BS: Your own funeral

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 03:47 AM

Funerals are for the people left behind and for some reason cost an absolute fortune, unless you know an undertaker and someone who does horse drawn funerals etc!

I want to be cremated once any organs that are useful have been removed for donation. I have written my funeral...just so it is right and doesn't have any Christian elements in it. I don't want the curtains to close at the cremetorium as its what most people focus on and remember. I want a party atmosphere, I don't want my death mourned but my life celebrated. I've got a list of music but it will constantly change as my life changes.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Little Hawk
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 12:09 PM

I'm with you, Peace. I don't see any reason to have a funeral. I'd like to leave the room so quietly that no one even found out about it for a year or so...by which time I'll be well in on my next project anyway, and good and done with this one, I can assure you.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Peace
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 10:59 AM

I don't want one. A funeral that is. Waste of money, waste of time. Buy a perfectly good box--made from wood, polished and all--and put it in the ground or the oven of a crematorium. That make any sense to y'all? And pay 5-10 thousand dollars for the privilege of having people come tell more lies about you in death than they usually did in life? Humbug!

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: GUEST,BobL
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 09:10 AM

Last three minutes or so (depending on the conductor, with Len Bernstein it will be more like four) of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms.

And since I'm a founder member of the WGMA, the Shropshire Funaral (sic) Hymn, complete with high sop doing the alto line an octave up as a last-verse descant.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: kendall
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 07:27 AM

Anything but Amazing Grace..

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Genie
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 03:13 AM

I'd love to have a bunch of jazz musicians do the New Orleans "funeral" version of Saints Go Marching In.

Also Terry Pinnegar's "Flyin' Shoes" and Rick Fielding's "Sing With The Angels."

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: The PA
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 03:54 AM

My friend has cancer and all the treatments have been unsuccessful, he only has months to go, so he has arranged his own funeral - how brave is that. This set us all thinking, I have decided on the compulsary wearing of pink, men included, and a stand up comedian. If anyone is miserable, I'm coming back to haunt them. Music, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, and Roll out the Barrel.

The husband is getting chucked on the muck-heap - well there's no point in waisting him, is there.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 12:05 PM

I am going but quietly. Instant cremation. Scatter me in the nooks and crannies of my house. I like Maine.
I have left some money to a friend who will use some of it for a party. Toast me with Jack Daniels and let me lie in peace.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: GUEST,Keinstein
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 11:27 AM

When I die, I want my body to be cryogenocally preserved so that future generations can laugh at it. And so that they can sing at the funeral: "Freeze a jolly good fellow..."

Alternatively, I want the DNA in my body to be extracted, just to see how many times it stretches to the moon and back.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Neighmond
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 09:12 AM

"Claremont" by Alexander Pope

"Happy Land" by Andrew Young

"We will walk through the streets of the City" by Garfield.

And a regular old hillbilly wake.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 08:14 PM

As cheaply and 'green' as is possible here, with the family feelings in mind. BUT...if they play any of that Jesus Music, especially In the Garden, Rock of Ages, or Amazing Grace, I WILL rise up and haunt them to the end of their days! LOL!

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: *Laura*
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 05:35 PM

Queen - Another One Bites the Dust.
please.

xLx

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 07:49 PM

100 R.I.P

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Matt_R
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 06:26 PM

- "The Dark Isle" on pipes
- Theme from "Once Upon a Time In The West" by Ennio Morricone

and maybe Funkadelic's live "Maggot Brain," the greatest rock & roll instrumental ever recorded.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 03:38 PM

I am having Everybody Hurts by REM and Spirit in the Sky when the coffin has disappeared down the hole.The wake will go on for days,i dont want the congregation to be upset.
Scooby

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 02:50 PM

since I last posted on this thread, I've decided I'm not going...but we'll have the wake, anyway, 'cause they are fun.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 12:54 PM

refreshing once more

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 07:01 PM

I have no idea what I want played at my funeral but I sincerely hope it is NOT this song. I hear it on the radio frequently and I think the whole song is just WRONG. Imagine if you were suicidal and heard this or imagine you were a parent who lost a child to suicide....this song is just WRONG WRONG WRONG!

