Music for your memorial

Peaches

Peaches

Well-Known Member
So as to not further hijack a different thread...

Have you thought about, or picked out, music to be played at your memorial/funeral?

I've been making note of songs since I was in 9th or 10th grade, and I'm up to 6.

  • I'll Fly Away (Allison Kraus)--because I love the idea of "celebrating" death as a release, and a freedom
  • Say Hallelujah (Tracy Chapman)--for the same reasons as above
  • Oblivion, and Soledad (written by Piazzolla, chosen version performed by Quintango)--I love the melancholy of them
  • Canon in D (Pachelbel--sp?)--I was born to this piece of music, it was played at my wedding, and is generally a very special piece of music for me. I want it played one last time, at a very special time.
  • Intermezzo-Adagio, from Tocatta, Adagio and Fugue in C, BWV 564 (by J.S. Bach--haven't picked out what version yet, but it's got to be a phenomenal organ performance)--this is the song that started it all. It's the first one I picked out for the occasion when I was in high school. I love the dignity, and solemnity, and melancholy of it. And, it's Bach, and it's beautiful.
 
Our son was proud of the Irish quarter of his heritage (1/2 Mexican, 7/32 Irish, 1/4 Scottish, 1/32 German), so we played Irish music and a singer sang "Danny Boy". It's been a while since I've heard it, but I probably will still have to leave the room when it's played.

I'll probably have a piper at mine.

Alba gu brath.

PS
The games are usually held here on Memorial Day weekend. One year at the closing ceremony a piper played "Going Home", which was rather moving. Dvorak used it in the Largo of his New World Symphony.
 
I just remembered another one...

Now Comes the Gentiles' Saviour (J.S. Bach, transcribed by Busoni, no idea of a version yet)--I can't actually remember the original German name. I just love this piece, and it's so...dignified...tranquil...and joyful and celbratory in an odd way.
 
Wow Peach! For me, I think Celia Cruz's La Vida es un Carnival is likely to be 'the one'. ;)

This thread also reminded about this story I recently read. It got me thinking that the guy had a point. How lovely it would be to be, if it were possible, to attend YOUR service.


Why I will be at my own wake

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When you are told you have just months to live what do you do? Andy Fitchett, 56, decided to organise his own wake and is hosting it.

I'm a lucky man and have had a lucky life. Many people don't get a chance to say goodbye to people when they die but I have.
Others never live a life as long and happy as mine when they pass away. Take a 12-year-old killed in a car crash, they don't get a chance to live their life or say goodbye.

When I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer I was planning a new life in Majorca. I'd bought two bars and was getting everything ready.

No emotion
A week after returning to the UK from a trip over there my chest started hurting and I was rushed into hospital with a suspected heart attack.
After eight-days of tests they told me I had a tumour on my lung and the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in my neck. I had six months to live.
For days I was numb, I couldn't tell you what I felt because I felt no emotion at all. Then I realised I had two choices, I could sit in a corner and wait to die or I could get my life in order and enjoy what time I had left.

o.gif
I can't imagine looking people in the eye knowing it is the last time I will see many of them.

My priority was my two grown-up daughters, they were devastated when I told them. Things were made harder by the fact my wife - their mother - died 10 years ago of liver failure.

I wanted to make it as easy for them as I could, so I've planned everything down to a list of people to call when I die and have paid for my funeral.
Sorting all my stuff out made me start to think about all the people who had come into my life and touched it. You meet loads of people, make lots of friends but sometimes you don't stay in touch, despite having the best of intentions.

I realised I wanted to thank them all for being part of my life and being my friend, that's why I decided to organise and go to my own wake. The next day I also want to ring up those who don't turn up and ask why, as a joke.

Strength
I do consider myself lucky and have had a hell of a life compared to some other people. My wake is not about mourning my loss, it is about celebrating that life. I have a chance to do that and others don't.

o.gif
I don't see myself as brave, people die everyday - I am grateful for the time I have left and want to make the most of it

My wake is on 17 March, I have been given until May to live. It will be at Swindon Town Football Club. I have always been a supporter so it seemed a fitting place to hold it. I'm selling tickets and will give the money to charity.
There's a disco and a charity auction, but the rest of the evening will be off-the-cuff. I just want it to be a happy night.

I will stand up and say a few words during the evening and I know that's when the emotion will really kick in. I can't imagine looking people in the eye knowing it is the last time I will see many of them.

People's reaction to what I am doing has been superb. My daughters say they have taken strength from my attitude. Someone I met at the football club the other day asked me if I was "the Andy". When I said yes he showed me his diary, in big letters he had written "inspirational man" under 17 March. He wanted eight tickets for the wake, which made me happy. I find it all a bit baffling and don't understand what all the fuss is about. I don't see myself as brave, people die everyday. I am grateful for the time I have left and want to make the most of it. I just want to say thank you.
Click to expand...
 
The one piece of music I know I want to be played at my memorial service is "Catherine _____" by Bill Maraschiello. It's a beautiful song, and , yes, it was written for me.
 
Pacion said:
This thread also reminded about this story I recently read. It got me thinking that the guy had a point. How lovely it would be to be, if it were possible, to attend YOUR service.
Click to expand...
A couple of years ago, my uncle learned he had only a short time to live. His birthday was coming up within a month of hearing the news, so my father (his brother) pulled together a special birthday party. We had it at my house because of size and location. No speeches, no presentations, just an opportunity for people to be together, coming from as far away as England. Some of the guests brought old photo albums and other memorabilia. He was still relatively mobile and mentally sharp and enjoyed the day very much. He spent most of it talking to his siblings (3 sisters and 2 brothers). Before everyone left that day, we gathered on the front porch for a photo, and DH immediately printed copies for people to take with them (I keep a copy at work where I can see it every day). When my uncle died a couple of months later, my aunt chose not to have a memorial service, because the family had made such efforts to come together while he was still alive. It was good ...
 
Run by Snow Patrol
Crystal Ship by The Doors

Lots more... for some strange reason. I just have to think for awhile.
 
Drink With Me from Les Miserables

Drink with me to days gone by
Sing with me the songs we knew
Here's to pretty girls who went to our heads.
Here's to witty girls who went to out beds.
Here's to them and here's to you!
...
Drink with me to days gone by
To the life that used to be
At the shrine of friendship, never say die
Let the wine of friendship never run dry
Here's to you and here's to me
 
i love your picks, peach! beautiful music...

am not in the least interesting in imagining any aspect of my funeral at this point... when i'm ready to cross over, sure... but not today... personally, am keeping my eyes firmly fixed on what music to play while i'm alive...
 
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