Most of us know what wedding officiants do. They work with couples to design the perfect wedding ceremony and then conduct the proceedings. But did you know there are also funeral officiants—professionals who are trained to help plan and conduct funeral ceremonies? These experts are called Funeral Celebrants.

What does a Funeral Celebrant do?

Funeral Celebrants collaborate with the family to create a personalized ceremony that truly reflects the life of the person being memorialized. The celebrant gets to know the deceased by asking questions, listening to stories, and curating the information provided by the family. In designing the ceremony, they pay careful attention to the music, readings, poems, and rituals that are incorporated into the ceremony.

The Celebrant’s role during the ceremony is up to the family. In many cases, the Celebrant and family will divide the duties. For example, the Celebrant might give the eulogy and lead the songs while family members present readings and prayers.

How is a Funeral Director different from a Celebrant?

According to the National Funeral Director’s Association, the key duties of a funeral director include:

• Arranging for the removal of the deceased from the place of death
• Providing support to the bereaved during the initial stages of grief
• Preparing the body according to legal requirements and the wishes of the survivors
• Arranging and directing funeral ceremonies
• Securing information for legal documents, filing death certificates, and other legal papers
• Helping survivors when filing death benefits claims, as well as assisting them in adapting to their lives post-death

As you can see, that’s quite a broad portfolio of duties. That’s why the exact duties performed by a funeral director can vary depending on the funeral. This is especially true when it comes to acting as the funeral officiant. The funeral director may conduct the ceremony or work with a celebrant or officiant to perform the service.

The key role of a celebrant is to ensure that the funeral ceremony is personalized. Most are unaffiliated, that is to say, not directly employed by the funeral home. Their job is to focus on the funeral service or memorial ceremony. They are independent professionals who can conduct funerals at any location or within the funeral home. Unless they are also a funeral director, funeral celebrants do not handle body preparation or any of the specialized tasks that funeral directors are trained and certified to do.

Celebrants receive training and certification at organizations such as the Celebrant Foundation & Institute.

Can I use both a funeral director and a funeral celebrant?

Professional funeral celebrants are accustomed to working closely with funeral homes and are happy to do so. If you are using both, then generally, the funeral director will be responsible for transportation and care of the deceased and various organizational and administrative tasks while the celebrant takes care of the emotional and personal elements of the service. The choice between a funeral director and a funeral celebrant, or both, depends on your preferences, cultural or religious beliefs, and the specific needs of the funeral you are planning. It can also depend on regulations. When a burial is chosen, many states require that a funeral director be on hand throughout the process.

Traditional funerals where the casket is present almost always involve the services of a funeral director. If you are having the funeral at a place of worship, a clergy member will likely be involved. There are many options for where to hold memorial services because they can be held at any time following a burial or cremation. The services of a celebrant are an excellent choice for a memorial service to celebrate the life of the deceased.

What about religion?

Most celebrants are happy to design ceremonies that incorporate spiritual rituals. In fact, many clergy are also trained as celebrants.

A key reason that people like working with celebrants is that they focus on making the funeral ceremony extremely personal. If religion was important to the deceased, then, of course, it should be part of the ceremony. How active a celebrant is in conducting a funeral’s religious elements depends on your denomination. In many religions, only an ordained priest or minister can offer the rites.

So, back to the original question: Do you need both a funeral director and a funeral celebrant?

Fortunately, today, we have many options when it comes to handling funeral ceremonies. There is an important role for both the funeral director and a Professional celebrant. If your ceremony includes a funeral where the body is present, you will need the services of a funeral director. If you are having a memorial service rather than a funeral (the body is not present), then a Celebrant will be able to handle all the details.

>>Visit our Directory of Funeral Celebrants

>>Download our Guide to Using a Funeral Celebrant

>>Read: Using Funeral Celebrants

>>Read: Yes. Planning a Funeral is Like Planning a Wedding

Sources: NFDA Careers Page (https://nfda.org/careers)

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The life of a funeral celebrant is rewarding. It can also be highly challenging. Earlier this year, Celebrant Barry Slocombe found out just how challenging. He decided to share his experience with us so that we could get a peek behind the curtain and see just what life is like for a Celebrant. Here is his story:

In a unique set of circumstances, I was contacted on August 15 by a family member requesting an Inurnment and Celebration of Life service on September 16, 2021. As Celebrants, we usually have 3 – 5 days’ notice to prepare for a service. The preparation includes: meeting with the family, conducting research on prose, poetry, music, and prayers, creating the text and structure of the service, and securing family approval.  With 31 days to prepare for this service, I accepted with an enthusiastic “yes.”

As I mentioned, this service presented a unique set of circumstances to which my contact then explained the details. Four decedents from the same family had all died within the past 13 months. Due to Covid 19 service restrictions, the family could not hold individual services. While most Celebrants have dealt with Covid 19 related death services over the past 2+ years, this was not the case. Only one decedent had passed away due to Covid 19. The other three passed away from natural causes. However, with service restrictions now sufficiently lifted, the family felt it was appropriate to hold a single service for all four decedents. The relationship among the decedents was interesting–3 were biologically related, and the 4^th was previously married to one of the decedents.

My contact requested that the Inurnment service be held first, followed by the Celebration of Life service with about 45 guests attending. This was to be followed by a light lunch. Typically, a Celebration of Life or Memorial service is held first. The service will typically include family members and guests and is followed by the burial service of either a casket or urn. An Inurnment can involve placing the urn in a niche or a mausoleum. In this case, it was an inground Inurnment. This means the urns were placed in the ground at a designated site, much like a casket burial.

During the initial conversation with my contact, he inquired about my fee to handle the multiple services.  Because I had to give this some thought, as I had not conducted a service of this nature, I advised him that I would get back to him shortly. To determine the fee, I took my standard charge for a Celebration of Life and an Inurnment and multiplied it by 4. I applied a 20% discount to achieve a fee that I felt would be fair to the client yet profitable.

My fee was accepted. I advised him that I would require 50% of the fee at the family meeting, which was arranged for five days out. I do not ask for a partial payment when I initially meet with the family if I receive the service from a funeral director. The funeral home pays my fee after the service. I request 50% of my fee to be paid when the family contacts me directly.  In this situation, I was not only contacted directly, but the service was complex. So I felt my request was justified.

There are many essential components in creating the service. One that I feel is of the utmost importance is the “family meeting.” I meet with the family, usually 2 -5 members. A typical meeting lasts about an hour and a half. I prefer to meet the family representatives at their home as this is their “comfort zone.” They are likely to be more at ease than in a public space like the local Starbucks.

