Saturday, June 13, 2009

Funeral Music

Okay, okay, so it isn't a whimsical subject. Still, I'm wondering what different people think is appropriate for their going out. My sister had Somewhere over the rainbow. Some folks use Highway to Hell, and in fact it is one of the more often played Rock songs at funerals. Some people stick with the old tried and true hymns with the hell fire and brimstone pastors warning all in attendance they don't have long to repent themselves. I'm kind of thinking Meat Loaf's Bat out of Hell, but it'd unseat my poor mom something fierce.

I'm wondering what different music people have thought of for their own going out party so to speak. Maybe even the "oh gosh, did they really pick that song???" moments too. Heh even unusual eulogies interest me. My best friend will be giving mine and the opening line is set in stone. "....... was an asshole, but he was our asshole." The rear of my marker is also going to be engraved, "Sometimes ya just gotta be an asshole" too. Those that know who I am are probably nodding their heads and grinning as they read that.

Sorry if funeral talk unnerves some. I figure we're all gonna die and never doubted my mortality, although I've had so many close calls some think I am immortal. As an atheist, funerals are just the final party. My ashes will be scattered in freefall. Loved skydiving and wish I still could, but oh well. Anyhow, no, I am not gonna die, nor thinking about doing something stupid. I'm just looking for something "interesting" to discuss and this interests me.
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9 comments:

OrbsCorbs said...

I used to want Roxy Music's "Take A Chance With Me" played at my funeral, but I've since decided against any kind of memorial service. Cremation, and just throw the ashes in Lake Michigan, or a dumpster.

June 13, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Toad said...

For some reason I hate to admit it but, many years ago I thought I would like to lie in the casket with headphones on listening to what was my favorite music at the time "Sergio Mendez and Brazil "66" I lived half my life with headphones on so I thought that would be cool.

Now like Orbs I have chosen the SAME method, and whatever they do with the ashes OH WELL.

I should say my FAVORITE song probably (most appropriate) would be "AS TIME GOES BY"

June 13, 2009 at 10:05 AM
drewzepmeister said...

Athough I have a love/hate relationship with Stairway to Heaven, that song would be my pick. Along with the Beatles' Golden Slumbers/Carry that Weight.

Just scatter my ashes Up North.

June 13, 2009 at 12:19 PM
hale-bopp said...

It's amazing how many of us want the fire afterwards, yet how few seem to get it. Be sure those likely to have to make arrangements know your wishes.

I don't know what I would want...maybe some Georgre Hrab or Greydon Square or something similar. There is lots of good religious music for funerals and my last act of defiance would be having some good atheist music.

June 13, 2009 at 1:57 PM
kkdither said...

Funerals are an odd tradition. You throw a party when you want to just be alone. Everyone that comes says the same thing, because there really isn't anything you can say. Very surreal situation.

I think it is more for everyone else that visits than it is for the family or the dearly departed. Kind of a catharsis...

When I'm gone, have a drink, toast and say you'll miss me, laugh at the stupid things I have done and let that be that.

No meaningful or whimsical music, my tastes are usually not in sync with the masses.

June 13, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Huck Finn said...

Which means you DO have one song you'd play if you thought the masses wouldn't be so put off by it. I can only imagine the poor Mom's at funeral where Highway to hell get's played. No stop signs, speed limits...

Hale I read a SF series called Death Lands. The first few were the best before they became same old, same old. Anyway, the characters were walking down the road and saw a corpse in the ditch. They started talking about it was no different for the dead guy in the ditch as the Baron at the Ville adventures back. The baron had had a huge New Orleans type send off with a jazz band leading the way and black stallions pulling a hearse wagon. What was the common consensus amongst the crew was to neither one, the Baron or the or the corpse, the send off much mattered. Once you're dead, you're dead.

I have a nice cemetery plot. The cemetery is out in the country with old growth hickory and oak tress. Some tall pines, and many very very old markers from the 1800s. Why did I buy it if I want my ashes scattered in freefall? Because Mom wants, no needs a place she can come visit me she said. Fact is, I know even wish my Will stipulating what I want, I may not be cremated nor ashes flung in freefall. So I have this nice plot at the base of an old tree where I might end up after I'm dead. Thing is, like the Baron or the corpse in the story, I'll be dead and it won't matter much.

June 13, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Bar L. said...

I like this question, I've thought about it several times and my sister knows that when I'm outta here she can choose from several songs to blast really loud at my memorial: "Walk On" by U2, "Hallelujah" sang by Jeff Buckley, "ThunderRoad" by Bruce. I'd like my son to keep my ashes in an urn that's inscribed "even though I'm not here, I'm watching you, so you better behave yourself!"

June 13, 2009 at 7:33 PM
MinnesotaChick said...

Memorial service for me. I don't want people staring at me when I'm dead! Would be creepy if I moved. LOL
Rock music.. my DH knows what I want to hear.
It's kind of hard to decide whether to be buried ( where loved ones can visit and mourn) or to be cremated ( puts an end to things.. nowhere to mourn)
Both my Mom and Dad are gone, Dad cremated, Mom buried.
It's weird to not have a place to grieve over as in my Dad. But.. the memories are always with me. So when ever I visit a place that he liked, I think of him.
My Mom, I know where she is. :) I may not visit her often, but she's in my heart, as is my Dad.

So, to answer the ? of what music? Whatever will make my friends and loved ones feel better that I'm gone. When they hear a song, they will think of me. ;)

June 14, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Lizardmom said...

I really don't know about the music but hubby and I are at odds over another aspect and it seems just as divided here maybe, but I'll throw it out and see where it lands...

(oh, music HAS to be upbeat!)

Funerals/visitations - viewing and final goodbyes during visitation, or cremation and just pictures?

I've been to both kinds and feel being able to view the body one final time to say goodbye seems to bring better closure to their passing.
Just seeing pictures feels empty to me.

We both want to be cremated, but what about renting a casket for viewing 1st? I"m really torn (and he HATES having his picture taken, so there would be hardly anything to show for him :)~

June 15, 2009 at 1:31 PM

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