Amid sorrow, funeral music has the power to heal and offer solace to the bereaved.
Funerals provide comfort and closure for the bereaved while honoring the life of the departed. Incorporating musical elements into this important ritual can touch our hearts in a way that nothing else can. It connects us with our deepest emotions and conveys feelings that words alone cannot.
In this article, we have compiled seven tips to help you select the perfect funeral music for your loved one’s final farewell.
1. A wide variety of music can have a place in an end-of-life service.
Songs representing religious traditions, popular music, and special instrumentals can all be appropriate. Some common examples include:
- Favorites of the departed: Selecting music that was meaningful to the one who passed on is a highly personalized way to honor their legacy. No matter what style or genre of music your loved one preferred, there are suitable, tasteful ways to incorporate it into the funeral proceedings.
- Religious songs: Traditional musical selections from a particular faith can be comforting and moving for many people. Your clergyperson will likely have suggestions about songs to incorporate into the service. Formal guidelines about which musical selections are appropriate may also be helpful.
- Cultural music: Music is closely tied to important rituals in all cultures and has been incorporated into memorials for thousands of years. In the African American culture, gospel and spiritual music are longstanding funeral traditions, offering comfort and a sense of hope through powerful, uplifting melodies. Similarly, in many Latino communities, traditional songs like mariachi, boleros, or rancheras are often chosen for their ability to evoke feelings of love, loss, and remembrance.
2. Give careful thought to how the musical selections may impact mourners.
From the song choices to the order in which they are played, music can have a deep impact on the grief-stricken. For example, songs of sorrow may be best early in the service, songs of remembrance in the middle, and songs with a message of hope toward the end.
3. Don’t rule out more lighthearted selections.
Uplifting songs can change the entire mood of a memorial service. Often the decision to incorporate this type of non-traditional song into a service is dictated by the personality of the departed and the circumstances of their passing. The goal should be to make choices that are poignant without being distasteful.
4. Live music can be particularly powerful.
To include live music performed by family, friends, or other people who were meaningful to the deceased can be very potent. Live performances should be arranged in advance so that you can discuss what songs would be most appropriate. Those performing should also talk with the person leading the service to ensure the program flows smoothly.
5. Do read the lyrics.
Before choosing a funeral song, it’s important to listen carefully to the lyrics or review them online. Some songs may feature lyrics that are inappropriate for the occasion, or they might represent loss in a way that conflicts with your beliefs. The words are a significant part of every song, so make sure your musical selections appropriately honor your loved one.
6. Get creative.
Music can be incorporated into other aspects of the funeral process beyond the service itself. Live or recorded music playing in the background during visitation can help to create a sacred setting. At the repast, musical choices tend to be less formal. This can be a great time to integrate popular tunes that reflect the preferences of the departed
7. There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ songs for your loved one’s funeral.
The music you select depends on the person being remembered, the mood you want to set, and the traditions you want to honor. As long as the music is meaningful to you in connection with the departed, you have made a good choice.
Whatever music you select, it will likely be remembered for years to come. The tunes that are heard at the final goodbye have the potential to bring back memories of your loved one for a very long time. It isn’t a decision to take lightly or one to be made in haste.
Do you have a particular song or piece of music in mind that you'd like to discuss in more detail? We are here to help. Please reach out to our caring team of funeral professionals today. It is always our pleasure to assist you.
About Evan W. Smith Funeral Services: Since 2009, residents of Wilmington, Dover, and the surrounding Delaware community have relied on the caring staff at Evan W. Smith Funeral Services to help them through their darkest hours. Family-owned and operated, the company offers an array of elite funeral care services, including traditional funerals, cremations, memorials, pre-planning, grief counseling, and more. With decades of experience in caring for families from all cultural backgrounds and diverse walks of life, Evan W. Smith Funeral Services is committed to creating memorable, uplifting experiences that always exceed expectations. For more information, please visit www.ewsmithfs.com.
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