The Family Meeting

The family meeting consists of securing information about the loved one to create the service. I also assist them in creating an Order of Service, so the service flows smoothly and professionally. The Order of Service acts as a guide for the Funeral Directors. It advises them when to play music, start a video or slideshow presentation, and usher guests. At the family meeting, I also consult on poems, music, prayers, eulogies, mementos for the service, how they accept condolences from guests, etc. The final list can be lengthy depending on the family’s wants and needs.

For this service specifically, I decided to prepare a mock-up of the Inurnment service that I would present to my contact and family members during the family meeting. I included a Bible reading and two poems. The poems were great fun. As you know, poems usually refer to “him or her” and not “they,” which I needed to change and still make them rhyme. It was an interesting challenge, particularly on one poem, as I recall.

I have created a 38 question Service Planner that I use during family meetings. Using the planner allows me to secure the information I need to prepare the service. Since four lives were being celebrated, I revised the Service Planner and reduced the number of questions to 20. Each decedent’s immediate family member(s) would have the same questions, so they would all be treated equally in the telling of their loved one’s life story. I also prepared an Order of Service for both the Inurnment and the Celebration of Life. Armed with this and my music stand, I met with four family members, one family member for each decedent, and delivered my mock presentation to them in the living room of their home.

You may ask, ‘What is the significance of a music stand?’ While all funeral homes and event centers have a wooden podium, cemeteries do not. I feel it is more professional to have a stand to rest my service script rather than hold it. My script is organized in a binder rather than having loose or stapled pages.  When I attended the family meeting, I took the music stand with me for those reasons, and it gave the family a better idea of what to expect from me as the Celebrant.

We then set about determining what the families wanted to occur at the Inurnment, i.e., Who would place the urns? Was anyone going to speak? Etc. The family chose to have only family members attend the Inurnment service, and the Celebration of Life service included both family members and guests.

Fortunately, the four sites were located within 6 feet of each other, so we were not faced with traveling through the cemetery.   The Inurnments took place in the oldest cemetery in Vancouver, and members of the family had purchased the sites several decades ago.  Consequently, the decedents were placed beside several other family members inground.

When conducting a single Inurnment service, I use a white wooden stool to set the urn on so it has a place of honor at the service, rather than sitting on the ground.  However, in this case, the stool was not wide enough to handle four urns. I had to devise an alternative to accommodate the urns.  I used a 4-foot piece of wood, painted it white to match the stool, and secured it to the wooden surface of the stool.  It was solid and allowed for a more pleasing visual than being crowded together.

As part of planning for the Inurnment service, the family identified a member from each of the decedent’s immediate family who would place the urn.  We also made minor amendments to the Order of Service, made the final selection of 2 poems, Their Journeys’ Have Just Begun, and I Am There and two songs, Tears in Heaven and Over the Rainbow, and the reading of The Lord’s Prayer.

Creating a Personalized Service

Interestingly, this family had Hawaiian heritage. The Inurnment service would begin with playing a conch shell and reciting, in the native tongue of a beautiful Hawaiian poem about life, death, and ancestors. Not being familiar with this tradition, I researched the meaning and significance of a conch shell ceremony. I discovered that the blows of the conch shell symbolize the journey of the ancient Hawaiians and our own journey in that eternal moment. 

Conducting research and applying that research allows me to feel that I am part of the Celebration rather than an MC reading notes.  I have found, and have been told by families, that those touches of understanding and connection to the service are felt and appreciated.  Celebrants are presented with interesting issues at services ranging from cultural or heritage and even a family’s request that all guests will be wearing baseball caps, as the deceased was a ballplayer or hockey jerseys, for the deceased’s love of the game. 

It’s then a Celebrant’s responsibility to dig deeper into the decedent’s favorite team, a player who made a significant impact on their life and incorporate that into the service.  Celebrants must be flexible, creative, well-researched, and able to incorporate and accommodate the family’s wishes.  It makes for a far more personal, thoughtful, and memorable service for the family and friends of the decedent.

I was advised that I would be working with a sign language interpreter at the Celebration of Life, something I had not done before.  The family arranged the interpreter to accommodate the deaf guests. There were 11 deaf or hard of hearing guests, and two of them offered to give eulogies at the Celebration of Life.  As you can imagine, the sign language interpreter was invaluable as her “signing” allowed the deaf guests to understand what I was saying and allowed the two deaf eulogists to convey their message to all the other guests.  Again, this allowed and welcomed all guests to be part of the service.

As I’m sure you can appreciate by now, this service was unique and very interesting to undertake.  It was challenging to some degree and entailed a lot of work and coordination.

Final Preparations

After my initial meeting with the family and over the next two weeks, there was a flurry of emails and phone calls from various members of the four families.  This entailed writing four short eulogies, having the respective family member review their eulogy and make revisions. I was asked to deliver the eulogies on behalf of the family member at the Inurnment service.  In most circumstances, a family member or friend delivers the eulogy. But because the family members did not feel comfortable speaking in a public setting, I was asked to write and read the eulogy on behalf of the family member. There were also revisions and additions to the Celebration of Life service as new information was given to me.  

It was a lot of work, a little stressful at times, but very satisfying.  As I reflect on this opportunity that was presented to me, it was a very gratifying experience.  It entailed a lot of thought, effort and, at times, offered its challenges and tested my organizational abilities.  However, I received a sense of joy and satisfaction from handling it as I created and led a service for four decedents. 

When you are entrusted with organizing a Celebration for one decedent, you work with one family. In this situation, I had to consider the dynamics of working with four families.  How could I co-ordinate a service encompassing each family’s wishes yet deliver a service for four individual families that had flow and consistency?  By reducing the number of questions from 38 to 20, I garnered more specific information that was relatable to all decedents.  Another top-of-mind issue was the timing factor; what is an acceptable timeframe for each service, the Inurnment, and Celebration of Life?  I had to allow the same amount of time, or thereabouts, to each family and yet not have the services drag where the family and guests become anxious.  These issues, and more, had to be taken into consideration when planning the entire service.

After a long 13 months for these mourning families, losing four loved ones over a short period of time, and being unable to deliver them to their final resting place, a beautiful warm, sunny day welcomed family and friends to a very heartwarming Inurnment and Celebration of Life service.

A Note about the Author, Barry Slocombe

Barry Slocombe is a Professional Funeral Celebrant located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He became a Celebrant 5 years ago in 2016, following funeral home experience, broadcasting, and domestic and international public speaking engagements.

You can contact Barry at www.funeralcelebrantvancouver.com. 

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You may have seen the latest TV ads from a national funeral home chain. The spots feature a motorcycle-themed funeral, a lap around a track for an auto racing fan, and a disco party for a dance lover. These commercials are examples of some very unique final farewells and highlight a new focus on creating highly personalized funerals and memorial services.

