Don't want to be morbid, but.....

[Stormy]

When DH & I were at DLR this week the topic came up of music we would want at our funerals. Don't ask how we got on that topic, too convoluted to explain. Anyway, I told my DH that I wanted 'A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes' and 'When you Wish Upon a Star' played & sung at my funeral. Those songs have special meaning to me and I believe that wishes & dreams are an important part of life. My DH tends to be a pragmatic soul & believes hard work is all you need. He thought those songs would seem pretty silly at a funeral.

If it's not too morbid a subject...what do you think?

[Chesire]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

I know they have special meaning for you, but what meaning would they have at a funeral?

If you want a Disney song at your funeral, why not "You'll Be in My Heart" from Tarzan? It's message is basically saying don't cry, it'll be all right, I'll be here. Even though it doesn't have special meaning, it'd be a great song.

But if you really do want those two songs at your funeral, who's to object? It's your funeral, and you can do what you want.

[Disneytwins]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

Keep in mind that when people hear a song at a funeral, they end up thinking about the funeral every time afterwards. Thats just my experience.

[Druggas]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

I think it's a great idea!

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

Keep in mind that when people hear a song at a funeral, they end up thinking about the funeral every time afterwards. Thats just my experience.

This.

When I got married my mother insisted that Ave Maria be performed at our wedding. My ex was against it but reluctantly agreed. I finally went to my mother and stood my ground, not necessarily in support of my ex, but because every time I hear that song it reminds me of a funeral because of so many times I've heard it played there. Definitely not a wedding or a Christmas song for which it is sometimes used.

If I wanted a Disney song played at my funeral it probably would be Feed The Birds. Sort of a pay-it-forward type message. But then I wouldn't want my mourners to think of a funeral every time they watch Mary Poppins!

And something to keep in mind if you are Catholic. The music director at our church, who holds a doctorate in sacred music from USC, says that most Catholic Churches will not allow non-religious based music to be played in the church. So that leaves out most Disney songs. Although they probably could be played during the viewing at the mortuary. Of course then, the reference to the saints and apostles in Feed The Birds might give that one a pass, and maybe the song from Johnny Appleseed might be legitimate too.

[Malina]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

I think that if the point of a funeral should be to memorialize and celebrate your life and what you loved...you should have the songs you love, whatever they are. I think it's respectful to the deceased to respect their wishes and play the music they loved in life.

I've heard of Disney songs, "Over the Rainbow," heavy metal and all sorts of other stuff being played at funerals. If you want those two songs, you should have them! Depending on your religion you might not get them at the church or synagogue, but you can certainly do them at the funeral home, or perhaps graveside.

For me, I've requested that I don't want a funeral, I just want everyone to go out and have a dance party or something for me.

[TONY THE BEAT]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

I like it. After all I want, "Crazy train" by Ozzy Osbourne played at mine.

[AlohaStitch]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

One of my friends was Frank-N-Furter at the local RHPS floor show. When he passed there was a huge pic of him as Frankie and the song played was "I'm going home." Not a dry eye in the house. Not sure of a song for mine, but I know that I want to be cremated in my jedi robes.

[orbitalpunk]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

I would play "Its a great big beautiful tomorrow" and give them one last laugh.

[Stormy]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

Thanks for your thoughts. I always associate songs with people, not so much with occasions. At my Dad's funeral we sang the beautiful old hymn 'In the Garden'. When I hear it now I don't think of his funeral, but I do think of my Dad. Same with my cousin, who died young. Her husband requested 'Three Times a Lady' be played and when I hear it I think of her, not her death.

At any rate, we're all too young to think of these things now, right? As long as they don't play 'Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead' I guess I won't haunt anybody!

[IzzyInWonderland]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

The way I see it, funerals or memorial services as I like to call them, shouldn't be so much a time of grieving as it should be a celebration of that persons life. If those songs held special meaning for you, then that is a representation of your life on this earth and who cares what anyone else says. Do what you want!

[Sunshine711]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

Haha, I like this thread. My sister wants "another one bites the dust" at hers. Since I'm older, I hope to not be there, but kinda want to see the reactions of family and other people she may collect by then. I've kinda always wanted "Grimm Grinning Ghosts" because I love that song.

[mickeyblue]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

As much as I love Disney, I hadn't thought of my family playing a Disney song at my funeral.

I've told my kids (23, 18, and 16) for the last couple of years that I want "Happy" by the Rolling Stones. They're like "Ok". Only because I love the song-not for any message.

I say you should have your choice as to what's played.

[Barbaraann]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

My brother wanted "Sounds of Silence" played at his funeral, because he loved the song and the movie The Graduate. My brother died in 1994, and they honored his wishes. I do think of my brother first, and then his funeral when I hear the song.

Personally, I don't have a request for my own passing. Gives me something to think about.

[gatheringrosebuds]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

I would play "Its a great big beautiful tomorrow" and give them one last laugh.

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:lol:

[Retrocool]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

That reminds me, I need to write down my funeral song playlist. I have a handful of songs that are really special to me that I'd like to have played when I kick the bucket, but sometimes I forget which ones they are, so...yeah, I need to write down the list.

[Mr. Disney]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

It's funny how I was thinking about that the other day (I was watching a very depressing German indie film)... Anyway...

I can think of a couple of songs that I'd like to be played at my funeral... one of them is probably Unchained Melody (I have a special connection with that song) and also... Part of Your World... I think my family would somehow play them even If I didn't tell them to... those songs make them think of me. And I agree with the other board member, I think it makes one remember the person, not the ocassion.

But maybe it can be played at the afterparty :P

[MichellenMickeyM]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

Terry Jacks - Seasons in the Sun

"We had joy we had fun, we had seasons in the sun"

[aashee]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

My funeral isn't about me, it's the people who have to go on without me. If there's a song that makes them think about me or brings a smile to their face, by all means play it. That being said, if there was a song I loved and it was played at a funeral more than likely it would bring sadness to me.

[PLAZAINN1]

Re: Don't want to be morbid, but.....

I would play "Its a great big beautiful tomorrow" and give them one last laugh.

awesome song choice. Love that song