Choosing Music for a Service
Christman's Funeral Home, Inc. • May 15, 2023

When making arrangements for a funeral or memorial, you want to consider the music. Christman's Funeral Home, Inc. can tell you more about how to choose.

funeral homes in Lebanon, PA

If you are making funerary arrangements for a loved one who has died, you want to consider the music that you choose for the service. This is something that can take a bit of thought, since there are lots of options. If you are not sure about what to choose or how to narrow down choices, there are some tips that directors of funeral homes in Lebanon, PA want you to remember. 


 Consider the deceased's musical tastes. It is important to choose music that reflects the deceased's personal preferences and tastes. If you are not sure, you can ask their family or close friends for suggestions. If they did not like classical music or if they were not religious, it can be wrong to have that type of music at the service. 


 Consider the attendees of the service, as well, and choose music that is appropriate for the audience. If it is a religious service, choose music that is spiritual or hymnal. If it is a secular service, choose music that is more contemporary. If you choose to have secular pieces playing, you definitely want to take the time to read the lyrics. Even if you have heard the piece many times, you still want to have a good idea of the lyrics so that you can know if they are appropriate or not. If you realize that the lyrics are not appropriate, but you still want to have the melody at the service, choose an instrumental version of the piece. That can be the perfect solution for that kind of issue. 


 You want to think about the kind of service you will have. If you want to have a traditional service, you do not want to choose the same kind of music that you would have for a celebration of life. Think about whether you want the service to be religious or secular, as well, since that can help you make some choices. You want to remember this as you start. 


Some popular choices for funeral music include classical pieces such as "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber or "Ave Maria" by Franz Schubert, hymns such as "Amazing Grace" or "How Great Thou Art", or contemporary songs such as "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion or "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler. Ultimately, the choice of music should be a reflection of the deceased and their life, and bring comfort to those in attendance. 


These are some important things you want to remember when getting ready to find the right kind of music for a loved one’s service. You always want to be certain you know what options the person would have chosen for themselves and that you take into consideration the kind of service you want to offer them. If you want to add secular pieces, be sure to consider the lyrics. To learn more about all of this, you can reach out to a Lebanon, PA funeral home like us. We are here to help you with all of the decisions you need to make for a loved one, so do not wait to reach out to us. Call us right now or stop by our location to speak with one of our experts about the options available.



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