Without a doubt, creating custom end-of-life ceremonies is one of the hottest trends in the funeral industry. We think that’s a great thing since one of the main reasons to have a funeral is to give our friends and family the chance to show their love and respect one last time. There’s no better way to do that than to let them share some of the things that make you unique.

Creating a memorial ceremony that doesn’t follow a traditional model requires some planning. The best way to make it a true reflection of your unique life is for you to be involved in the plan. You’ll also be giving a great gift to your loved ones since it won’t be left to them to guess at what you would want.

There are many ways to create a personalized funeral or celebration of life. Among the most common ways is to include videos, photos, or special music in the ceremony, but there is no right or wrong way. In the end, it’s entirely up to you. There is no reason why you can’t have any kind of ceremony you want.

If you’re having trouble thinking about the type of service you’d like to have, we can help. Our website is filled with information that will help guide you.

>>Read More About How to Personalize a Funeral
>>Download our Guide to Making Funeral Arrangements

USING FUNERAL MUSIC FOR PERSONALIZING A FUNERAL

You may be surprised to hear that among the most popular selections for funeral songs is Monty Python’s “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” While that may be unexpected, it proves the point that one of the best ways to add a personal touch to a funeral or memorial service is through the music that is played. These days, when it comes to choosing music, anything goes.

With so many options available, picking out a handful of favorites can be difficult. Our guide to selecting funeral music can help. It includes helpful tips as well as lists of good choices from a variety of genres.

>>LEARN MORE ABOUT MUSIC

FUNERAL OR CELEBRATION OF LIFE? IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?

When a loved one dies, we look for the perfect way to honor their life. We also want to give those left behind a way to say goodbye. Traditionally, society has turned to funeral services that are based on religious or cultural traditions as a way to pay tribute.

But times change. As the world has become more mobile and less connected to organized religion, we have turned to a less formal, more personalized approach to commemorating the lives of our loved ones. In recent years we have seen the increasing popularity of Celebrations of Life instead of traditional funerals.

>>READ ON…

5 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT BEING A FUNERAL CELEBRANT

Dedicating yourself to helping others plan end-of-life ceremonies is a labor of love. It’s a job that requires the ability to put yourself in your client’s shoes and be open to witnessing the pain and heartbreak that can come with death. Being a funeral officiant also offers the opportunity to help people navigate the difficult path through grief.

Those who take on the challenges of the job find it hugely rewarding. Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant Elaine Voci, Ph.D. recently shared her perspective on the being part of the vibrant Celebrant community.

>>I WANT TO KNOW MORE

HONORING ANIMALS WITH CEREMONY

Our animals are part of the family. So it’s no surprise that when it’s time to say goodbye it can be extremely difficult. For some people, having a ceremony to honor the life of a beloved furry friend that has passed away can offer the perfect way to honor our pet.

We had the pleasure of talking with Laura King, a Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant who specializes in conducting ceremonies for pets at all stages of life. Click on the button below to learn more about Laura and hear her unique point-of-view on holding services for pets.

>>GET TO KNOW LAURA

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Have you tried our online planner yet? Why not take a few minutes to do that today. Remember… the best time to plan a funeral is BEFORE you need it.

>>TRY THE PLANNER

Funeralwise.com is the place to go on the web for everything you need to know about funerals. Whether you are planning a funeral or attending one, we will provide you with straight-forward answers to your questions and step-by-step instructions to guide you on your way.

The post Making Funerals More Personal appeared first on Funeralwise.

So if you can’t imagine having that storybook wedding without doing the work on the front-end, why would you consider having your funeral that way? In truth, most people recognize the importance of funeral planning. A recent survey by the National Funeral Directors Association found that more than 62% of people feel it’s important to let their family know what they want for their funeral plans but less than 22% actually do it. In other words, we know we should create a funeral plan but we never get around to it.

Of course, thinking about planning a funeral can be hard. It forces us to confront our own mortality or the mortality of a loved one. Add that to the prospect of the actual planning part, and it can be pretty intimidating. But, believe it or not, planning your funeral can also be very rewarding. You are commemorating your ultimate life event and freeing your loved ones of the burden of trying to guess what you would want. As an added bonus, when you do your own planning you are in control. You can decide how much you want to spend, who you want to be there, and what type of celebration you want.

When you are ready to plan (Pro Tip: get started now!), you can take out a pad of paper and start making notes or take advantage of the online tools that are there to help. With the Funeralwise Wise Planning System Quick Plan, you can create a basic plan in less than 5 minutes. Once you save your Quick Plan you’ll be automatically upgraded to the Wise Plan Essentials. To see how the Quick Plan and the Wise Plan Essentials compare, click here. 

Wise Plan Essentials is a powerful step up from the Quick Plan. It gives you the ability to more finely tune your cost estimates, define the type of service you’d like, and store information for the people you’d like contacted in the case of your death. You can even request a final expense insurance quote.

So instead of thinking about funeral planning as a dreaded task. Think about it the way you would think about planning a wedding. To help get you in the right frame of mind, here are some of the ways that planning a funeral is just like planning a wedding.

10 Surprising Ways That Planning a Funeral is Just like Planning a Wedding

1. Both weddings and funerals commemorate key milestones in our lives.

A wedding celebrates a beginning, a funeral acknowledges an ending. Both are occasions where friends and family gather together to share an important event in someone’s life. The trend away from traditional funerals toward “Celebrations of Life” is an acknowledgment of this. Recognizing what made the deceased’s life unique is an important part of the mourning process.

2. They both require planning and lots of it.

One of the most common complaints about traditional funerals is that they are impersonal and cookie cutter. A “good” funeral is one that is personal and connects the ceremony to those who are mourning a loss. Creating this type of special event does not happen by chance. Instead, it takes some planning and thought. Planning a funeral doesn’t have to be a torturous task but rather, it is an opportunity to reflect on a life well-lived. When you remember the purpose of the funeral, ask for help if you need it, and engage others in the process, it can be extremely rewarding. Don’t forget to share your plans with a loved one so that when the time comes your family knows exactly what you want.

3. Weddings and funerals can be expensive and you’ll need to find a way to pay for them.

You don’t have to break the bank to have a meaningful funeral. Planning ahead is your best defense against the spending traps that can befall you or your loved ones when making decisions during an emotional time. A key step is setting a budget. A budget helps you evaluate how the cost of individual items will impact the amount you have in mind. Many people opt to purchase funeral insurance to ensure that there are funds to cover end-of-life expenses.

