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UK News

Monty Python hit named most popular funeral song

Despite traditional hymns 'The Lord is My Shepherd' and 'Abide with Me' taking 2nd and 3rd respectively the top 10 list features a host of pop songs and TV theme tunes.

The list came out of a survey by the Co-operative Funeralcare which looked at over 30,000 funerals to see different trends.

Top 10 most popular funeral songs

1. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

2. The Lord is My Shepherd

3. Abide with Me

4. Match of the Day theme

5. My Way

6. All Things Bright and Beautiful

7. Angels

8. Enigma Variations

9. You'll Never Walk Alone

10. Cricket Theme/Soul Limbo

The survey found more and more people are moving away from traditional hymns and are using secular music instead.

A third of funeral homes had also received unusual or quirky requests, which included things like the desire for fancy dress or alternative transport for the coffin.

A spokesman for The Co-operative said: "There's been general shift towards people trying to find some way of celebrating the life of their loved ones, whether through the choice of music or in other ways.

"It's not mainstream, but in the past it would have been totally frowned on. "

David Guest from the Funeral Music Company regularly helps families and friends choose what songs to use in the memorial services for loved ones.

Speaking on Premier's News Hour he suggested he hadn't particularly seen a change in trend but believes secular songs can work in a funeral setting.

He said: "It works extremely well providing it's done appropriately.

"The best time for that is at the very end of the service. The religious part is over and you're moving out of the church.

"Two or three years ago we were asked to perform 'Build me up buttercup' because it reflected the person who died, it didn't interfere with the liturgy and actually worked really well."

However he said traditional hymns still prove popular: "I find these days at a time of bereavement that people go back to the familiar hymns that they know.

"The hymns will be those that have been known since schools. You might have 'Praise My Soul the King of Heaven' and 'I Vow to Thee my Country' often turns up at funerals."

The survey also found fewer songs are being refused on the grounds of taste.

In 2012, one in four funeral homes reported a declined music request while the figure has now dropped to 16% nationwide suggesting churches are becoming more open to secular demands.

Listen to David Guest speaking to Premier's Des Busteed about secular songs at funerals:

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