Hampshire Funeral Singers blog: funeral news, funeral ideas, music suggestions for funeral - Hampshire Funeral Singers

A sleeper of a funeral song.

21/2/2017

A popular funeral song

This song has surprised us by being a popular request for funerals. Not usual for opera.

Lascia ch'io pianga (Let me weep)

The composer is George Frederick Handel, and I never thought that a Handel aria would prove such a hit with people. I think it goes to prove if you have a great tune, then it doesn't matter when it was written it appeals to people.

It’s all too high! Is it?

11/8/2016

Kevin Mayhew of Kevin Mayhew Publishing has started a debate on Hymn singing and the keys they are sung in. He says that many people say ‘We can’t sing up there’, and states that research shows the human singing voice has dropped over the last century.

Fascinating lives and eclectic music

23/3/2016

Cartoon image, pilot, gardener and show ground

One of the great joys of singing at funerals is hearing the eulogies - and discovering some amazing lives. We genuinely enjoy hearing of lives well lived, whether across the UK, abroad or within 5 miles of their final resting place. Of families raised, careers and jobs, and retirements enjoyed. Of battles fought both personal and medical, and not always won.

A funeral song for every day of the year

29/2/2016

Statistics do make interesting reading, whether it's the number of votes politicians receive, or the number of songs we've sung at funerals!

Is there consistency in funerals?

11/2/2016

cemetery in spring

Throughout the years we've been singing for funerals, no pattern for bookings has emerged. However, over the last months, one has emerged - bookings for the middle Friday of the month.

Big space, small space

20/1/2016

Professional funeral singers are able to adjust to all types of spaces, providing a great sound in any space.

One of the skills you learn at music college as a student of singing is to suit your voice to the music, and that includes volume. Singing a song with piano is obviously different to singing an aria with orchestra, for example. However, it;'s only experience that teaches you the art of self-regulating and adjusting your voice to different spaces as well. And it's not always about the size of the space either.

Who is a funeral for?

3/1/2016

Flower on Coffin

Who exactly is a funeral for? This may seem an obvious question, but the answer isn't quite so straightforward. We believe a funeral service should celebrate a life well lived, offering the family and those who attend the chance to remember, to reflect as well as say goodbye. Therefore, the choice of music, readings and tributes should reflect their choices.

"It's time to say goodbye…"

19/11/2015

pocket watch on pink background

Over the last four years, we've started to notice the trends in music played at funerals, with Adele exiting stage left to be replaced by Lilly Allen and others, but some classic pop versions last way beyond their moment in the charts.

Do not stand at my grave and weep

14/9/2015

angel statue in cemetery

This is a new favourite of ours, a great funeral poem set to wonderful music. We knew of the poem, but the musical setting only came to our notice last year.

New Repertoire

4/5/2014

Eagle with wings open against a blue sky

At Singers for Funerals, families often request is to learn new songs to sing at services. We've already built up a wide repertoire of songs for funerals, from sacred staples such as Ave Maria and The Old Rugged Cross to cross-over classics such as Over The Rainbow and We'll Meet Again, but we're always happy to learn more.