4. You’ll have lots of decisions to make.

Whether it’s a wedding or a funeral, you will have to make choices about a lot of things, both big and small. That can be a good thing because it gives you a lot of flexibility. Your funeral can be as simple or as elaborate as you like; go all out or keep it simple and stick to a modest budget. It’s entirely up to you. Planning ahead gives you the power to decide for yourself the type of burial (if you want one), service, and reception that is best for you.

5. You can get help both online and in-person.

A new and growing service for handling funeral arrangements is the Funeral Celebrant. These professionals operate much like wedding planners. They work with you to design a service that meets your goals and objectives. There are also online tools, like the Funeralwise Wise Planning System that let you record your wishes, estimate costs, and designate a trusted person to make sure your funeral is taken care of the way you want.

6. Those who care about you will have the chance to gather together to share memories.

Weddings and funerals give your friends and family the opportunity to gather together to share memories, stories, and remembrances. Whether it is a heartfelt toast or an emotional eulogy, those who care about you want the chance to participate and support each other. We are fond of saying that funerals are for the living. Of course, weddings are too! With so many families spread from place to place, it is more important than ever to offer those who are beginning the journey through grief, the chance to support each other.

7. Flowers, Music, and Readings!

There are many similarities between the elements of a wedding service and a funeral service. Both are replete with symbols like flowers and both make use of music, readings, poems, and scripture to convey messages about the occasion and the people who are being honored. Regardless of the type of ceremony you choose, there are numerous ways to incorporate both traditional and contemporary songs or texts. Funeralwise has many examples of funeral songs and funeral readings that can be used for inspiration.

8. It’s an emotional time (make decisions wisely).

Both weddings and funerals can mean big money. The best thing you can do is to try to make your buying decisions dispassionately and with your budget in mind. In both cases, planning ahead can make it much easier to shop around, consider your choices, and decide what you really need to create the kind of ceremony you have in mind. You may not be able to avoid the big-ticket items but it is possible to keep costs under control.

9. The “right” rituals will depend on your religion and culture.

Chances are the ceremony you envision is based in large part on the traditions of your religion, culture, and family. There are many resources available that can help you decide which elements are appropriate. In most cases, it is perfectly acceptable to mix traditional and modern elements. Your celebrant, funeral director, or clergy member can help guide you in determining what is appropriate in your particular circumstance.

10. What makes a good one is that it fits the personality of the person(s) being celebrated.

If you’ve ever been to a “good” wedding then you know that there was something that made it just a little bit different and it was likely unique to the individuals who were being honored. The same is true for funerals. A “good” funeral pays tribute to the person who has passed and reflects his or her personality. The section of our website that covers Celebrations of Life is rich with information on how you can personalize your funeral or the funeral of a loved one.

The hardest part of planning a funeral is getting started. But diving in and getting your thoughts down is well worth it. Once you do, you can rest assured that your funeral plan is done in a way that is special, affordable, and memorable. You’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your loved ones will know exactly what you wanted.

The post Yes, planning a funeral really is just like planning a wedding. appeared first on Funeralwise.

A funeral or memorial service is a reflection of your cultural, spiritual, and religious beliefs. It also reflects the personality of the deceased and the loved ones who are planning the service. As such, every funeral is unique. However, some elements of a funeral are common to most memorial services and funerals.

Whether or not certain elements will be included and the order in which the elements are presented depends on personal preference. However, if you plan a funeral, the list can help you decide what elements to include. You are not limited to these components, and you are not required to include them all.

Elements of a Funeral

Visitation

A visitation is an event that takes place before the funeral. It is an opportunity for the family, friends, and others who knew the deceased to gather together. It also gives mourners the chance to express their condolences to the family. The visitation often takes place the day before the funeral or just before the funeral.

Visitations are commonly held at the funeral home or church; however, they may also be held at the family home or some other appropriate venue. There may or may not be a viewing of the body held in association with the visitation.

Check out our Collection of Memorial Programs and Printed Memorial Products.

Music

Throughout history, music has played an important part in marking life events. The same is true for funeral music. Music is one of those elements of a funeral that helps us embrace our loss, deal with our feelings of sadness, and begin the journey of working through our grief. Funeral music also helps to set the tone for the service. If, for example, the service will be religious, then traditional hymns and spiritual music are appropriate. If the tone is joyous, then upbeat selections may work. Music can also be used to personalize the service. The deceased’s favorite song will invoke certain memories for the loved ones. You have many options when it comes to selecting music. Anything within the bounds of good taste can be appropriate. 

For a selection of songs for funerals visit our Funeral Music Page.

Readings

Like music, funeral readings offer us the chance to express our feelings about the loss of our loved one. Most funerals and memorial services have two or three readings, but there are no set rules. There are few limits to the type of readings. It is not uncommon to see poetry and song lyrics along with biblical passages. The point is, you are honoring someone you have lost, and you are expressing how you feel about the loss. Any passage that is tasteful and appropriate can be used regardless of the genre.

Learn more about funeral readings.

The Eulogy

The eulogy is a speech given by a friend, associate, or family member to honor the deceased’s life. The eulogy may also be delivered by a clergy member, officiating the ceremony or a funeral celebrant. A well prepared and delivered eulogy will evoke memories of the person who has died and offers comfort and joy to those in attendance. You are not limited to one eulogy. It is not uncommon to see services with as many as three. If you do opt for multiple eulogies, they should be kept brief.

Symbols

Psychologists and experts in understanding grief, often refer to the importance of symbols in helping us express our feelings. Both religious and secular symbols are a common part of funerals and memorial services. Which symbols are used as part of the service will depend on your cultural and spiritual beliefs. Flowers, candles, angels, and crosses are examples of symbols that evoke feelings among those who are in mourning. 

Memories

The funeral or memorial service is the perfect way to honor your loved one by having those who cared about him or her share memories. In fact, incorporating memories is a very effective way to personalize the service. You may ask that those close to the deceased share a special memory or speak about your loved one in addition to the eulogy. You may also display photographs or a tribute video. There are many ways you can incorporate memories into the service. Whatever works for your family and fits with your spiritual and cultural beliefs will be appropriate.

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Committal Service

The committal service is a ritual element of the service where the deceased’s remains are committed to their final disposition. The ritual is often religious, but it does not have to be. The committal service may take place at the graveside, funeral chapel, or some other appropriate location. In the cremation case, the committal may take place at the crematorium, funeral home, or chapel. If you would like to include a committal service, your clergy or the funeral director can help guide you on the appropriate prayer or reading to include.

After-Funeral Reception

Many people choose to hold a reception following the funeral. Your options are limited only by your budget and your imagination. The reception’s purpose is to give people a chance to gather together in a casual atmosphere to share memories of the deceased, catch up with friends and family members, and support each other in their grief. The reception does not have to be elaborate. For some, catering works well. For others, reaching out to friends and family to request food items is more practical. In any case, you are not expected to provide a full meal unless you want to. The reception will often be held at a family home, in a room at the funeral home, or on church grounds.

