All funeral services should include music to pay tribute to a deceased loved one and create an atmosphere of healing. Funeral music is used several times during a funeral service, which is part of funeral planning. Did you know what the most requested funeral song is in England?
Monty Python’s “Always look at the Bright side” song is England’s most requested funeral song. It has long been a favorite at funerals due to its upbeat tone, bubbly melody, and lyrics about one’s demise.
The Popular Funeral Song
A study conducted by a chain of funeral homes in 1979 discovered that Life of Brian had overtaken Frank Sinatra’s My Way as the preferred choice of funeral music.
The findings of the study was a generational shift in attitudes towards funerals. Modern funerals are very much about personal choice. The variety of songs played at funerals today illustrates how more and more people are choosing to personalise funerals, and celebrate their loved one’s life with a fitting farewell.
David Collingwood, Co-Operative Funeralcare
Before Monty Python’s song became a hit, Eric Idle sang the irreverent tune at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in the UK. Back then, it ranked 13th and has now become the most popular funeral song in England.
We wonder if it’s the people who were young in the swinging ’60s, who are now in their 70s and 80s, and if that’s informing this trend. Monty Python, for example, is of a certain age.
A spokesperson of Monty Python
(Source: BBC)
Keeping Up with the Trend
Hymns like The Lord Is My Shepherd and Abide With Me were the second and third most popular choices. However, they have been declining in popularity quicker than other music genres.
In a study of 30,000 funerals, researchers found only nine songs in the top 20 choices were classical pieces. Of the popular choices were; Angels by Robbie Williams and Who Wants to Love Forever by Queen.
While most facilities cater to their clientele’s possible peculiar music choices, certain songs are not allowed due to inappropriate language or content. Some songs include; Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, God Save the Queen by the Sex Pistols, and Imagine by John Lennon.
We will accommodate any individual request – no matter how unusual, providing it is legal and decent.
David Collingwood, Co-Operative Funeralcare
(Source: BBC)
Always Look on the Bright Side
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life was created as a parody of the style of the song often featured in Disney films. Its appearance at the end of the film, when the central character seems certain to die, was deliberately made to be ironic.
When Graham Chapman died in 1989, the five remaining Monty Python members performed Always Look on the Bright Side of Life at his funeral after John Cleese’s eulogy.
According to a 2005 Music Choice poll, it was the third most popular song that Britons wanted to be played at their funerals. (Source: Monty Python)
Image from Vulture