MUSIC

 

The choice of music for a funeral is one of the most important aspects of the ceremony. The music, whether modern or classical, should ideally be in keeping with the taste of the person who has died, whilst also providing comfort to the bereaved. We can offer help, advice and suggestions for music of all kinds.

Some families like to use a recording, but many prefer to hear the music performed live. If you engage some musicians for the ceremony, they will not only be able to perform the music you have chosen, but will also be able to lead the hymn singing, if it is to be a religious ceremony - few of us feel inspired to sing at the funeral of a friend or relative.
 

Even a very small choir – of just four voices – will make an enormous difference to any funeral. At

Albins we are able to arrange first-class choirs, with singers taken from a pool of professional musicians from London’s top cathedrals and churches, including St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, and accompanied by organists of a similar calibre. All are sensitive and discreet, providing immaculate music-making in a gentle and understated manner.

We can also supply harpists, trumpeters, Irish and Scottish pipers, other solo instrumentalists (such as flautists, violinists etc), brass, wind and string ensembles (such as funeral trumpets and muffled drums, string quartets etc) and even marching jazz bands.

For further information please call you arranger, or if you prefer you can contact our own David Guest directly on 07830 386875

These are some examples of music that can be used:
 

Hymns

* Abide with me
*Dear Lord and Father of
mankind
* Make me a channel of your peace
* Lead us, heavenly Father,
lead us
* The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want
* Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
* Thine be the glory, risen
conquering son

Religious

* Nunc dimittis (Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart ) – T Tallis
* Soave sia il vento (The Farewell Trio), from Cosi fan tutte – WA Mozart
* Thou knowest, Lord, from Funeral music for Queen Mary (1695) – H Purcell
* Ave Maria – R Parsons or F Schubert
* Panis angelicus – C Franck

Modern

* You raise me up – Josh Groban
* The wind beneath my wings – Bette Midler
* We’ll meet again – Vera Lynn
* Over the rainbow – Eva Cassidy
* Candle in the wind - Elton John 
* Con te partiro (Time to say goodbye) – Andrea Bocelli
* Nella fantasia (Gabriel’s Oboe) – Ennio Morricone
* No matter what – Boyzone

Classical

* Going home (Theme from New World Symphony) – A Dvorak
* Nessun dorma, from Turandot – G Puccini
* O mio babbino caro, from Gianni Schicchi – G Puccini
* Va pensiero (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves), from Nabucco – G Verdi
* Danny boy – traditional Irish
* When I am laid in earth –
H Purcell