Learn About Funeral Food

The above are the most common elements of a funeral or memorial service. You should not feel limited by them. Some more modern services, for example, include an activity such as a balloon release or some other commemorative event. Certain religions prescribe activities such a the Catholic funeral Mass. In any case, if you keep in mind the purpose of the event, you are certain to design a funeral or memorial service that honors the deceased and gives those he or she left behind a chance to begin the grieving process.

The post Elements of a Funeral or Memorial Service appeared first on Funeralwise.

Choosing the right classical songs for a funeral is a personal choice. Since there are pieces ranging from haunting to uplifting it’s entirely up to you. You can also decide how you would like the music to be presented—should it be prerecorded or live? If you choose live music, would you prefer it be orchestral, chamber, or some other style?

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules for what music you can choose when selecting classical songs for funerals. It is perfectly acceptable to use classical songs exclusively or to mix your classical selections with music from other genres. The important thing is that you select songs that respect the person you are honoring, reflect the mood and tone you would like to set, and express the sentiments you are trying to convey.

>> Creating a Celebration of Life

14 Popular Classical Songs for Funerals

Adagio In G Minor–Albinoni
Ave Maria–Giuseppe Verdi
Canon in D Major–Pachelbel
Clair de Lune–Debussy
Funeral March (from Piano Sonata No 2)–Chopin
Greensleeves–Many Versions
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring–Bach

Largo (from Xerxes)–Handel
Moonlight Sonata–Beethoven
Nimrod from Enigma Variations–Elgar
Pie Jesu–Gabriel Faure
Rejoice In The Lord Always–Purcell
Sheep May Safely Graze–Bach
The Four Seasons–Vivaldi

 

More Popular Classical Songs for Funerals
Adagio for Strings Barber	God Be In My Head Rutter	Prelude No. 1 in C Major Bach
Adagio from Toccata and Fugue in D minor Bach	Going Home from (New World Symphony) Dvorak	Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun Debussy
Adagio from Piano Sonata No 8 Beethovan	Gymnopedie No 3 Satie	Promenade (from Pictures at an Exhibition) Mussorgsky
Agnus Dei, Adagio For Strings Barber	Hallelujah Chorus (from The Messiah) Handel	Requiem Mozart
Air (from Suite No. 3 in D) Bach	He Shall Feed His Flock (from The Messiah) Faure	Requiem Aeternam Verdi
Air from Water Music Handel	How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings Fair Brahms	Requiem Aeternam (from Requiem) Faure
Air on a G String Bach	I Know That My Redeemer Liveth Handel	Reverie Debussy
Allegra (from Water Music) Handel	I Waited For The Lord Mendelssohn	Salut d’Amour Elgar
Alleluia (from Exultate Jubilate) Mozart	In Paradisum (from Requiem) Faure	Sanctus (from Requiem) Mozart
Angels’ Farewell (from the Dream of Gerontius) Elgar	La cathédrale engloutie Claude Debussy	Soave Sia Il Vento (from Cosi Fan Tutte) Mozart
Ave Verum Corpus Elgar	Lacrimosa (from Requiem) Mozart	Song For Athene Tavener
Ave Verum Corpus Mozart	Lark Ascending Vaughan Williams	Song Of The Reaper (from Album for the Young) Schumann
Beati Quorum Via Stanford	Last Post Traditional Bugle Call	Songs Without Words Op 102 No 6 Faith Mendelssohn
Benedictus (from The Armed Man) Jenkins	Laudate Dominum Mozart	Songs Without Words Op 85 No 2 The Adieu Mendelssohn
Blessed Jesu, We Are Here Bach	Libera, Glory To Thee Tallis	Sortie in E Flat for Organ Lefebure
Bogoroditse Devo Rachmaninoff	Lord Is My Shepherd Schubert	St John’s Passion – Ruht Wohl (Rest Well) Bach
Cantata No. 208 Sheep May Safely Graze Bach	Mass for Four voices – Agnus Dei Byrd	String Quintet in C Major Schubert
Chanson De Matin Elgar	Music For The Funeral Of Queen Mary Purcell	Symphony No 1, 3rd Movement Mahler
Chanson Triste Tchaikovsky	Nessun Dorma (from Turandot) Puccini	Symphony No 3 Extract (for Organ Manuals) Saint-Saens
Chorale Preludes, Fugues and Fantasias Bach	Nulla In Mundo Pax Sincera Vivaldi	Symphony No 5, 4th Movement Mahler
Con te Partiro Andrea Bocelli	O For The Wings Of A Dove (from Hear My Prayer) Mendelssohn	Symphony No 7 in A, 2nd Movement Beethoven
Dance of the Blessed Spirits Gluck	O Magnum Mysterium Morten Lauridsen	Symphony no. 9 – Largo Dvorak
Dead March (from Saul) Handel	O Mia Babbino Caro (from Gianni Schicchi) Puccini	Tallis Fantasia Vaughan Williams
Death and the Maiden Schubert	Oh for the Wings of a Dove Mendelssohn	Third Mode Melody Tallis
Dido’s Lament (from Dido and Aeneas) Purcell	Organ Sonata No 1 Op 42 Pastorale Guilmant	Toccata from Symphony No 5 Widor
Enigma Variations Elgar	Panis Angelicus Rutter	Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C Bach
Farewell to Stromness Maxwell Davies	Pavane Faure	Two Sunsets Einaudi
Four Last Songs Strauss	Pavane for a Dead Princess Ravel	Un Bel Di Vedremo (from Madame Butterfly) Puccini
Funeral Ikos Tavener	Piano Concerto No 21, ‘Elvira Madigan’ Mozart	Vissi D’Arte (from Tosca) Purcell
Funeral Sentences Purcell	Piano in A Minor Tchaikovsky	Vitava (Second of 6 Symphonic Poems) Smetana
Fur Elise Beethoven	Prelude No 15 ‘The Raindrop’ Chopin	Where E’er You Walk (from Semele) Handel
Gnossienne No 1 for Piano Satie	Prelude No 6 & 7 Chopin

As with any other music you select, you must follow copyright law when playing classical songs for funerals and the rules for music that is piped in may be different than for that used in a slide show or video. Most funeral homes have arrangements with the top music licensing agencies and can legally provide you with music from the above lists, but be sure to talk with your funeral director to ensure that you can legally use the songs before making your final choices.

The post Classical Songs for a Funeral Service appeared first on Funeralwise.

