Music graphicMusic is arguably the most moving part of a goodbye celebration. Pick you own tunes ahead of time and your loved ones will forever be grateful. Your spirit will be so present — they will recognize you and feel blessed to bear witness to your life in a way they can relate to and will remember. It will make them smile, and here at I Want a Fun Funeral, that’s what we want more of.

One friend told me about the playing of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (at 17+ mins, no less) at her brother-in-law’s funeral. THIS IS WHAT WE’RE AFTER, folks! Not because it’s radical, or kills a lot of time (no pun intended), but because it’s what the guy was about.

So don’t think hymns and organ music if that’s not what floats your boat. Here are some of the most popular songs being played at funerals these days. (And even these are somewhat traditional.)

• My Way – Frank Sinatra
• Eric Idle (Monty Python) Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
• Andrea Bocelli – Time to Say Goodbye
• Bette Midler – Wing Beneath My Wings
• Eva Cassidy -Over the Rainbow
• Robbie Williams – Angels
• The Beatles – In My Life
• Josh Grobin – You Raise Me Up
• Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time

For the record, I’m a total Always Look on the Bright Side of Life gal.