While music isn’t essential for an end-of-life ceremony, most people prefer to have music at a funeral service.
If you’re in the process of pre-planning a funeral or planning a service for a loved one, the funeral home you choose can assist you in selecting the music.
Depending on your wishes, a professional funeral director will advise you on how to choose the most suitable music format and how many tracks can be played throughout the ceremony.
Whether you choose to incorporate religious practices into the ceremony or not, music for funeral services is usually universally significant and can create a calming environment for you and your loved ones to honor the demise of a loved one.
If you’re wondering how including music for funeral services can help make them more memorable, here’s how.
1. It’s associated with memories
Having music playing in the background during an end-of-life ceremony can help those who were close to the deceased to cherish fond memories they shared in the past.
It can also help you and your loved ones to reflect and process emotions depending on the lyrics of the song, the way it’s performed, and the significance.
2. It’s a meaningful way to honor a loved one
Usually, music signifies remembrance and the opportunity to reminisce. A funeral director at the funeral home of your choice will help you select pieces of music that reflect the personality of your loved one.
If you’re planning a funeral service for a loved one and are unsure of what music goes with it, hymns, instrumental pieces, or contemporary songs are ideal choices.
3. It’s a collective experience
During a funeral ceremony, family and friends come together to mourn and honor the departed.
Music allows attendees to come together and can encourage them to listen, observe, and even sing.
4. It’s personalized
If you’re considering putting together a selection of music to play at a funeral service, you can opt for pre-recorded tracks.
On the contrary, if you have the resources, try inviting family or friends to perform a meaningful, personalized piece of music.
What should you consider before playing a selection of music at a funeral service?
Make sure that the venue you choose to hold the service has a fully functional music system. The funeral director will make sure to notify the venue in advance to test out the system and appoint someone to handle the music.
If the service is going to be held at a church or any other place of worship, you might have to provide your own portable speaker system.
If you prefer live music, most churches will have an organ, and an organist can be arranged to provide the music.
Music for funeral services can help honor the passing of a loved one
Music is a good way to accompany you and your loved ones through a very emotionally distressing period. It can help you process your feelings and allow you to work through the grief.
Make sure you have the necessary support from your family, friends, and a funeral home when planning a memorial service to cherish and honor the memory of your loved one.