]]> Violin head on sheet music https://www.funeralwise.com/celebration-of-life/music/pop-rock/ https://www.funeralwise.com/celebration-of-life/music/pop-rock/#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:55:57 +0000 https://www.funeralwise.com/plan/ceremony/music/pop-rock/ Popular Selections for Funeral Songs

Note: When available, links are provided to listen to and download digital versions of suggested songs (in MP3 format) from Amazon.com. The typical price per download is 89&#162 to 99&#162.

Many singers have become icons. As a consequence it is fitting to express a particular generation with one of their hits. Here are a few to consider.

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Gone are the days when the only appropriate songs for funerals were hymns and classical pieces. Today, pop-rock and contemporary music can very tastefully be woven into the funeral ceremony. The trouble is, with so many choices how do you select the right pop-rock songs for funerals? There are really no rules when it comes to choosing funeral songs but you do need to keep in mind the feelings of those who will be attending. As long as you stick to the bounds of good taste and are certain that music would be appreciated by the deceased, you can choose the perfect pop-rock songs for funerals.

There are really no rules when it comes to choosing funeral songs but you do need to keep in mind who will be attending and that it will be a sensitive time for them. As long as you stick to the bounds of good taste and more modern music would be appreciated by the deceased, you can choose the perfect pop-rock songs for funerals.

>>Creating a Celebration of Life

There are hundreds of pop-rock songs for a funeral and it can take some time to go through the many lists that are available. We’ve included the most popular selections below. Your best bet is to listen carefully to the words of the songs you are considering. Sometimes the lyrics aren’t quite what we remember them to be. If the deceased enjoyed listening to contemporary music you can get ideas on his or her favorites by looking through their personal collection. You can also get advice from friends and family.

Popular Pop Rock Songs Appropriate for Memorials and Funerals

Angels–Robbie WilliamsBecause You Loved Me –Celine Dion (Glee cover) Blackbird–Paul McCartney (Leah West cover) Bridge Over Troubled Waters–Simon & Garfunkel Candle in the Wind–Elton John (Ed Sheeran cover) Dance With My Father Again–Luther Vandross (Cover) Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me—Strait No Chaser/Elton John Fields of Gold–Sting Golden Slumbers–The Beatles Hallelujah –Jeff Buckley I Will Always Love You –Whitney Houston In The Arms Of An Angel–Sarah McLachlan

Landslide–Dixie Chicks Let It Be–Paul McCartney Morning Has Broken–Cat Stevens Rainbow–Kacy Musgrove Sounds of Silence–Simon & Garfunkel (Kenny G cover) Tears in Heaven–Eric Clapton Up Where We Belong –Joe Cocker, Jennifer Warner Wild Horses–The Rolling Stones Wildflowers–Tom Petty Without You–Mariah Carey You Raise Me Up–Josh Groban You’ve Got a Friend –James Taylor

>> See Creating a Celebration of Life

No list of pop-rock songs for funerals is complete without a selection of songs by the Beatles. Below are some of the classics which would be appropriate for a funeral. There may be more, these are among the most popular.

The Beatles/Paul McCartney/John Lennon/Ringo Starr
All You Need Is Love	Little Willow
Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)	Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Good Day Sunshine (The Beatles)	Never Without You
Here Comes the Sun	The Long and Winding Road (Paul McCartney)
Hey, Jude	There are Places I’ll Remember
Imagine	With A Little Help From My Friends
In My Life	Yesterday

Recent performances notwithstanding, Maria Carey is still one of the world’s most amazing vocalists. Because her songs evoke emotion and passion, they are popular choices for pop-rock songs for funerals.

Mariah Carey
Butterfly	Never Too Far Away
Bye Bye	One Sweet Day
Hero	I’ll Be There
Never Forget You

More Popular Pop Rock Songs for Funerals and Memorials
A Day Without Rain, If I Could Be Where You Are, May It Be, Only Time Enya	Fly, My Heart Will Go On Celine Dion	Lean on Me Bill Withers	Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Diana Ross	Flying Without Wings Westlife	Life is Eternal Carly Simon	Stand by Me Ben E. King
Aloha ‘Oe, Ka Makani Ka’ili Aloha The Brothers Cazimero	For the Good Times, Loving Her Was Easier Kris Kristofferson	Longer Dan Fogelberg	Standing Right Next To Me Karla Bonoff
An Ending Brian Eno	Forever Young Rod Stewart	Look On Down From The Bridge Mazzy Star	Stop All The Clocks Nemo Shaw
And When I Die Blood, Sweat & Tears	Freebird Lynard Skynyrd	Many Rivers to Cross Jimmy Cliff	Summer Rain Brenda Carlisle
Angels in Waiting Tommy Cochrane	Goin’ Back Dusty Springfield	Missing You Brandy/Gladys Night	Take My Breath Away Berlin
As Long As I Can See The Light Creedence Clearwater Revival	Going Home Mary Fahl	Morning Bird The Sleepy Jackson	Talking to my Angel Melissa Etheridge
Baby Mine Bette Midler	Goodbye My Friend Linda Ronstadt	My Heart Will Go On Celine Dion	Thank You for Loving Me Bon Jovi
Back Home Again, When the River Meets the Sea John Denver	Goodbye My lover James Blunt	My Last Breath, My Immortal Evanescence	The Flame Cheap Trick
Bang the Drum Slowly Emmylou Harris	Goodnight My Angel, Lullabye, Only the Good Die Young, She’s Got a Way Billy Joel	Never Tear Us Apart INXS	The Last Waltz Engelbert Humperdink
Beautiful Day U2	Have I Told You Lately Rod Stewart or Van Morrison	No One But You Queen	The Time of Your Life Green Day
Blessed, Funeral For A Friend, Candle in the Wind Elton John	Heaven Sent Cindy Marro	Nothing compares to you Sinead O’Connor	Three Times A Lady Lionel Richie
Blowin’ In The Wind, Every Grain of Sand, Knocking on Heaven’s Door Bob Dylan	He’s My Son Mark Schultz	Ode To My Family The Cranberries	Time to Say Goodbye Brightman & Bocelli
Borrowed Angels Kristin Chenoweth	Home Daughtry	Precious Child Karen Taylor	To Where You Are Josh Groban
Both Sides Now Judy Collins	Home Michael Buble	Really Gonna Miss You Smokey Robinson	Try Not To Breathe R.E.M.
Calling All Angels Grace Griffith	How Far is Heaven Los Lonely Boys	Remember Christmas Harry Nillson	Turn, Turn, Turn The Birds
Change The World Eric Clapton	I Can See Clearly Now Johnny Nash	Remembering You Steven Curtis Chapman	Unchained Melody Righteous Brothers
Child of Mine, So Far Away Carole King	I Feel Like Going Home Muddy Waters	Right Here Waiting Richard Marx	Until I see you again Wiz Kalifa
Close to You The Carpenters	I’ve Had The Time Of My Life Jennifer Warner and Bill Medley	Run to Paradise Choirboys	Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) Don McLean
Come on Up to the House Tom Waits	I’ll Be Missing You P. Diddy, Faith Evans	Sand and Water Beth Nielsen Chapman	Wayfaring Stranger Eva Cassidy
Come Sail Away Styx	I’ll Remember Madonna	Seasons in the Sun Terry Jacks	Where Have All the Flowers Gone Peter Paul & Mary
Death Letter Blues Son House	If I Fall Behind Bruce Springsteen	She’s Gone Daryl Hall & John Oates	Who Knew Pink
Deliver Me, Who Wants to Live Forever Sarah Brightman	In The Blink of An Eye Mercy Me	Shine Your Light Robbie Robertson	Wildflower Color Me Badd
End of the Line Travelling Wilburys	Into The Mystic Van Morrison	Simply the Best Tina Turner	Wish You Were Here Pink Floyd
Everything I Own, If Bread	Jealous of the Angels Jenn Bostic	Since I Lost You Genesis	Wishing You Were Here, You’re The Inspiration Chicago
Farewell my friend Dennis Wilson	Joy To The World Three Dog Night	So long Marianne Leonard Cohen	You Are So Beautiful To Me Joe Cocker
Father and Son, Morning Has Broken, Oh Very Young Cat Stevens	Keep Me in Your Heart Warren Zevon	Softly as I Leave You Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams	You Are The Sunshine of My Life Stevie Wonder
Fire and Rain, Fire and Rain, You Can Close Your Eyes James Taylor	Last Kiss Pearl Jam	Spirit in the Sky Norman Greenbaum	You’re Missing Bruce Springsteen

