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BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals
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BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals |
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Subject: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: Sorcha Date: 09 Oct 01 - 06:50 PM My dumb question of the week---I have been booked to play solo fiddle next Monday for a funeral. Lady was 85, lived 400 miles from here, and I never met her in my life. It will be a "short and sweet" graveside ceremony only. The Son requested 2 trad Irish songs; one a slow air, the other a dance tune.
I have decided to use "Down By the Salley Gardens" (no vocal) and my Kerry Polka..........problem is....... $$. Do I ask for a specific fee, if so how much? Do I just accept whatever gratuity he offers? Doh. The only funerals I have ever played for have been family or dear friends and there was no money involved. Thanks! |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: Bernard Date: 09 Oct 01 - 07:13 PM Here in England as a church organist I ask for 20 pounds, which would be around $35 I think. As it's someone you never met, you have to treat it as a job... hard, I know, but just think what the undertakers are charging! It's worth finding out who the undertakers are - they may well deal with it on your behalf; that often happens over here, and it helps smooth things over. They don't usually expect to be paid an agent's fee for doing so. |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: wysiwyg Date: 09 Oct 01 - 07:16 PM If I could just think of the thread on this we had before... I think it was a singer... lot of good advice in it. One thing, tho-- ask the funeral director to handle communicating the $$ part to the family, or any clergy officiating-- whoever is officiating at the graveside is theoretically in charge of you, as well. S/he should have been consulted by the family and should then have contacted you to explore availability, etc. At least that's how it works here, unless the decedent is a member of the armed forces or other group where there is a tradition already established that people play for one another's passings. Too often, sadly, there is no one left to play taps, either-- a boombox is brought instead. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: katlaughing Date: 09 Oct 01 - 07:19 PM Sorcha, maybe stating the obvious, but you definitely should have your expenses met, at the very least. I, too, think it is a good idea to contact the funeral director. How did they know about you, to call? Could whomever recommended you give you an idea of what is expected? Good for you, for doing this. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: Sorcha Date: 09 Oct 01 - 07:37 PM Thanks, all. The lady lived here for years, and her first husband was instrumental in setting up the 2 yr college here......big "old" family. The Officiator for the service is a friend of mine; he books the whole band often. I'll see what he says. I don't even know the going rate around here; I paid the pianist for my mom's service $100, but she did a LOT.....all the prelude, sat thru the service, etc. |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: Charcloth Date: 10 Oct 01 - 08:45 AM I payed a bagpiper $100 about four years ago for my Mother-in-laws funeral. He played about three tunes on a whistle at the beginning of the service & piped Amazing Grace at the grave site. But he lives only 45 min from here. But he was a good friend of mine but his only living is as a performer. He did give me a break in his usual rate. I often play for friends too but I usualy don't ask for anything BUT they are usually within a half hour of my home. 400 miles is a long way to go pay or no! Considering the distance, I would ask enough to cover (at the minimum) 1/2 of my expenses. And that would be only if it was for a friends family. No relation, no friend connection, yet out of the goodness of your heart, I would ask for more or simply decline. |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: MMario Date: 10 Oct 01 - 08:49 AM Reccomended minimum here in our diocese is $80 for a musician at a service. |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: wysiwyg Date: 10 Oct 01 - 08:54 AM You're not going 400 miles, tho, right? She's coming home to your town? ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: Charcloth Date: 10 Oct 01 - 08:57 AM In case I misread the 400 miles & it is a local funeral. When I do get paid for funerals. I stay for the funeral. For respect if no other reason. I don't feel $60 is too much to ask. I know some get $200. But I am not there yet. |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: Sorcha Date: 10 Oct 01 - 09:19 AM Right, Suze. She is being buried here.......I am NOT going there. Yes, I planned to stay for the service; it's a bit difficult to escape gracefully from a graveside service. Besides, the dance tune is the "recessional". I appreciate the suggestions. |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: wysiwyg Date: 10 Oct 01 - 09:27 AM Well, bes/bud, you could always just think of it like this-- what would you charge if it was a wedding? *G* ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: Sorcha Date: 10 Oct 01 - 09:42 AM No clue there either, bud. None of the weddings I have played paid me in cash........one was free, the others I got "gifts" for. A soprano bouzouki once. |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: breezy Date: 10 Oct 01 - 12:10 PM you may be asked to play afterwards...at the wine and nosh ,these things can go on a bit.I once sang keith marsdens 'funeral song' and it lifted the atmosphere of depression that was hanging over the occasion.It was a plunge into the unknown, but it worked. Let us know what happens please, good luck. |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: wysiwyg Date: 10 Oct 01 - 12:15 PM I can see it now. Price-fixing at Mudcat. I think Rick Fielding started it by enumerating what he would charge for various services (!!!) in the Pay-to-Audition thread. Really, we should have a thread with a table in it with what the going rate (range) is for various things. Including size of venue, who is doing sound, how many instruments & sound pieces you have to tote, whether you bring songbooks for people to use, expenses, all that stuff, right down to the free beer (or not). Anyone want to take that on? "Customary Compensation." Then we would have a point of reference when we break the bad news to the people who ask us to play. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: Steve in Idaho Date: 10 Oct 01 - 03:43 PM You should get paid - and I agree that the funeral home is responsible for communicating the fees. The other aspect is as the musician I wouldn't be on a "stage" so to speak. I'd stay back away from the grave and after the music I'd exit. Buglers leave after Taps so I'd leave after also. Steve |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: Sorcha Date: 10 Oct 01 - 04:03 PM Not around here they don't, Steve. They stick for the whole thing. I'll stand where I'm told to stand. Let's just hope it's not pouring rain.... The whole service is only going to be about 10 minutes--I think I can allocate that much time! |
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Subject: RE: BS(sorta?)/Help-Playing for funerals From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 10 Oct 01 - 04:11 PM Sorcha, I think we discussed fees in a wedding music thread. The consensus was that it varies GREATLY in different regions of the country. Just ask the funeral directors and ministers in your area. |
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