Song for your funeral

[*Bob*]

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

One friend wants universal sobbing and lamentation - so is going for 'the saddest song he can think of'. Another promises to go the chipper comedy route. Personally I think 'Life On Mars' would work really well as the coffin makes its way into the oven - with the specification that the closing of the crematorium curtains are synchronised perfectly with the final orchestral flourish.

[david_carnell]

What precise moment are we talking about *Bob*?

As the coffin enters?

Something for mourners to sing-a-long to?

As the coffin descends (into ground or flame)?

I reckon something classical and dramatic, followed by something uplifting, followed by something properly depressing and moving. I want them leaving my funeral in tears, the bastards.

[*Bob*]

Three tracks? That's a lot.

One at the start maybe for the filing-in. I don't really go with the 'mid-service' track. It's often a bit awkward afterwards - the 'celebrant' never quite knows how to manage the post-music link. I'm not sure it works that well.

I think you want one big hitter that ties everything up with no talking afterwards - then straight down the pub.

[Otta]

Nimrod is always a good one, but perhaps too overused.

I quite like the idea of getting dry ice and a lighting rig and having something really sinister.

[StraferJack]

of late, Gavin Friday's "Lord I'm coming" ticks the boxes for me

Obviously I'm not a religious chap, but the tone and imemdiacy of voice on this works - then the strings stir towards the end. And then some final words

7 minutes long - should cover most of the proceedings

[El Pibe]

At a mate of mine a few years ago [car accident], his family asked that we choose a coupl of tunes, so we chose som e muddy waters and the doors, both huge favourites of his. Poor choice of song as "there's a killer on the road..." echoed across the crematorium.

Anoth mate had a couple of tunes (and he did choose them himself as he had a couple of years to think about it), firstly a melancholic one one of the sad massive attack ones, i forget which exactly but the service finished up with Elvis laughing all the way through Lonesome Tonight, which was a great choice.

Another friend of mine has said he wants 'I am the Resurrection' because it appeals to his sense of humour.

[Jeremy]

How about the Puff Daddy version of Every Breath You Take? Simultaneously brings a tear to the eye and gets the booty shaking. Also reminds us that even when faced with the death of a friend, there's a few quid to be made if you're sharp enough.

[StraferJack]

On another post, just minutes ago, I backed Jeremy to the hilt

I hereby withdraw all support!

[Otta]

If I was going for all out tears, I'd go for "Questions in a world of blue" by Julie Cruise (from Twin Peaks - Fire walk with me). In that setting I reckon that would get everyone sobbing.

[*Bob*]

Jeremy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> How about the Puff Daddy version of Every Breath

> You Take? Simultaneously brings a tear to the eye

> and gets the booty shaking. Also reminds us that

> even when faced with the death of a friend,

> there's a few quid to be made if you're sharp

> enough.

Sting got the ker-CHING on that one. Diddy didn't get a look-in.

[Otta]

I am a man of constant sorrow...

Ooo ooo, (I just) died in your arms tonight. Perfect for anyone that dies whilst "on the job".

[Otta]

Surely Andy Summers would have deserved most of those royalties as it's the guitar riff that made it.

[*Bob*]

See above. Sting owns 100%.

[Jeremy]

The "artist" earns royalties as well as the songwriter, right? Then the bigger picture... all the albums he sold off the back of it, and the overall rise in his profile. I'm sure Puffy Diddly would have done very well out of it.

SJ maybe not picking up the intended sarcasm...

[Otta]

Sting really is about as unlikeable as they come in music. But anyway, back to funerals.

[StraferJack]

phew - glad it's my mistake

[*Bob*]

Jeremy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> The "artist" earns royalties as well as the

> songwriter, right? Then the bigger picture... all

> the albums he sold off the back of it, and the

> overall rise in his profile. I'm sure Puffy Diddly

> would have done very well out of it.

I'm sure - had Puffy known it would shift several million copies - his legals would have argued more agressively for a cut. Maybe Puffy will have that song played at his funeral? (Sting should still get the PPL on that as well though, naturally)

[david_carnell]

O'Death sung live, acapella, by Ralph Stanley. I reckon he might die first though.

In which case, I See A Darkness by Will Oldham.

That should get 'em going.

[Parkdrive]

Enjoy yourself - Prince Buster. Does it for me

[KalamityKel]

We chose a rather loud blasting version of Spirit in the Sky when scattering my Granddad's ashes into the furnace of a steam train... A word of advice when considering such a scattering, especially when in motion - ensure the windows on the carriage are closed!

The funeral itself contained the sombre yet peaceful/hopeful classical type selection upon arrival, Andrea Bocelli and Sara Brightman version of time to say goodbye for the emotional coffin descending into the ground in the crematorium and a good, extremely loud Royal Air Force recording of St Louis Blues March to be heard from the outside to the surrounding garden space for family exit.

[KidKruger]

Mine's Oh Death too, but by Dock Boggs. For me it's the obvious song.

[Alan Medic]

I thought Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep would be good for my Mum's, but alas I was outvoted.

[malumbu]

My funeral

Hurt by Johnnie Cash

Complete Control, The Clash

That as the curtain draws

On White Horses, by Jackie (the theme to the TV series "White Horses"

Mum went off to Follow Me, Follow You, by Genesis. As much as I don't like all that late 70s pomp rock, it was very touching.

A good friend went into the flames with the Dr Who theme, which after 1 1/2 hours of death and damnation in a high church ceremony was a relief.

My reserve would be Atmosphere, by Joy Division. Pretty Vacant could also be slotted in.

[Pickle]

At my brothers funeral we had Tom Petty's Free-Falling, some Johnny Cash, and the coffin was carried out to "Convoy", which raised a few smiles (he was a truck driver).

[Pickle]

And for me, I have a thing for John Denver's Calypso. Might have to document that one somewhere as I doubt my family and friends would think of it!