The number one song played at funerals will surprise you
When people in the UK die, most of them would like their mourners to look on the bright side of life, with little help from Eric Idle.
“Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from the film Monty Python's Life of Brian is the No.1 song people in the UK play at funerals.
In second and third place there are two hymns, “The Lord is My Shepherd” and “Abide with Me”.
It gets a bit weird with the theme tune to British sports show Match of the Day at number four.
A bizarre choice for the moment people are supposed to be mourning, but these songs are in fact real choices of the dying according to a survey conducted by Co-op Funeralcare in the UK based on over 30,000 funerals.
There are still a couple of tearjerkers in the top 10 – Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” takes out number five and Robbie Williams' heartfelt ballad “Angels” is at number seven.
The only conclusions that can be made of this list is that British people like to laugh in the face of death, or at least want their mourners to enjoy themselves.
The Co-op Funeralcare top 20 songs played at funerals in the UK.
1. “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” by Eric Idle from Monty Python's Life of Brian
2. “The Lord is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23/Crimond)
3. “Abide with Me” (traditional hymn)
4. “Match of the Day” (theme tune)
5. “My Way” by Frank Sinatra
6. “All Things Bright and Beautiful” (traditional hymn)
7. “Angels” by Robbie Williams
8. “Enigma Variations” by Nimrod Elgar
9. “You'll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers
10. “Soul Limbo” / Cricket Theme by Booker T. & the MG's
11. “Canon in D” by Pachelbel
12. “My Heart Will Go On” / Titanic theme tune by Celine Dion
13. “Last of the Summer Wine” (TV theme tune)
13. “Only Fools and Horses” (TV theme tune)
14. “Time to Say Goodbye” by Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli
15. “Four Seasons” by Vivaldi
16. “Ave Maria” by Schubert
17. “Coronation Street” (TV theme tune)
18. “You Raise Me Up” by Westlife
18. “Over the Rainbow” by Eva Cassidy
19. “World in Union” / Rugby Theme by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (and other versions)
20. “Nessun Dorma” by Puccini / Luciano Pavarotti
20. “Adagio” by Bizet / Albinoni
First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.
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