Songs for a funeral?

[aaronmarkson]

Hey there forum freinds... Does anybody have any suggestions for Songs that are appropriate for a funeral?

My grandma died this past Tuesday, and my grandpa has requested that I play and sing something at the funeral. She wasn't particularly into music, but always supported me in my music, and thus would want me to play in honor of her.

There will be some hymns led by another guy, but I just am having a hard time coming up with a great song to play/sing.

Has anyone had to do this? Any suggestions?

-aaron

[hpeeler]

Alan Jackson has a new song out called "Sissy's Song" but if I remember right, it talks about a young woman dying. Still might work though.
Sorry to hear about your grandmother and I admire you for playing at the funeral. It also might be a good opportunity to tap that more creative side and write something special just for her.
Hal

[Wally]

I've played in several and have typically had some idea of the deceased favorite hymn or style of music. For hymns, two of the most popular are

Amazing Grace and In the Garden

Since your Grandmother was always supportive of your music maybe a good one would be Wind Beneath My Wings- Bette Midler or You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban

I really love Mercy Me's Homesick

Other possibilities
Home - Daughtry
If Tomorrow Never Comes - Garth Brooks
Candle in the Wind - Elton John
Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton

[JeffR.]

Sorry for your loss.

I did "Hymn of Promise" at my Grandpa's funeral a couple years ago; great lyrics and a fairly easy song to play, as well.

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.


Jeff

[David Hilyard]

I played at my mom's funeral and it was really tough to do. But it was something I wanted to do. Music was a huge part of her life. She played piano, accordion and organ all her life and I have great memories of her sitting and playing for hours. She also supported my efforts on guitar and other stringed instruments and loved to hear me play, even when I was not so good.

I chose "Amazing Grace" for the funeral service, instrumentally. For the grave side service, I sat and played a few of her favorite tunes that we used to play together. "This Old House", "Redwing" and "Wildwood Flower". That was pretty hard to do, also.

I would suggest a song that your grandma heard you play and liked. Something that connects the two of you. Or something from her era, that you know she liked.

Good luck.

[D. Dubya]

First, I'm sorry for your loss, and I pray for comfort and peace for your family.

I'll second "Homesick" by Mercyme. I sang that at a funeral a couple of weeks ago. I also sang "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin. You can check that one out here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8w7mGug0c

Singing at funerals is difficult, especially for a close family member, but it can be such a great blessing. The first time I was asked, I just wanted to go and hide somewhere. But, talking to the family afterward, I was shocked at how meaningful it was to everyone. I decided then that if something I can do, and actually enjoy doing, can mean that much to a family who has lost someone, there's no way I would ever say no.

God bless - DW

[folkfan]

Sorry for your loss. I have played Kate Wolf's "An Unfinished Life" at a number of funerals/memorial services. It is a really wonderful song.
I am sure any song you choose will be well received. Best of luck.

[fulano]

Very sorry for your loss. I hope she lived a full and happy life.

Oh Danny Boy is a good funeral song. I have told my wife and kids somebody better play/sing it at my funeral. Not to be too lighthearted about it but my 7 year old always follows that comment about Danny Boy up with "yeah, and at my funeral somebody better play cheeseburger in paradise". Kids keep it real.

[patrickgm60]

Singing at funerals is difficult, especially for a close family member, but it can be such a great blessing. The first time I was asked, I just wanted to go and hide somewhere. But, talking to the family afterward, I was shocked at how meaningful it was to everyone. I decided then that if something I can do, and actually enjoy doing, can mean that much to a family who has lost someone, there's no way I would ever say no.

Well said. I'm playing/singing at a memorial service this evening for someone I only met briefly, because of the same sentiment. Family requested Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" and Chris Tomlin's "I Will Rise."

[MikeTX]

Aaron,

Very sorry about your grandma. It is difficult, but on the positive side, you making a musical tribute to her is a wonderful and appreciated thing, for all - you'll be proud and glad you did it.

IF it is appropriate to your grandparents' relationship, Colin Boyd had a wonderful story song called "Love, Me". Kathy Mattea has one called "Where Have You Been" that is just as touching, but about memory loss. Final suggestion is John Denver's "Perhaps Love", which I have done at a number of services, very positive sentiment.

Anything you choose will be fine, I'm sure.

Mike

LOVE, ME - COLIN BOYD

I read a note my grandma wrote back in nineteen twenty-three.
Grandpa kept it in his coat, and he showed it once to me. He said,
"Boy, you might not understand, but a long, long time ago,
Grandma's daddy didn't like me none, but I loved your Grandma so."

