Top 10 Strangest Funeral Songs
So much for "Amazing Grace" or an age-old hymn sung to a melody composed by Chopin or Bach and played on a majestic pipe organ. Loved ones who are planning funerals today are opting for rock music and electric guitar riffs, according to a new poll of more than 45,000 people across Europe that was conducted by the digital TV station Music Choice.
Why? Music is part of our popular culture, and families like to play something they associate with the deceased. London's Times Online reports that the trend to choose popular tunes over classical music at funerals has been growing since the 1960s. So instead of "Abide With Me," the congregation will stand and join in a rousing version of Queen's "The Show Must Go On." Alan Slater of the National Association of Funeral Directors told the Times Online, "We live in a much more secular society, and as a result we have seen a change to music content at funerals."
The top 10 favorite funeral songs in Europe:
1. Queen's "The Show Must Go On"
2. Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven"
3. AC/DC's "Highway to Hell"
4. Frank Sinatra's "My Way"
5. Mozart's "Requiem"
6. Robbie Williams' "Angels"
7. Queen's "Who Wants to Live Forever"
8. The Beatles's "Let It Be"
9. Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters"
10. U2's "With or Without You"
Source: Music Choice
Choosing the music that will be played at your funeral is a way to express your personality one last time. "Wanting to share your most treasured musical gem with those you're leaving behind is the perfect way to sign off and leave a lasting impression," Music Choice music and marketing manager Simon George told the BBC News.
Call it the last song you'll never hear.
