What Did They Play at Beethoven's Funeral?

conscious dying, eulogy, funeral music, funeral readings, grief, livingamyacunninghamJune 26, 2020 Comments

Song of Inspiration: "You Can Never Hold Back Spring" by Tom Waits

celebrants, funeral music, healing from lossAmy CunninghamMarch 16, 2020music

Funeral Nostalgia: A Mentor's Farewell to Marilyn

caskets, eulogy, flowers, funeral music, funeral readings, healing from lossamyacunninghamJanuary 4, 2020 Comment

Classic Funeral Hymn: "It Is Well with My Soul"

funeral musicamyacunninghamSeptember 15, 2019Comment

What Franz Schubert Requested as He Lay Dying

aging, celebrants, conscious dying, funeral music, grief, living, meditationamyacunninghamSeptember 9, 2019 Comment

From Perfunctory Transfer to Transformative Experience

celebrants, clergy, conscious dying, eulogy, flowers, funeral music, grief, healing from loss, livingamyacunninghamAugust 28, 2019 Comments

Funeral Nostalgia: The Farewell to Winston Churchill

caskets, flowers, funeral music, grief, livingamyacunninghamJune 11, 2019 Comment

Making "Danny Boy" New Again

aging, celebrants, clergy, eulogy, funeral music, funeral readings, grief, living, meditationamyacunninghamFebruary 11, 2019 Comment

Great Funeral Music: Tchaikovsky's "Andante Cantabile"

conscious dying, funeral music, grief, healing from lossamyacunninghamDecember 3, 2018 Comments

Good Funeral Music: "I'll Be Seeing You"

aging, funeral music, griefamyacunninghamJune 25, 2018the great generationComment

Good Funeral Music: New Twist on "My Way"

aging, funeral music, livingamyacunninghamMarch 22, 2018Comment

Good Irish Funeral Music: "Be Thou My Vision"

celebrants, clergy, eulogy, funeral music, funeral readings, grief, healing from loss, livingamyacunninghamNovember 17, 2017Comment

Marvin Hamlisch's "Memories" Magnified 600 Times

funeral musicamyacunninghamOctober 14, 2017Comment

A Song for Receiving Cremated Remains: "Bring Him Home"

funeral musicamyacunninghamSeptember 28, 2017Comment

Here's One Stunning 'Amazing Grace'

When we meet with musicians in the process of helping a family put a funeral together, we tell them "Don't worry about performing. It's not about being perfect. Your music is an offering in honor of the deceased and in support of the family." Jennifer Hudson hits the right balance and the high notes here at the service for the immortal Aretha Franklin.

clergy, eulogy, funeral music, griefAmy CunninghamFebruary 28, 2017

Good Funeral Music: Gabriel Faure’s "Pie Jesu"

funeral music, griefamyacunninghamOctober 17, 2016Comment

Song of Inspiration: "Smile, Though Your Heart Is Aching"

funeral music, griefamyacunninghamOctober 9, 2016 Comments

Great Funeral Music: "I Vow to Thee, My Country"

I was especially happy to hear the strains of "I Vow to Thee My Country" at the conclusion of Senator John McCain's service at the Washington National Cathedral. The original poem was set to music in the 1920s by Gustav Holst and is employed at every (no kidding) British Royal wedding or funeral (it was Lady Diana's favorite). Its lyrics are so patriotic that progressive members of the British clergy find them offensively nationalistic, but it was a great choice for the heroic senator and I confess to gasping with glee and relief when I recognized it, watching the televised service intently as the casket and family walked sadly but victoriously down the aisle.