As with any other music you select, you must follow copyright law when playing pop-rock songs for funerals and the rules for music that is piped in may be different than for that used in a slide show or video. Most funeral homes have arrangements with the top music licensing agencies and can legally provide you with music from the above lists, but be sure to talk with your funeral director to ensure that you can legally use the songs before making your final choices.

The post Pop Rock Songs for a Funeral Service appeared first on Funeralwise.

]]> https://www.funeralwise.com/celebration-of-life/music/pop-rock/feed/ 0 iStock-546771814-400×260-1 https://www.funeralwise.com/celebration-of-life/music/other/ https://www.funeralwise.com/celebration-of-life/music/other/#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:53:38 +0000 https://www.funeralwise.com/plan/ceremony/music/other/ Other Artists & Selections for Funeral Songs

Note: When available, links are provided to listen to and download digital versions of suggested songs (in MP3 format) from Amazon.com. The typical price per download is 99&#162.

The post Traditional Songs for a Funeral Service appeared first on Funeralwise.

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With so many choices available, turning to traditional songs for funerals can make things less stressful. These are songs that are tried and true and part of our culture. These songs might be those described as being part of the great American songbook or they may be referred to simply as “classics”. They are familiar to most of us and almost always evoke some type of memory. Traditional songs for funerals are not just popular for memorializing a loved one, they are timeless classics that have been recorded dozens of times. As such, you have many choices of versions to select. Amazing Grace, for example, has been covered dozens of times–from instrumental to chorale. The version you select is entirely up to you.

>>Creating a Celebration of Life

Be sure to look through all the lists we have provided when you are designing your service. You might be surprised by how many songs you had forgotten. And remember, there are no rules for selecting funeral music. As long as you choose music that is respectful and honors the person you are memorializing you can design the perfect soundtrack.

13 Popular Traditional Songs for Funerals

Amazing Grace–Many Versions Available O Danny Boy–Many Versions Available I Will Remember You –Sarah McLachalan I’ll See You Again–Frank Sinatra Moonlight Serenade–Glenn Miller My Way–Frank Sinatra Send in the Clowns–Judy Collins

Smile–Nat King Cole The Prayer–Celine Dion and Josh Groban Unforgettable–Nat King Cole We’ll Meet Again–Vera Lynn What A Wonderful World–Louis Armstrong Wind Beneath My Wings –Bette Midler

 

More Traditional Songs for Funerals
A Blossom Fell Nat King Cole	Someone to Watch Over Me Barbra Streisand
All things Bright and Beautiful Alexander	Somewhere Over the Rainbow Judy Garland
America the Beautiful U.S. Army Field Band & Soldier’s Chorus	Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World Isreal Kamamawiwo’ole
Angel Sarah McLachlan	Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year Ella Fitzgerald
Autumn Leaves Roger Williams	The Last Words You Said Sarah Brightman
Beyond the Sea Bobby Darin	They Can’t Take That Away from Me Ella Fitzgerald
Beyond The Sunset (Should You Go First) George Younce	Those Were the Days Mary Hopkins
I’ll Be Seeing You Glenn Miller	Till There Was You Barbara Cook
I’ll Remember April Frank Sinatra	Time to Say Goodbye Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
It Was A Very Good Year Frank Sinatra	Times of Your Life Paul Anka
Nature Boy Nat King Cole	Turn Around Paul Anka
On Eagle Wings Michael Crawford	When the Saints Go Marching In Louis Armstrong
September Song Jimmy Durante

As with any other music you select, you must follow copyright law when playing traditional songs for funerals and the rules for music that is piped in may be different than for that used in a slide show or video. Most funeral homes have arrangements with the top music licensing agencies and can legally provide you with music from the above lists, but be sure to talk with your funeral director to ensure that you can legally use the songs before making your final choices.

The post Traditional Songs for a Funeral Service appeared first on Funeralwise.

]]> https://www.funeralwise.com/celebration-of-life/music/other/feed/ 0 iStock-477958335-400×260-1 https://www.funeralwise.com/celebration-of-life/music/country/ https://www.funeralwise.com/celebration-of-life/music/country/#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:51:28 +0000 https://www.funeralwise.com/plan/ceremony/music/country/ Country Western Selections for Funeral Music

Note: When available, links are provided to listen to and download digital versions of suggested songs (in MP3 format) from Amazon.com. The typical price per download is 99&#162.

Just as rock ’n roll is finding its way into funeral services, so too
are country tunes. Many of these have less to do with the grieving process
than describing the life of the deceased. Some country singers also have
roots in gospel.

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When we think of funeral songs, country music may not immediately come to mind. But, as our desire to personalize funeral services has grown, so too has our willingness to stray from conventional song choices. This means that selecting country music songs for funeral services can be a perfect solution, particularly if the person you are honoring listened to this genre of music.

