The top tune for a funeral in 2021 is ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ by Gerry & The Pacemakers, according to research by the Co-op Funeral Group based on approximately 100,000 funerals carried out by its funeral directors.
There are no traditional hymns in the top 10 and controversial requests include ‘W.A.P’ by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion and ‘Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead’.
‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ replaced Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ at the top spot. It has been played at an estimated 9,500 funerals over the past 12 months.
Simply the Best
The chart featured upbeat anthems too, such as Tina Turner’s ‘Simply the Best’, ‘The Chain’ by Fleetwood Mac and ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman. New entries included the artists Snow Patrol, Freya Ridings, Amy Winehouse and Christina Perri.
‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was number one in the charts for four weeks in 1963. It also featured in the charts last year when Michael Ball, Sir Captain Tom Moore and the NHS Voices of Car Choir to raise money for NHS charities.
The song is also the anthem for Liverpool and Celtic Football Clubs.
Other controversial songs that Co-op funeral directors have been asked for include ‘Ha Ha You’re Dead’ by Green Day. Songs that might be controversial are often refused by a third party, such as the venue or the person ordaining the funeral.
Film classics popular
Film classics are also popular such as ‘My Heart Will Go On’ by Celine Dion from the Titanic and Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ from the Bodyguard. Bagpipes, organists and buglers often feature too.
The restrictions imposed on funerals because of the pandemic meant that the way music was played at them changed in some instances, with pre-recorded music the most popular way to play music at send-offs.
Sam Tyrer, the managing director of Co-op Funeralcare, said: “The songs we choose for a funeral all hold unique and personal meaning for ourselves and loved ones but naturally some songs remain more popular than others… Each element of a funeral is a very personal choice and we’re encouraging the nation to be more open about their funeral wishes – music is a really simple and comforting place to start.”
Overall top 10
1 You’ll never walk alone Gerry & The Pacemakers
2 My Way Frank Sinatra
3 Always look on the bright side of life Eric Idle
4 Simply the best Tina Turner
5 Supermarket Flowers Ed Sheeran
6 Time to Say Goodbye Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
7 The Chain Fleetwood Mac
8 Somewhere Over the Rainbow Eva Cassidy
9 We’ll Meet Again Vera Lynn
10 This is Me The Greatest Showman
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