Music at a Funeral
Music is one element of a service that can have an emotional effect on the family and those attending the service. It can have a calming effect and an uplifting feeling as well. Music should be chosen to have meaning to both the deceased and the surviving family and friends.
At Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home we have resources that will meet the needs of our families. One option is live music that includes a baby grand piano and an Allen organ. We have access to several musicians that play these instruments as well as soloists to sing. If the family wishes to have a congregational hymn, we can display the words on a screen. We can download secular or sacred music to be played over our sound system or a music video may be displayed on a screen.
Sacred music is used to speak to the soul and to glorify God. Some old favorite hymns include: ‘’Amazing Grace’’, ‘’How Great Thou Art’’ and ‘’ In the Garden’’. Newer sacred songs played today are ‘’Great is Thy Faithfulness’’, ‘’It Is Well with My Soul’’ and ‘’I Can Only Imagine’’.
Secular music is non-religious and may come from, for example, some of today’s top movies or classical movies. Some secular songs include: ‘’Somewhere Over the Rainbow’’, ‘’Wind Beneath My Wings’’ and ‘’You Raise Me Up’’. Classical music played without singing can create an atmosphere of reflection and meditation, such as ‘’Aire On the G String’’ or ‘’Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring’’. We have had choirs sing for services, harpist, violinist, and bag pipers have added their talents to make a service special for a family.
We will tailor your request from Bach and Beethoven to Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill in order to provide just the right music for your loved one’s service.
-Greg Briscoe
