Choosing the Right Music for a Memorial
Service
Find out the most commonly requested
songs for a memorial service and make
your planning easier. It is important
to choose songs that resonate with the
family or were favorites of the departed
loved one. Listed below are favorite
pieces from many types of music to aid
you in your planning.
For the memorial service, funeral or
"celebration of life" service:
Choose favorite hymns or other pieces
that will minister to the spirit and
emotions of those attending. This can
include favorite classical, instrumental
or vocal pieces.
Here are songs that are most commonly
requested for solos or for
congregational singing:
The most commonly requested hymns for
Christian services are: Amazing Grace,
How Great Thou Art, The Lord's Prayer,
In the Garden, Old Rugged Cross, and It
is Well with My Soul.
The most commonly requested gospel songs
for Christian services are: Just a
Closer Walk with Thee, Precious Lord
Take My Hand, In the Sweet By and By,
When We All Get to Heaven, Beyond the
Sunset, and I'll Fly Away.
The most commonly requested songs for
Catholic services are: On Eagle's Wings,
Shepherd Me O God (Psalm 23), Be Not
Afraid, You are Mine, Ave Maria, The
Lord's Prayer, and Amazing Grace.
The most commonly requested secular
songs are: Wind Beneath My Wings, My
Heart Will Go On (Theme from Titanic),
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Time to Say
Goodbye, and I'll be Loving You Always.
The most commonly requested country
western songs are: One More Day (Diamond
Rio), Always (Dolly Parton), and
Angel(Sarah McLachlan).
For the visitation use non-obtrusive
classical and relaxing music so people
can easily converse without having to
speak loudly. This music can be
interspersed with favorite hymns or
other favorite songs. Usually
instrumental music will be used for the
visitation, but some vocal can work if
the family enjoys it, especially at
times when people are not conversing.
For the reception use light classical
music, waltzes, songs from musicals,
love songs and relaxing music. Using
music that is familiar to people helps
them feel relaxed. Again, the music
should be quiet enough so they can talk.
Finding the right musician(s):
1. Ask for a demo tape or ask to hear
them perform.
2. Pay attention to how their music
makes you feel. A poor voice or someone
lacking technical skill will often make
you feel tense or uneasy. The music of
an excellent musician will soothe you
and bring you a sense of peace.
If you are unable to afford live music,
consider harp or other acoustic music
that has a relaxed tempo.
With these tips you can use music for
the memorial day and in your memorial
service to bring peace and comfort to
everyone in attendance.
Karin Gunderson is fondly known as "the
singing harpist," in Phoenix, AZ where
she has performed for over 1000 memorial
services. Her calling in life is to
help others walk through their grief and
begin to heal their grief. Find her
therapeutic recordings, free resources
and community forums at:
http://www.healyourgriefsite.com
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Never had to plan a memorial service before? Almost every
family has to deal with it at sometime. This article offers
the most commonly requested songs for memorials, funerals
and "celebration of life" services.