One of the hallmarks of country music is its ability to tell the story of a life. It can also be extremely personal and emotional. While these songs may not have much to do with the grieving process, they can describe the life of the deceased or evoke memories that will help those who are mourning work through their grief. Many country singers have their roots in spiritual and gospel, which can add an additional element to the selections.

As when choosing any funeral songs, you want to make sure that your selections reflect the life of the deceased and are appropriate in expressing how you and your loved ones feel about the person you have lost. A song that might be appropriate for a younger man may not be quite right for an older woman. Be sure to listen to the lyrics all the way through to make sure that the song sends the right message.

>> Creating a Celebration of Life

20 Popular Country Music Songs for Funeral Services

When it comes to choosing country music songs for funeral services you have many choices. Below are some of the songs that are popular country music selections for funerals and memorial services. Most of these songs are by well-known artists and are readily available.

Angels Among Us–Alabama Bless the Broken Road–Rascal Flatts Daddy’s Hands–Holly Dunn Drink a Beer–Luke Bryan God Only Cries–by Diamond Rio God’s Will–Martina McBride Holes in the Floor of Heaven–Steve Wariner How Can I Help You Say Goodbye–Patty Lovelass How do I live without You–Trisha Yearwood If Heaven–Andy Griggs

If Tomorrow Never Comes–Garth Brooks I Believe–Diamond Rio Nobody Knows it but Me–Kevin Sharp One More Day–Diamond Rio The Dance–Garth Brooks There You’ll Be–Faith Hill When I Get to Where I’m Going–Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton You Should Be Here–Cole Swindell You’re Gone–Diamond Rio

More Country Music Songs for Funeral Services
A Picture of Me Without You Lorrie Morgan	Just A Dream Carrie Underwood	Sissy’s Song Alan Jackson
Angels Among Us Alabama	If You’re Going Through Hell Rodney Atkins	Streets of Heaven Sherrie Austin
Arlington Trace Adkins	If You’re Reading This Tim McGraw	Sunshine on My Shoulders John Denver
Believe Brooks & Dunn	I’m Already There Lonestar	Tell Me I Was Dreaming Travis Tritt
Clouds Montgomery Gentry	In Color Jamey Johnson	Temporary Home Carrie Underwood
Come Some Rainy Day Wynonna Judd	In My Daughter’s Eyes Martina McBride	Tenderly Calling John Denver
Country roads take me home John Denver	Last Day of My Life Phil Vassar	The Baby Blake Shelton
Don’t Blink Kenny Chesney	Life Ain’t Always Beautiful Gary Allan	The Best I Ever Had Gary Allan
Heaven Was Needing A Hero Joe Dee Messina	Life Is A Highway Tom Cochrane	The Good Stuff Kenny Chesney
Help Pour out the Rain Buddy Jewell	Life Without You Stevie Ray Vaughn	The Wings That Fly Us Home John Denver
Heroes Paul Overstreet	Looking Through Your Eyes LeAnn Rimes	There Goes My Life Kenny Chesney
I Can Only Imagine Mercy Me	Love, Me Collin Raye	Through the years Kenny Rogers
I Can’t Write That Jeff Bates	Mama Was a Lot Like Jesus Jeff Bates	Two Teardrops Steve Wariner
I Won’t Let You Go Rascal Flatts	Moments Emerson Drive	Unchained Johnny Cash
I’m Moving On Rascal Flatts	My Little Girl Tim McGraw	Wayfaring Stranger Johnny Cash
I’m No Stranger To The Rain Keith Whitley	My Wish Rascal Flatts	What Hurts the Most Rascal Flatts
If I Die Young The Band Perry	Painters Jewel	When A Hero Falls Stephen Cochran
If I Don’t Make Back Tracy Lawrence	People Are Crazy Billy Currington	Who You’d Be Today Kenny Chesney
If I Had Only Known Reba McEntire	Pilgrim Steve Earle	You Never Know Darryl Worley
If Something Should Happen Darryl Worley	River of Time The Judds	You’re Gone Diamond Rio
If You Get There Before I Do Collin Raye	Riverbank Jeff Bates	You’ll Be There George Strait

As with any other music you select, you must follow copyright law when playing country songs for funerals and the rules for music that is piped in may be different than for that used in a slide show or video. Most funeral homes have arrangements with the top music licensing agencies and can legally provide you with music from the above lists, but be sure to talk with your funeral director to ensure that you can legally use the songs before making your final choices.

The post Country Music Songs for a Funeral Service appeared first on Funeralwise.

]]> https://www.funeralwise.com/celebration-of-life/music/country/feed/ 0 iStock-820253508-400×260-1 https://www.funeralwise.com/celebration-of-life/music/christian/ https://www.funeralwise.com/celebration-of-life/music/christian/#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:48:59 +0000 https://www.funeralwise.com/plan/ceremony/music/christian/ Christian Selections for Funeral Music

Note: When available, links are provided to listen to and download digital versions of suggested songs (in MP3 format) from Amazon.com. The typical price per download is 89&#162 to 99&#162.

Certain religious songs have become standards at Christian funerals.

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Funeral songs and music are intended to honor the deceased and bring comfort to those who are grieving. For many, spiritual and inspirational songs for a funeral service offer exactly that combination. That is particularly true for those who led their lives in a highly spiritual or religious way.

Historically, spiritual songs for funerals were confined to hymns that would be sung primarily during religious services. These days, the variety of available music is much broader and includes subgenres such as contemporary Christian music. In fact, there are many beautiful music selections that have their basis in religious values but are not necessarily “church” songs. These range from traditional gospel or hymns by artists such as Elvis Presley to contemporary songs by artists such as Mercy Me.

For many people choosing a mix of traditional hymns to provide the comfort of familiarity, along with newer music that is uplifting and inspirational is the perfect solution. It is quite acceptable to combine spiritual music with more secular choices. So, the only right way to develop the soundtrack for the funeral you are planning is the way that works best for you or for the deceased.

>> Creating a Celebration of Life

Because there are so many beautiful selections to choose from, we have compiled a list of some of the most widely used inspirational songs for a funeral. For some of the most classic, such as Amazing Grace, there are dozens of versions available. If you are working with a funeral celebrant or funeral home, they can help you find a version that appeals to you.

14 Popular Spiritual Songs for Funerals

More Popular Spiritual Songs for Funerals 

As with any other music you select, you must follow copyright law when playing Spiritual songs for funerals and the rules for music that is piped in may be different than for that used in a slide show or video. Most funeral homes have arrangements with the top music licensing agencies and can legally provide you with music from the above lists, but be sure to talk with your funeral director to ensure that you can legally use the songs before making your final choices.

The post Spiritual and Inspirational Songs for a Funeral Service appeared first on Funeralwise.