Hearing the sound of Bagpipes at a funeral is a moving experience - regardless of race or religion. For hundreds of years the tradition of Bagpipes have added respect and dignity to an emotional and loving farewell for a departed loved one.
Although there are many different Bagpipe funeral and memorial tunes that can be played during a funeral service, out of respect, what matters most is what the family would like to hear and experience and I will play for them.
I can play the Bagpipes at the funeral home, cemetery or the church. I play my Smallpipes which are quieter in sound for background music that can be played inside. There are also situations where there may be no cemetery service. In that case, I will play before and after the church ceremony.
Usually, I play as your funeral procession arrives at the cemetery. I will play until the casket is in place at the grave. After the religious ceremony, the military honors (if any) and any speakers then I will play the Bagpipes with closing music from the selections below or anything the family prefers. I play until the last person has placed their flower on the casket, paid their final respects and walks away from the casket.
Here are some funeral Bagpipe options to consider:
- Playing at the funeral home viewing (with Smallpipes)
- Playing as the hearse arrives at church from the funeral home or family home.
- Playing during the mass or ceremony if requested
- Playing at the end of the mass or ceremony as the casket is taken to the hearse
- Playing in front of the hearse when it arrives at the cemetery
- Playing ‘Amazing Grace’ or other requested tune / hymn after graveside ceremony
Here are a few music selections that can be played at Funerals, Memorial Services, and Cremation Services.
- Amazing Grace
- Irish soldier boy
- Danny Boy
- Going Home
- Dawning of the Day
- Fields of Athenry
- Raglan Road
- Abide With Me
- Nearer My God To Thee
- The Flowers of the Forrest
- The Mist Covered Mountains
- The Skye Boat Song
- The Dark Island
- Minstrel Boy
- Kelly the Boy from Killarney
- The Marine Corps Hymn
- Balmoral
- The Rowan Tree
- Flett from Flotta
- Liberty Polka
- Battle of Waterloo
Call me, Rod MacCloud, 732-642-3076 to arrange Bagpipe Music for your departed loved one.