We had this crazy plan to meet and run away together.
Get married in the first town we came to, and live forever.
But nailed to the tree where we were supposed to meet, instead
Of her, I found this letter, and this is what it said:

If you get there before I do, don't give up on me.
I'll meet you when my chores are through;
I don't know how long I'll be.
But I'm not gonna let you down, darling wait and see.
And between now and then, till I see you again,
I'll be loving you. Love, me.

I read those words just hours before my Grandma passed away,
In the doorway of a church where me and Grandpa stopped to pray.
I know I'd never seen him cry in all my fifteen years;
But as he said these words to her, his eyes filled up with tears.

If you get there before I do, don't give up on me.
I'll meet you when my chores are through;
I don't know how long I'll be.
But I'm not gonna let you down, darling wait and see.
And between now and then, till I see you again,
I'll be loving you. Love, me.
Between now and then, till I see you again,
I'll be loving you. Love, me.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN - KATHY MATTEA

Claire had all but given up
When she and Edwin fell in love
She touched his face and shook her head
In disbelief she sighed and said
In many dreams I've held you near
Now at last you're really here

Chorus
Where have you been?
I've looked for you for ever and a day
Where have you been?
I'm just not myself when you're away

He asked her for her hand for life
Then she became a salesman's wife
He was home each night by 8
But one stormy evening he was late
Her frightened tears fell to the floor
Until his key turned in the door

Chorus

They'd never spent a night apart
For 60 yrs she heard him snore
Now they're in a hospital
In seperate beds on different floors

Claire soon lost her memory, forgot the names of family
She never spoke a word again
Then one day they wheeled him in
He held her hand and stroked her hair
In a fragile voice she said

Chorus

Where have you been
Ive searched for you forever and a day
Where have you been
Im just not myself when your away
Im just not myself when your away

PERHAPS LOVE - JOHN DENVER

Perhaps love is like a resting place, a shelter from the storm
It exists to give you comfort, it is there to keep you warm
And in those times of trouble when you are most alone
The memory of love will bring you home

Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door
It invites you to come closer, it wants to show you more
And even if you lose yourself and don't know what to do
The memory of love will see you through

Love to some is like a cloud, to some as strong as steel
For some a way of living, for some a way to feel
And some say love is holding on and some say letting go
And some say love is everything, and some say they don't know

Perhaps love is like the ocean, full of conflict, full of pain
Like a fire when it's cold outside, thunder when it rains
If I should live forever, and all my dreams come true
My memories of love will be of you

Some say love is holding on and some say letting go
Some say ove is everything and some say they don't know

Perhaps love is like the mountains, full of conflict, full of change
Like a fire when it's cold outside, thunder when it rains
If I should live forever, and all my dreams come true
My memories of love will be of you

[LiveMusic]

I don't know who wrote "Love, Me" but Colin Raye was the artist, not Colin Boyd. At least, I have no idea who Colin Boyd is.

Regarding Danny Boy, Eric Clapton did Danny Boy as instrumental. I play it like that and it is stunning. I don't know if it would fit for a woman's funeral, though.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken is always a good song around here, anyway. It's sad but sounds happy and people like to sing along.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by aaronmarkson

Hey there forum freinds... Does anybody have any suggestions for Songs that are appropriate for a funeral?

Hi aaron...
Somewhere Over The Rainbow is appropriate since other people are covering the hymn aspect.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by lofapco

Excellent suggestion Larry! Do you know of a nice arraingment/tab of it? I have always loved that song but have never gotten around to learning it.

Hi Paul...
No, I just worked out a simple arrangement in key of G...it's pretty easy as a simple chord-melody piece to reach all the 'right' notes from within chords and simple variations of them.

[HD18JBGuy]

Sorry about your loss.

Defying Gravity, written by Jesse Winchester and covered by many. It is short, sweet, and is only two or three chords. It is kind of sad, but keeps the mood positive as well. Here are the lyrics:

I live on this big round ball
I never do dream I may fall
But even one day if I do
I'll jump up and smile back at you

I don't even know where we are
They tell me we're circling a star
Though I'll take their word, I don't know
But I'm dizzy so it may be so

We're all riding this big round ball
We never do dream we may fall
And even the high must lay low
And when I do fall I will be set to go
Yes when I do fall I will be set to go

Here is a video of Jimmy Buffett covering this song. Just find the video on the right hand part of the screen and click "Watch".

http://www.margaritaville.com/index.php?page=videos

[LiveMusic]

Over The Rainbow, as sung and arranged by Eva Cassidy, is absolutely stunning. Literally, brought tears to my eyes first time I ever heard it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUwTdqPkluY

I play it like this and it is awesome. I haven't nailed her arrangement but close enough.

Not a doubt in my mind, this is a fabulous choice. I'd probably lose it if I played it at a funeral, since it hit me the way it did. She died. What a talent! I was floored by her voice but wow, she's a good guitar player, too.