Hayley and Funeral Music

[nicola]

As most fo you know, my Nan died on Sunday, and we are arranging her funeral. My parents, knowing that my Nan liked Classical music, have left me to deal with the music.

This is unprecedented, as my parents are totally averse to classical music, and whenever I play something to them it sounds like 'screeching'. They are really closed minded about all my music as they just think it's all 'classical', so it's all screechy and boring.

But I have to say, I have really outdone myself this time. Of course, any thing I selected had to be approved by them, so how I managed to get Andrew Lloyd Webber, Hayley Westenra and Sarah McLachlan in, I will never know!

The story of me getting Hayley in is actually quite amusing. We were looking for a nice version of Amazing Grace. I was putting forward lots of different versions, whilst Dad was randomly typing in the song title in YouTube and seeing what came up.

Nicola: Mum, what about Hayley Westen -
Mum: No.
Nicola: But she's-
Mum: No. I don't like her.
Nicola: You haven't even heard...
Mum: NO.
Nicola: *defeated* Okay...

Ten minutes later, I went upstairs to grab more examples from my CD collection. Whilst I was upstairs, I heard a perfect beautiful version floating into my room from my Dad's computer downstairs. Suddenly they called from downstairs:

Mum & Dad: NICOLA!
Nicola: Yeah?
Mum: Amazing Grace by Hayley Westenra?
Nicola: ... I have it?
Mum & Dad: GO GET IT!

When I came down, they had goofy smiles on their face as they were watching, transfixed, at Hayley singing Amazing Grace live on Youtube. And that's how Hayley got in.

I also chose 'Pie Jesu', as I remember sitting down with my Nan listening to a CD I just brought her, and when that song came on she said 'I have always loved this song'. Had the issue of too many versions to choose from again, but in the end, I wanted children to sing it so it would sound more pure and neutral. I chose Libera's version. I got that in only because I insisted that Nan liked it. Otherwise, they didn't like it much ('I don't understand what it's saying!')

Lastly, I threw my 'Angelis' album at them (whatever happened to them?) Mum immediately liked 'Angel'. At the moment, it stands to take part, but my Dad doesn't like it much, so it's subject to change.


As I went through Hayley's material, there's many songs that are appropriate for funerals. Which ones would you choose?

[grant]

Hi Nicola

That's a great story. Amazing Grace was one of my mum's favourites so it was a natural choice for her funeral.

I have already chosen the hymn for my funeral. It just has to be "Abide With Me". I'm also considering "I Am A Thousand Winds".

I hope everything goes well at your nan's funeral - You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Love
Grant

[rockman]

Nicola

How about "Never say goodbye"?

Gerald

[nicola]

Hello Gerald,

Our songs have been picked. I was asking more which ones you would choose for funerals, or for your own. Would you pick 'Never Said Goodbye'?

Hey Grant,

Amazing Grace is also my mother's favourite. That's why it got in. My dad, meanwhile, likes the idea of it because a certain sci-fi character had the music for his funeral. I wonder how many of you know who that was?

I love the songs origin, but I have heard it too many times. I wouldn't like the song at my funeral, for example.

[Dean McCarten]

Hi Nicola,
How about Abide with Me?
Dean

[martindn]

Well, the classic for that has to be "I am a Thousand Winds" surely. That would have anyone in tears. Or perhaps "Listen to the Wind" is even better. I would be overjoyed to have either of those played at my funeral.

Martin

[socalboy]

About a year ago a friend chose Hayley’s “Heaven” for his wife’s funeral, and it was at my suggestion. Of course, she was relatively young and died prematurely, which is why “Heaven was particularly appropriate.

[milewalker]

There are a number of recordings by Hayley which I wouldnt mind being played at my funeral

Not all of them are the obvious choices either. - a song like Bright Eyes comes to mind.

Jon

[Jenny A]

Your story reminded me of me and my family. They're 70's rockers and don't care much for classical soprano singing.
I would have to recommend "Whispering Hope", "Abide With Me" and "I Am A Thousand Winds"

<3 Jenny

[Nordly]

Hi Nicola and everyone,

Great topic! I never really thought about my funeral music, and my funeral repotire would most likely include things like In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edgar Grieg and something by Holst, Beethove, Vivaldi, Bach, and Elgar.

However, if I were to have some of Hayley's songs played, I would choose songs with a nature theme, such as Listen to the Wind, A Thousand Winds, and Wings to Fly. And, of course, I'd have to have at least one of the Ansell duets. Other songs I would also consider are Wiegenlied, Laudate Dominium, My Heart and I, and Lascia Ch'io Pianga.

Maybe I'm being greedy, but I want my attendees to remember the music, not their sorrow!

~NL

[spiderman]

jon-- considering bright eyes is fivers lament at hazels death, i would have thought its a perfectly reasonable and appropriate choice for a song at a funeral

[Caitlin]

Hi Nicola-

I've actually been looking through Hayley's songbooks recently for music I should prepare for my Grandfather's funeral. Though he has not passed away he was not doing well at all and I thought I should start preparing to sing. I decided on "Prayer" and "I am A Thousand Winds." I am A Thousand Winds" is particularily close to my heart because the Native American Prayer with similar words was read at my Grandmother's funeral (his wife) and they both have a strong connection with Native Americans.

<3 Caitlin

[amptique]

Hi Nicola,

Great topic.

A friend recently died of lung cancer at only the age of 58 and we made a CD to play at her memorial service. It included Heaven and Amazing Grace. (She was also a rabid fan of the University of Kansas, so the Jayhawk fight song was also part of the memorial CD)

During the process of selecting the music, I told my wife and friends that I only wanted one song at my funeral and that was Prayer. If I could get Hayley to come and sing Prayer at my funeral, I would be good to go.

Bill

[nicola]

Hayley's "Amazing Grace" was played at my nan's funeral today, during the "reflection" period. Everyone thought it was beautiful.

Thank you, Hayley, for such a beautiful version. <3

[grant]

Hi Nicola

Jul 29, 2009 17:52:03 GMT nicola said:

Hayley's "Amazing Grace" was played at my nan's funeral today, during the "reflection" period. Everyone thought it was beautiful.

I'm very pleased to hear that Hayley helped the day pass peacefully.

Best wishes
Grant