6 Popular pieces of funeral piano music
Funerals can vary greatly, depending on the likes and personalities of the person being memorialized. If your passed loved one enjoyed many a piano classic in their lifetime, you’ll know exactly which tracks will suit their tastes after reading this article. From Debussy to Elton John, we’ve looked through centuries of piano music to find the best options when it comes to choosing their final song.
Our Pick Of Classical Piano Music for a Funeral
- Gymnopédie No. 1, Erik Satie.
- Mad World, Dennis Korn.
- Liebestraum No. 3 in A-Flat Major, G541, Op. “62`: O Lieb So Lang` du Lieben Kannst”, Franz Liszt.
- Candle In the Wind (Piano Cover), The Secret Pianist.
- Nocturnes, Op.9: No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Frédéric Chopin
- Silence, Two Lanes.
Gymnopédie No. 1, Erik Satie.
Part of the epic Trois Gymnopédies, this composition is characterized by its nostalgic and bittersweet tone, established via the use of mild melodic dissonance. The effect this musical technique has in this composition is that it adds an evocation of melancholy. Originally, Satie titled Pt. 1 ‘Lent et Douloureux’, translating from French to mean ‘slow and painful,’ which we consider accurate. This tune is more suited to the funeral of a loved one who passed tragically or unexpectedly since this song would complement the emotions of funeral-goers.
St. Louis Brass Quintet and Clara Sverner are among the many amazing musicians who’ve given this composition a modern uplift.
Mad World, Dennis Korn
Famous covers
Gary Jules released an iconic version of this song, which was featured in the last scene of the 2001 film Donnie Darko.
Another great instrumental edition of Mad World was produced by Vitamin String Quartet, if you need a beautiful instrumental version but the Dennis Korn version doesn’t suit your loved one’s personality.
Originally a song by Tears for Fears, Mad World has been revolutionized by many great artists in the past forty years since the publication of the original single. Dennis Korn’s edition of this track brings new life to the original song, evoking a feeling of wistful sadness to the song. This tune could be played at any funeral, due to its relatable, sullen feel.
Liebestraum No. 3, Franz Liszt
Liebestraum No. 3 In A-Flat Major, G541, Op. “62: O Lieb So Lang Du Lieben Kannst”, Franz Liszt
This composition from the Liebestraum series is based on a poem written by Ferdinand Freiligrath in 1829. Liszt first composed an edition utilizing the poem in the lyrics of the vocals. For the Liebestraum (translation: ‘Dreams of Love’) series, these vocals were left out, leaving only the haunting melody of the piano for an emotive effect.
Candle In The Wind, The Secret Pianist
Famous covers
Any MaRLo fan would be well-honoured by the musician’s edition of this track.
Other covers are in great supply due to the popularity of the original Elton John track.
Candle in the Wind is a classic funeral song. Nothing evidence this fact better than the fact that Elton John was chosen to perform this song at the funeral of Princess Diana. What most people don’t know however is that the original version of this track was dedicated to the memory of Marilyn Monroe, before the 1997 edition came out in memoriam of Princess Diana. The Secret Pianist brings a great beauty to the track, with expert piano-playing lending to the melancholic feel. All of the above elements make this track perfect to commemorate the life of any person who was precious to you.
Nocturnes Op.9, No.1, Frédéric Chopin
Chopin is arguably the king of solo piano pieces, and this choice does not disappoint! Despite the title Nocturnes Op. 9, this was the first set of nocturnes Chopin published. Chopin’s characteristic rhythmic freedom is present in this track, with polyrhythms permeating the composition. Musically, this track is expertly composed and technically fluent, and emotionally, this track is vibrantly wistful and evocative.
Silence, Two Lanes
This track is the most recently released song on this list. Two Lanes is an up-and-coming band hailing from Berlin, Germany. They are known for utilizing melodic piano lines among ambient synthesizer elements. Silence features heavily the piano as the main element, calling back to the musical influences of the band: Debussy, Bach, and Schumann, among others. This tune is perfect to feature at the funeral of a neoclassical music enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the instrument they play at funerals?
A great number of different instruments can be used at funerals, from trumpets to the steelpan. The most commonly used instruments include the piano, the organ and bagpipes, which are usually used to commemorate military or police personnel.
Who provides the music at a funeral?
Most funeral homes and crematoria have a music player and speakers installed, upon which you can typically play CDs. However, some places may offer Bluetooth or wired connections to play music from phones. Otherwise, you can hire musicians in any instrumental practice you’d prefer. Some churches only allow their own organists to play for funerals however, so keep this in mind when picking a funeral venue.
Can I use a YouTube video at a funeral?
While it is likely possible to use a YouTube video for funeral music, this practice is advised against. Not all funeral homes, churches or crematoria can be relied on to provide WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity, which can lead to extra stress on an already saddening day. We’d recommend using Spotify (with downloaded songs) or a CD instead.