Brother Rick, if you're reading this... people questioned why I would sing Handful of Songs in nursing homes. It seemed like a silly question in a way. It's not that people there don't realize that they're going to do... they are often quite humorous in the way that they talk about it... someone said to me, "The only way you can get out of this place is in a pine box." Many of the old hymns are very encouraging, that deal with death. People especially love Never Grow Old. Sounds good to them. They also like Angel Band. Any songs that speak of a joyful afterlife and reunion are elevating, not depressing. an example:"I'm going to see my Mother You know she died so long ago What a blessed, sweet reunion When I meet her on that shore."
From When I Get To Glory
My Mother talks with longing about seeing her Mother, who died when my Mother was eleven.
The one song we don't do is Burying Ground..
"I wonder can you hear, those church bells tolling repeat twice Way over yonder, in the burying ground."
What is hard to realize when you're young and good health is that if you are bedridden and in pain all the time, or so heavily drugged that you can't even stay awake, if you have a strong faith, death can sound like a pretty good deal. Heaven or Intensive Care. Take your pick..
Jerry