Music For A Humanist Funeral?

[themorrigan]

ok my totally daft mam -the one that announced last month she was going to be matron of honour when her two gay friends got married -has decided after going to a funeral yesterday she wants a Humanist send off. Now hopefully this will be a long way off though she is 81, she wants me to get her some music so she can organise her 'play list'. She likes Tom Jones and apparently once threw her knickers at him in 1969 in Bournemouth, she also likes Hugh Laurie's efforts at The Blues and loves Buble. As I'm more into Alice Cooper I doubt she'd appreciate going down to Welcome to my Nightmare......Please, any suggestions??

[emmie]

take your pick,

http://www.tomjones.com/discography/greatest-hits/

[themorrigan]

Thankyou em but none of those are suitable, you have to listen to the words and see if they are appropriate. Maybe I've put this in the wrong category?

[emmie]

let me have a think. the o/h had a humanist funeral i chose classical music.

[emmie]

may not be appropriate but i really like this song. I am big fan of his, don't care that some say he can't sing,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tIIRs0Sam8

[vulcan42]

there's a few listed here.
http://elegantmemorials.com/funeral-songs

[emmie]

some help maybe, the poem is lovely

http://www.janetdonnelly.co.uk/funerals.html

[emmie]

a favourite, if you like some classical

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCicM6i59_I

[rockyracoon]

Morrigan, I wouldn't worry about the words, just have what reminds you of your mum. Mine wants Ride On Time by Black Box at hers!

[themorrigan]

Apologies for not getting back sooner, a huge thank you for all replies, especially Em10, and for the links. I'm sure I can find a 'playlist' from this and the poem is really nice and so appropriate. Its a bit difficult talking about funerals when the person is alive but mam is very cool about it and says it will be one less thing to worry about. She also wants a cardboard coffin as quote ' why pay for all that lovely wood when I'm going up in flames'. I suppose thats sensible......lol!

[Davethedog]

Can I suggest that you play her favourite songs, not look for “appropriate” songs. It will be a celebration of your Mum and you want people to smile, if possible, at her memorable songs.

I have told my kids that I want “Won’t get fooled again” the long version when they press the button on me.

Find out what Tom was singing when she threw her knickers, that’s number one, what’s her fav Buble that’s number two and I am sure Hugh has a mellow tune or two.

A humanist funeral is celebration for the people that remain.

[nungate]

My stepfather had a Humanist funeral, it was lovely. We chose poems and he selected the music he wanted - Smile and Imagine - We played two versions of Smile one at the beginning and the other at the end with Imagine during a quiet time for reflection and rembrance. It was a lovely ceremony just what he wanted (I think)