence of us all. In the context of a funeral, selecting songs that resonate with the life and spirit of your loved one is not just a tradition, it is a celebration of their unique story. This guide aims to navigate you through the thoughtful process of choosing funeral songs that honour the older generation, helping you to commemorate their legacy with dignity and love.

Understanding Your Loved One Through Music

Selecting funeral songs is a deeply personal process, one that reflects the personality, life experiences, and preferences of the departed. It’s an opportunity to pay homage to their era, their life’s soundtrack, and the sounds that moved them.

1. Reflect on their life: Consider the songs and genres that your loved one cherished. Were there any particular eras of music they were fond of? Did they have a favourite artist or song that they played often? These musical preferences can serve as a heartfelt starting point in your selection process.
2. The significance of lyrics: Delve into the lyrics of potential song choices. The right words can capture the essence of your loved one’s journey, their values, and the impact they had on those around them. Choose lyrics that speak to their life’s story and the memories you shared.
3. Incorporate family and friends: Involve close family members and friends in the decision-making process. They may offer valuable insights or suggest songs you hadn’t considered, enriching the selection with a collective memory of the loved one.

Curated Recommendations

Below is a list of songs that may resonate with the older generation, each with its legacy of emotion and timeless appeal.

Classics of Comfort:

• Moon River by Andy Williams: A song that evokes a sense of journey and longing, perfect for reflecting on a life well-lived.
• What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong: An uplifting homage to the beauty of life, encapsulating a message of hope and gratitude.

Anthems of Farewell:

• Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman: A powerful duet that speaks to the bittersweet nature of farewells, celebrating the journey beyond.
• The Way We Were by Barbra Streisand: A nostalgic look back at the moments that defined a life, perfect for honouring cherished memories.

Timeless Hymns of Reflection and Comfort

In the solemnity of farewell, certain hymns resonate deeply within the British tradition, offering comfort and solace. We see these come up again and again in the funeral orders of service our customers create. These enduring songs serve as a bridge across generations, evoking a collective memory of faith and continuity:

• Amazing Grace by John Newton: A timeless hymn that offers solace and hope, embracing the spiritual journey of the departed.
• Ave Maria by Franz Schubert: A solemn and beautiful ode to peace, providing comfort in times of sorrow.
• Fight the Good Fight: Encourages steadfastness and courage in the face of adversity.
• I Vow to Thee My Country: Blends patriotism with a spiritual pledge.
• Jerusalem by Sir Hubert Parry, words by William Blake: Invokes the rich tapestry of England’s history and aspirations.
• How Great Thou Art: Celebrates the majesty of the natural world and divine creation.
• All Things Bright and Beautiful: A joyful acknowledgement of the beauty found in the world.
• Abide with Me by Henry Francis Lyte: A request for divine presence and support during life’s darker moments.
• The Old Rugged Cross by George Bennard: Reflects on the profound themes of sacrifice and deliverance.

These hymns, with their evocative lyrics and melodies, offer a meaningful accompaniment to moments of reflection, remembrance, and the heartfelt goodbye.

An Expert’s View

Music’s role in the art of dying well is profound and far-reaching. Maggie, the Director of the Centre for the Art of Dying Well, shares:

“When words aren’t enough, God gave us music – a means to share truth, beauty, and emotion in a way that touches the depths of the soul and gives us a glimpse of eternity.” — Maggie, Director of the Centre for the Art of Dying Well

The Legalities: Music Rights and Funerals

Understanding the legal considerations when playing music at a funeral is crucial. Generally, funerals are considered private events, and copyright restrictions are more lenient. However, if you plan to record or livestream the service, be mindful of copyright laws and obtain the necessary permissions to honour your loved one’s memory without legal hindrance.

Creating a Lasting Tribute

In the moments of planning a farewell that honours the unique life of your loved one, every detail matters. The music you choose weaves a tapestry of memories, a backdrop to the celebration of a life. Similarly, the funeral order of service holds a special place in this commemoration, serving as a tangible keepsake that encapsulates the essence of the day and the spirit of the person you’re remembering.

We understand that creating a funeral program amidst a time of grief can be a challenging task. To assist you in crafting an order of service that is both beautiful and befitting, we invite you to explore our collection of carefully designed funeral order of service templates. Each template is created with the utmost respect and sensitivity, designed to help you create a meaningful tribute that resonates with the legacy of your loved one.

Our templates offer a range of styles and themes, ensuring that you can find the perfect match to reflect the personality, life, and preferences of the person you’re honouring. Whether you’re looking for something classic and timeless or more personalised and unique, our collection aims to provide you with a foundation to build upon, easing the burden during this difficult time.

View our funeral order of service templates, a resource created with the hope of making the process of saying goodbye a little easier. As you navigate through this period of reflection and remembrance, remember that you’re not alone. We’re here to support you in creating a lasting tribute, a final farewell that truly encapsulates the love and memories shared.

Conclusion: A Symphony of Memories

Choosing funeral songs for the older generation is an act of love, a final tribute to their life’s melody. It’s about creating a moment of reflection, celebration, and closure for those gathered to say farewell. As you embark on this journey, let the music you select resonate with the essence of your loved one, forever preserving their memory in the harmony of their favourite music.

We’re Here to Support You 

Your journey through grief and remembrance is a path you need not walk alone. We are here to support you, share stories, and offer guidance. Connect with us or comment below to find solace, share your chosen funeral songs, and celebrate the lives of those who’ve left an indelible mark on our hearts.

About Maggie Doherty

The Expert Insight shared in this post was provided by Maggie Doherty, Director of the Centre for the Art of Dying Well at St Mary’s University, London. With her extensive background in communication, stakeholder relations, and strategic development, Maggie is a recognised figure in the conversation about living and dying well. Her focus on the role of digital health in end-of-life and bereavement care is at the forefront of modern approaches to dying well.

Passionate about governance and ethics, Maggie is also a trustee at St Joseph’s Hospice and brings a depth of knowledge to creating compassionate spaces and projects that promote interdisciplinary work and honour the lived experience. She holds membership in the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, further underscoring her commitment to excellence in her field.

For more on Maggie’s work and the Centre for the Art of Dying Well, please visit her profile on St Mary’s University’s website.