8 Dec 2012

IMAGINE (THAT).

A bit of a morbid post perhaps but never have truer words been spoken than ..... 

Tis impossible to be sure of anything but Death and Taxes
- Christopher Bullock (author of 'Cobler Of Preston'), 1716.

'Song lyrics now provide the poignant words to remember a loved one's life, either to acknowledge how much they were loved and will be missed or as a reminder of their favourite hobby, pastime or humour.'
Lorinda Robinson, Co-Operative Funeralcare spokeswoman.


Over the years I've heard many what I considered to be urban myths about the 'outrageous' songs that people have had played at their funeral as well as the songs that have been supposedly banned. Now it seems that another such story has hit the news after research by Co-Operative Funeralcare has shown that a quarter of funeral homes have refused to play John Lennon's 'Imagine', deeming the line 'Imagine there's no heaven' to be in poor taste.

Hmm, interesting. 

With pop music having outplayed hymns by two to one last year, the top three contemporary songs chosen by people are ......









What song best represents your life?



Sources: Metro Online, Top 10 Misquotes, You Tube.

13 comments:

Jeannie said...

I'm not sure any of these apply. But then I'VE never really thought about the music at my funeral and I'm. Totally blank.

I don’t even much care. If there's someone left mourning then I'd like the music to comfort them more than honour me.

Carol said...

I think my family would have to choose which song best represents me.

Difficult to think of this one.

carol

The Bookworm said...

Oh gosh, I don't know. Maybe something by Coldplay...Viva la vida. Id want something beautiful yet not too sad. Happy Saturday.

So many books, so little time said...

I have mine picked, My immortal and free bird.

I love your wee advent calender, dot to dots are great fun and I haven't done them since I was a kid.

Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

Revd. Neal Terry said...

Highway to Hell - AC/DC
Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
Ohne Dich - Rammstein
Goodbye - Peter Cook & Dudley Moore... not that that the funeral isn't all prepared or anything...

Alexia561 said...

Interesting post! I like Amazing Grace, both the bagpipe version and Elvis Presley's version. Maybe I should make a funeral CD?

Kelly said...

Ahahaha! Love your husband's picks! (some really good songs, btw)

I don't plan to have a funeral, but I wouldn't mind them playing "One of These Days" by FFH when they throw my ashes into our pond.

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

My Dad once said he wants Ken Dodd's Happiness to be played at his funeral!

I'm not sure what song I'd have played at my funeral... No doubt it would be something by Take That, Robbie Williams or Matchbox Twenty.

Lisa said...

We had friends who used "Imagine" in their wedding - in the Catholic church! Clearly they didn't have to get the music preapproved.

Just the other day a song was playing that I told my husband and daughter I wanted played at my funeral...and now none of us can remember what it was! I just asked my husband and he suggested a couple of ideas, both of which I would love to have at my funeral but I'm not sure I'd say they represent my life. My son said "So, basically, your funeral will be a concert." I'd love that. But hymns will be among the songs!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I think you should be allowed to pick whatever song you want for your funeral. I mean, granted, you aren't physicall THERE, but it's a bummer some people can longer use "imagine" if that's what they want. I don't know what I'd want played, to be honest.

The Reading Momster said...

Ummm... What music would I want to play at my funeral? Good question! I thin something that would make people smile and dance :) Because that is what I would want.

Gina said...

Interesting post. I can see why they wanted to "ban" the song but really, isn't it up to the family or even the deceased person's wishes? If that was their song, then hey...more power to them. As for me, geesh...I don't know. Right now it would be Manic Monday, but I don't know that I'd want that at my funeral!

Jenners said...

I think a person's family should be allowed to play whatever song they want!!! That bothers me that Imagine is banned.

Sadly, I have had the opportunity to help pick songs for both of my parent's funerals and it was one of the most important aspects for me. Songs can create emotional feelings in a way that no other art form can. It was so healing to listen to those songs at their services.

I constantly change my idea of what I want played so I'm not sure I can answer that yet!