FUNERALS

Bagpipes are traditionally played at funerals, memorials, and celebrations of life because you can feel the music reach into your soul. This powerful instrument has a long history of being used for storytelling, tributes, and military ceremonies. It can also help to structure the ceremony, by clarifying transitions and setting appropriate moods.

The most common times bagpipers play during memorial ceremonies include:

• during walk-in
• to alert guests that the ceremony is about to begin
• opening the ceremony
• creating a special moment of reflection
• closing the ceremony
• while transporting the deceased
• to commence the burial
• while guests scatter flowers or dirt onto the gravesite
• leading guests over to the reception

How to Choose Appropriate Music for a Funeral, Memorial, or Celebration of Life

There is no rule governing music choices for modern ceremonies, except for within churches (whose approval might be limited to songs from the hymnal). Often traditional music is used to enhance specific moods, but a host might also include the deceased person’s favorite song, a college anthem, military hymn, or even a bagpipe tune that was played at their wedding.

As far as traditional music goes, here are some selections cherished for expressing sadness, reverence, joy, forgiveness, appreciation, sailing forth, and saying goodbye.

BEST MUSIC FOR A FUNERAL SERVICE

• MacCrimmon Will Never Return (deeply sad traditional Scottish lament, good for processions and squeezing out tears, also used in a song by Korn)
• The Fair Maid of Barra (beautiful old Gaelic lament)
• The Mermaid’s Song (traditional Scottish lament) DEMO
• Amazing Grace (most popular choice, can be played very slowly or at singing tempo, around and around, before, during, or after the ceremony) DEMO
• Flowers of the Forest (stunning Scottish folk tune, uplifting as it climbs, and often played for military funerals) DEMO
• Sleep Dearie Sleep (Queen Elizabeth II funeral) DEMO
• Taps (slow and expressive bugle call traditionally played at military funerals)
• Going Home (traditional song played around and around during Scottish funeral processions)
• Abide With Me (well-loved church hymn played at funerals) DEMO
• MacIntosh’s Banner (Piobaireachd) DEMO

BEST MUSIC FOR BURIAL AT THE CEMETERY

• Amazing Grace (most popular) DEMO
• Hector the Hero (traditional Scottish lament that is reverent, not too heavy) DEMO
• The Dawning of the Day (old Irish song)
• Flowers of the Forest (stunning Scottish folk tune, uplifting as it climbs, and often played for military funerals) DEMO
• Sleep Dearie Sleep (Queen Elizabeth II funeral) DEMO

BEST MUSIC FOR A MEMORIAL SERVICE

• The Fair Maid of Barra (beautiful old Gaelic lament)
• The Mermaid’s Song (traditional Scottish lament) DEMO
• Amazing Grace (most popular choice, can be played very slowly or at singing tempo, around and around, before, during, or after the ceremony) DEMO
• Flowers of the Forest (stunning Scottish folk tune, uplifting as it climbs, and often played for military funerals) DEMO
• Hector the Hero (traditional Scottish lament that is reverent, not too heavy) DEMO
• Lovesong for Deborah Anne (modern Scottish love song) DEMO
• The Dawning of the Day (old Irish song) DEMO at fast tempo
• The Skye Boat Song (popular uplifting sendoff song, better known as the theme from Outlander)
• On Eagles Wings (modern devotional song by Michael Joncas, slightly modified on bapgipes)

BEST MUSIC FOR A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

• Amazing Grace (most popular choice, can be played very slowly or at singing tempo, around and around, before, during, or after the ceremony)
• Mist Covered Mountains (well-loved traditional Scottish song)
• My Home (old English folk song)
• Leaving of Liverpool (popular Celtic folk song) DEMO
• Coming Home (modern Canadian folk song)
• Lovesong for Deborah Anne (modern Scottish love song) DEMO
• The Skye Boat Song (popular sendoff, theme from Outlander) DEMO
• Mingulay Boat Song (uplifting Scottish sendoff song) DEMO
• Hector the Hero (traditional Scottish lament that is reverent, not too heavy) DEMO
• The Dawning of the Day (old Irish song) DEMO at fast tempo
• Wee Michael’s March (beautiful Scottish march by John McCusker)

Living in Santa Cruz means bagpiper Elise has spent a lot of time on the ocean, surfing and windsurfing. Nowadays having good sea legs helps Elise play bagpipes for ash scatterings on boats sailing out of Santa Cruz, Moss Landing, Monterey, and other San Francisco Bay Area harbors. Here are some of Elise’s favorite selections for playing far from land:

BEST MUSIC FOR AN ASH SCATTERING AT SEA

• The Mermaid’s Song (traditional Scottish lament) DEMO
• The Fair Maid of Barra (beautiful old Gaelic lament)
• The Skye Boat Song (popular sendoff, theme from Outlander) DEMO
• Mingulay Boat Song (uplifting Scottish sendoff song) DEMO
• Amazing Grace (most popular choice, can be played very slowly or at singing tempo, around and around, before, during, or after the ceremony) DEMO
• Taps (slow and expressive bugle call traditionally played at military funerals)
• Flowers of the Forest (stunning Scottish folk tune, uplifting as it climbs, and often played for military funerals) DEMO
• Hector the Hero (traditional Scottish lament that is reverent, not too heavy) DEMO
• The Dawning of the Day (old Irish song)

What About Hosting An Irish Wake?

Celtic band Charmas sings the old traditional Irish songs your grandparents loved, and plays traditional Irish ceili music.

Inquire about Money-Saving Package Deals including solo Great Highland Bagpiping plus:

• Solo Fiddling
• CHARMAS Celtic Trio