Music for Funerals

Is Live Music Suitable at a Funeral?

Including live music at a solemn occasion, like a funeral, can serve as a way to pay tribute and commemorate the individual’s life. Having a beautiful melody performed during the service by a musician or group of musicians can be a comfort to those in attendance.

If your loved one had a favourite song with special meaning, having it performed live can create a bittersweet and fitting moment. Additionally, if they had a particular taste in music, like a love for jazz, hiring a jazz band can be a fitting and meaningful way to honour their life.

What type of music suits funerals and memorial events?

Classical music, jazz, and contemporary modern music are commonly chosen for memorial services and funerals due to their relaxing and comforting nature.

The music selection for the funeral is typically made in collaboration with the deceased’s family and is chosen to complement the venue and surroundings of the funeral location. There are many popular choices for music, befitting a more sombre event.

Popular entertainment choices for funerals include acts such as:

• String Quartets
• Solo Violinists
• Solo Pianists
• Singers, Choirs & Vocal Groups
• Harpists
• Trad / Dixieland Jazz Bands

What are the most popular songs to play at funerals?

The songs below are some popular funeral songs to consider when selecting your music.

Popular Older/Traditional Funeral Songs and Artists:

• Ave Maria – Schubert
• My Way – Frank Sinatra
• Loius Armstrong – Wonderful World
• The Four Seasons – Vivaldi
• Enigma Variations – Elgar
• Barber – Adagio for Strings

Popular Modern Funeral Songs and Artists:

• Angels – Robbie Williams
• Luther Vandross – Dance With My Father
• Mariah Carey – Hero
• See You Again – Charlie Puth
• Let It Be – The Beatles
• My Way – Frank Sinatra
• Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven
• Elton John – Candle in the Wind

If you have a specific song you’d like to hear during the funeral, our funeral acts will be happy to include it in the quote.

When making decisions about songs for funerals, it may be necessary to speak with the funeral director or church minister to ensure their approval of hiring musicians and the musical choices. Not all songs have to be slow and mournful, and an uplifting funeral song can work well.

When is funeral music played during the service?

A song for the entrance and departure is common practice; however, depending on the schedule, it can be appropriate to intersperse the music between readings or speeches.

How long should I hire a musician for a funeral?

Bands and musicians are often hired to perform during the wake or reception following a funeral service, depending on the type of service. This typically lasts for a duration of 2-3 hours, which is a comfortable length of time for musicians to perform.

You may also only wish to book someone for a short period of time, for example, as guests arrive at the venue and are seated. This is perfectly fine and something our musicians are happy to accommodate.

How much does it cost to hire musicians to play at funerals?

Our acts will typically quote an hourly rate for their services or provide a bespoke quote based on any providing timings or schedule. An hour-long booking for a solo musician will cost around £200-300, with additional hours generally being charged between £50-100 per hour. For acts with multiple musicians, rates tend to fall between £400 & £1000.