How Do You Get That Lonely by Blaine Larsen


It was just another story written on the second page
Underneath the Tiger's football score
It said he was only eighteen, a boy about my age
They found him face down on the bedroom floor

There'll be services on Friday at the Lawrence Funeral Home
Then out on Mooresville highway, they'll lay him 'neath a stone...

(Chorus)
How do you get that lonely, how do you hurt that bad
To make you make the call, that havin' no life at all
Is better than the life that you had
How do you feel so empty, you want to let it all go
How do you get that lonely... and nobody know

Did his girlfriend break up with him, did he buy or steal that gun?
Did he lose a fight with drugs or alcohol?
Did his Mom and Daddy forget to say I love you son?
Did no one see the writing on the wall?

I'm not blamin' anybody, we all do the best we can
I know hindsight's 20/20, but I still don't understand...

(Chorus)
How do you get that lonely, how do you hurt that bad
To make you make the call, that havin' no life at all
Is better than the life that you had
How do you feel so empty, you want to let it all go
How do you get that lonely... and nobody know

It was just another story printed on the second page
Underneath the Tiger's football score...

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 06:50 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Ralphie
Date: 26 Aug 01 - 02:12 PM

Well
If one was feeling optimistic about the hereafter....
You could always have that eponymous Rolling Stones song
"Hey You....Get off of my cloud"
Just in case the Germans had arrived early (with their towels!)
Ralphie

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Aug 01 - 01:32 PM

Who says I want a funeral in the first place? I detest funerals. Ambrose Bierce had the right idea...he just disappeared with no forwarding address.

If I must pick a song, though...Buffy Sainte-Marie recorded one called "The Angel", I think was...it wasn't written by her. It's a beautiful song.

Other than that, I'll agree with Spaw that "Lay Down Your Weary Tune" by Dylan is a fine choice.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Crazy Eddie
Date: 26 Aug 01 - 08:49 AM

Ewan McColls "The Joy of Living"
Liam Clancy's version of "The Parting Glass"

Then when they have grieved a bit, Monty Python's "Always Look on The Bright Side of Life" to cheer everyone up.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Diva
Date: 26 Aug 01 - 08:25 AM

One hymn I don't want is "The Lord's My Shepherd" or "Abide with me" cannot stand either of them. I would like a huge party with lots of singing and everyone enjoying themselves. The one tune I MUST have is "The Glasgow Police Pipers" played by the Neilson Pipe Band if possible as it has been my favorite pipe tune for many years.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: DougR
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 01:18 PM

No songs. That's an invitation to sadness as far as I'm concerned. Just lots of friends getting together with some booze and having a good time together. Some of my ashes will be spread on a golf course in southern Arizona where my wife's are, and where we had so many good times together; some will be scattered on our family plot in Texas, and the balance in the Close at our church near where the rest of my wife's ashes are buried.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: vindelis
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 12:46 PM

The traditional wake on Portland, includes crab sandwiches and dough cake; tag a good boozy ceilidh on as well and I think that will do.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: iamjohnne
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 10:54 AM

I really havnt thought too much about my own funeral but maybe "Try to Remember " from the "Fantastics"

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 07:04 AM

Always Look on The Bright Side of Life-Eric Idle
Spring from The Four Seasons-Kennedy

PS. I live at the other end of the cemetry that Ickle Dorrit mentioned, so just throw me over the wall as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Mbo
Date: 13 Mar 00 - 02:00 PM

Yep, and MAKE SURE it's the one with Dawn Upshaw singing. She has an amazing voice!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Mar 00 - 10:26 AM

WW, you can hear sound clips of ir here at CDNow, but if you buy, don't forget to go through the Mudcat to get them a cut of the deal.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: WyoWoman
Date: 13 Mar 00 - 10:10 AM

Wavestar and MBo, I'm not familiar with that symphony. Can you recommend a particular recording?

