Song For a Memorial Service

[Dollie]

I have to organise a memorial service in June for assorted families of people who have died this year. We have a brilliant male singer who is coming to perform whilst the relatives light a candle each in memory of their loved one. Can you think of an appropriate song (non-religious) that could be sung during this time - modern day or older - it matters not - as long as its 'appropriate' thanks.

[zara 4]

Are you talking hymns or something chart.

[Dollie]

Not hymns zara - something meaningful - something like Wind Beneath My Wings - but not as cheesy as that (if you know what I mean!) Thanks

[Philtaz]

Here are a few that spring to mind:

For Always from the A.I. soundtrack

All Coming Back To Me Now by Celine Dion.

I Will Find You by Clannad, from the Last Of The Mohicans soundtrack.

[Philtaz]

Listen to a sample of the A.I track here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005LLVS/qid=1141339662/sr=2-3/ref=sr_2_11_3/203-5760109-6161511

[Philtaz]

Can't find a link for the Clannad track, it's under a different name on the LOTM soundtrack. It's on the Clannad album Banba.

Here are the lyrics:
Hope is your survival
A captive path I lead

Chorus 1:
No matter where you go
I will find you
If it takes a long, long time
No matter where you go
I will find you
If it takes a thousand years

Nachgochema anetaha
Anachemowagan

Chorus 2:
No matter where you go
I will find you
In a place with no frontiers
No matter where you go
I will find you
If it takes a thousand years

Hale w� yu ga i sv
Do na dio sv i
Wi ja lo sv
Ha le w� yu
Do na dlo sv

(Chorus 1 & 2)

No matter where you go
I will find you
No matter where you go
No matter where you go
I will find you

It was used at the funeral service of a soldier I attended(one of the 6 Royal Military Policemen murdered in Iraq) and is a really beautiful piece of music.

Another I would consider is the Faith Hill track from Pearl Harbour, There You'll Be.

[Philtaz]

Lyrics for Faith Hill:

When I think back
On these times
And the dreams
We left behind
I'll be glad 'cause
I was blessed to get
To have you in my life
When I look back
On these days
I'll look and see your face
You were right there for me

[CHORUS:]
In my dreams
I'll always see your soul
Above the sky
In my heart
There always be a place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be

Well you showed me
How it feels
To feel the sky
Within my reach
And I always
Will remember all
The strength you
Gave to me
Your love made me
Make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You were right there for me

[Repeat chorus]

'Cause I always saw in you
My light, my strength
And I want to thank you
Now for all the ways
You were right there for me
You were right there for me
For always

[rugeleyboy]

i recently went to a funeral for an old school friend and her kids got the church to play goodbye my lover by james blunt.

i cant stand him, but it was really fitting for the moment and it made the biggest of men shed a tear!

[Philtaz]

Lyrics for Lara Fabian, For Always:

I close my eyes
And there in the shadows I see your light
You come to me out of my dreams across
The night

You take my hand
Though you may be so many stars away
I know that our spirits and souls are one
We've circled the moon and we've touched the sun
So here we'll stay

For Always
Forever
Beyond here and unto eternity
For Always
Forever
For us there's no time and no space
No barrier love won't erase
Wherever you will go
I will know in my heart you will be
With me

From this day on
I'm certain that we'll never be alone
I know what my heart must have always known
That love has a power that's all it's own

And for always
Forever
Now we can fly

And for always
and always
We will go on beyond goodbye

For Always
Forever
Beyond here and on to eternity
For Always
And ever
You'll be a part of me

And For Always
Forever
One thousand tomorrows may cross the sky
And for always
And always
We will go on beyond goodbye

[Mxfan]

"Somewhere over a rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

This is a beautiful song that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. This may be difficult for the male singer to sing but it is so uplifting and may bring some cheer to those who are grieving. If you haven't heard this song it is worth listening to.

The song features in the movie 50 first dates.

[JustSia]

Dust in the Wind - Kansas

Stairway to Heaven - Eagles.

Mind you, a mate of mine requested Highway to Hell by AC/DC to be sang at his funeral. The guy always had a great sense of humour.

S.

[jimboy2]

this is my first post so am not sure if i am doing this right but i know a few songs which could be fitting

there are so many to choose from ...

rufus wainright hallelujah

death cab for cutie (dcfc) a lack of colour

dcfc all is full of love

elliot smith twilight

sigur ros staralfur

peter gabriel & kate bush dont give up

counting crows colourblind

nada surf if you leave

madonna xstatic progress/process cant reember exact name!
moby god is moving over the water

try them and if you need some more you could email me [email protected]

[zara 4]

Well i'm having "Scorpions" wind of change,and,"Ozzy" dreamer,for mine,Not for a long time though i hope.

[Alibobs]

I've lost two dear friends in their forties this past year.

One had Percy Sledge - Stand by Me played at her memorial service - she chose this herself.

My second friend died suddenly - her teenage daughter chose John Lennon - In my Life as one of the songs played

There are places I�ll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I�ve loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I�ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I�ll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

Though I know I�ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I�ll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more

[Noddi_92]

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah

its just a beautiful song

[Claireabelle]

Cheezy or not, "wind beneath the wings" hits the spot. Played it for my mum's service (again, non-religious) and it was perfect. However, we did always watch beaches together and she loved bette midler, so it was a personal touch...

What about some instrumental stuff..?

[joko]

eva cassidy has some amazing stuff - check out her album

[Dollie]

Thank you all - good answers and good songs - I've gone with the Faith Hill one. Cheers, Dollie