WyoWoman

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Mar 00 - 08:36 PM

Saying goodbye to peole is a complicated process, musically, as in other ways.

As I see it there should be:

A wake - which is the night before the funeral, in the home of the fella that's died, preferably with her or him present in the box, but that's not essential. And that's when friends and family sit and reminisce and have a few drinks and sing songs that fit, songs that the deceased might have liked or that bring back memories of shared times.

Then there's the funeral itself, at the church (or some equivalent public place), which should be three days after the death. And that's where the hymns and the requiems and so forth belong.

Then there's round the grave, where a suitable song should be sung - maybe a hymn, maybe something else entirely.

Then there's the celebration afterwards, a bit like a wedding reception, but friendlier. That's where the funny songs fit in, and the dance music.

And after that maybe, when things have settled down, some kind of memorial thing, and that's where the Symphonies and that might fit in.

I said it was a complicated process. Not that many people get it right. Finnigan only got to the first stage, and it was too much for him.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Gaffer
Date: 12 Mar 00 - 07:55 PM

I'm not too worried but "The Laughing Policeman" might be nice!

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Callie
Date: 12 Mar 00 - 07:36 PM

Yep - I spent a new year's eve some years ago listening to the Sorrowful Songs as the new year dawned. It was a very contemplative welcome to a new year! --Callie

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Mbo
Date: 12 Mar 00 - 07:08 PM

Oh YEAH Wavestar!!! I ADORE Gorecki's 3rd "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs." That 2nd movement...oh...I'm lost for words on how to describe it! It gave me goosebumps for an hour after hearing it....it still raised the hair on my neck whenever I hear it. It surely has to be one of the most gorgeous things in creation!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Amos
Date: 12 Mar 00 - 05:31 PM

I think "Haul Away, Joe" might be nice....

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Caitrin
Date: 12 Mar 00 - 05:05 PM

Me...
That's what my uncle Randy says, too. Actually, he wanted to be on the porch, dressed in his Tommy Hilfiger boxer shorts. He claims he'll leave a provision in his will to pay my younger brother to move him to various family porches, just for a gag. Uncle Randy's an interesting guy.
I don't know what I want played at my funeral. I'll get back to ya once I've thought about it some more.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: GUEST,me
Date: 12 Mar 00 - 04:36 PM

I don't want to be buried either. I want to be stuffed and stowed in the living room. I think right next to the fireplace sounds good.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Banjer
Date: 12 Mar 00 - 06:20 AM

I have been to so many funerals where old traditional hymns (mostly played on organ) have been piped in that I have told my family 'NO WAY'......My request would be a live bluegrass/old time band playing stuff like: Rank Strangers
Just Over In Glory Land
Where Could I Go But To The Lord
Old Rugged Cross

If there is time, then take requests from the attendees for some of their favorites to be played. We just recently (Feb 23) laid to rest our brother-in-law. After the minister told us all we already knew about his life someone had the good sense to stick a CD in a player and let it boom out some Hank Williams. I think leaving there to the tune of Jambalya would have been Pug's own idea!

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Wolfgang
Date: 12 Mar 00 - 06:20 AM

"Adieu, Émile" and "So troll' ich mich..." for me. Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 12 Mar 00 - 05:14 AM

One of the most memorable graveside services I have ever attended had 350 strangers singing a song we all knew

Happy Trails To You - Until We Meet Again

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: GUEST,singout aka Sail
Date: 11 Mar 00 - 12:21 PM

I want to have a sing-a-long, as many people today don't know how enjoyble that is. Included would be "Well May the World Go," "Canaan's Land," and "Who Will Sing For Me." They ought to enjoy that, don't you think? Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: tar_heel
Date: 11 Mar 00 - 11:41 AM

"gone home,"words and music by,bill carlylse. the only serious song that he probably ever wrote,but now a classic amoung the old-time gospel songs.

1.ALL OF THE FRIENDS THAT I LOVED YESTERDAY, GONE HOME-GONE HOME. THE SONGBIRDS THAT SING IN THE DELL SEEM TO SAY, GONE HOME-GONE-HOME. chorus THEY'VE JOINED THE HEAVENLY HOME. THE'RE WALKING THE STREETS OF PURE GOLD. THEY LEFT ONE BY ONE, AS THEIR WORK HERE WAS DONE, GONE HOME-GONE HOME.

2.LIFE HERE IS EMPTY SINCE THEY'VE GONE BEFORE, GONE HOME-GONE HOME. THE OLD WEEPING WILLOW THAT STANDS BY THE DOOR, GONE HOME-GONE HOME.

3.WHEN THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND ON THAT GREAT JUDGEMENT DAY, GONE HOME-GONE HOME. WE'LL MEET ALL OUR FRIENDS THAT HAVE GONE ON THEIR WAY, GONE HOME-GONE HOME.

performed by ,the hemrick family singers, the gospel way album-heritage records, woodlawn virginia. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: GUEST,TTCM
Date: 11 Mar 00 - 11:39 AM

''No way I want to waste any space with a carcass!''

...For once we and the lafcat are in total agreement...

(Oh......sorry. You meant --post-humously.)

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Mar 00 - 08:20 AM

Terry Allan Hall....thanks for pointing that out, I meant a cremation, too! No way I want to waste any space with a carcass!

Oh, and sicne this thread started, I've been thinking on this even more and have decided in addition to the music, I will also have gourmet chocolates passed round!

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Wavestar
Date: 11 Mar 00 - 07:46 AM

Hmm... I think among other things, I'd go for the 2 movement of Gorecki's third symphony... or parts of it... I'd love to have the whole symphony, but nothing I did in my life could justify that. Anyone here familiar with it? My favourite piece of classical music of all time. Absolutely makes me quiver, and always has.

and I'll have to go with Giac on Harry Chapin's "Circle"... My mother sang that at my grandfather's funeral, when I was twelve. It had special meaning to her, because she's known Harry, and babysat his son, before he died... That song tends to come round in my family every now and then. And of course, "Turning towards the Morning"...

-J

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Crowhugger
Date: 11 Mar 00 - 05:16 AM

Rethinking my first post to this thread, something sordid by Gavin Briars seems appropriate somehow...the lovable hateable Jesus' Love Never Failed Me. Hey, I'll be over my morbid phase soon. Probably. I think.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 10 Mar 00 - 08:53 AM

No funeral for me...don't believe in wasting perfectly good land to plant myself when that land could be used to plant something useful...perhaps the "Terry Allan Hall Memorial Pot-Patch"...LOL

Now, at my cremation/Bar-B-Q (hopefully not at the same time!), I think I'd like Mike Oldfield's "Ommadawn", Tish Hinojosa's "Something About The Rain" and finally, Woody Guthrie's "So LOng, It's Been Good To Know Ya".

But, I'm in no hurry!

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: GUEST,Amergin
Date: 10 Mar 00 - 02:44 AM

Personally, I'd like the Lumberjack Song by Monty Python to be played. That and maybe Barnyards of Delgaty, and the Song of Amergin being read aloud.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: Mooh
Date: 09 Mar 00 - 08:37 PM

Mbo...Yeah I like that. Gimme Shelter and Sympathy for the Devil, too. All Right Now. Human Highway (Neil Young). There's a great rendition of Jerry Lee Lewis doing "Don't Put No Headstone on My Grave" which would be nice...for the non-traditional funeral. Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Your own funeral
From: GUEST,Seamus Kennedy
Date: 08 Mar 00 - 11:53 PM

Gene Autry singing Beautiful Dreamer, and the Clancy Bros & Tommy Makem's Parting Glass.