Non-Religious Song Ideas For A Funeral?

[MorningStar]

I found out my aunt passed away this morning and we're going to have a memorial service the day after tomorrow.  She wasn't religious at all, but I would love to sing something.  Any ideas?  She loved nature, animals, and Native American culture.  I would just play something on the piano, but don't know if there will be one available. 

[Garden Girl]

How about "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"... can't remember all of the words... you might want to check them out...

 

GG

[sunstoned]

Amazing Grace.  This is religious, but not Mormon at all.  It is a beautiful song.

Edited August 27, 2015 by sunstoned

[bluebell]

I've been to a few cowboy funerals where "country road, take me home" was very popular.  It doesn't sound like your aunt was the cowboy type though.  Hmmm.....  I've been to one where someone played Jim Brickman's "Angel Eyes" on the piano and it was very pretty.

[MorningStar]

Thank you!  She was very into classical music.  I was thinking "Going Home" might be acceptable. 

[Guest]

Amazing Grace.  This is religious, but not Mormon at all.  It is a beautiful song.

Having sang that song in Church 1,000's of time growing up and then converting to the LDS Church 36 years ago...it is just as Mormon as anything else. Therefore I recommend it as Grace is all that saves. Listen to it MorningStar before rejecting it.

[strappinglad]

There's always this :

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItWIYcD6jas

[Traela]

Having sang that song in Church 1,000's of time growing up and then converting to the LDS Church 36 years ago...it is just as Mormon as anything else. Therefore I recommend it as Grace is all that saves. Listen to it MorningStar before rejecting it.

Except she asked for non-religious songs, not non-Mormon ones.

[MorningStar]

Having sang that song in Church 1,000's of time growing up and then converting to the LDS Church 36 years ago...it is just as Mormon as anything else. Therefore I recommend it as Grace is all that saves. Listen to it MorningStar before rejecting it.

Thank you.  My uncle doesn't want anything religious at all.  He says she was an Atheist.  Personally, I think she was agnostic.  Anyway, he refuses to have her funeral in the church even if we don't do a religious service.  So we're going to cram people into my mom's house.  The weather won't be good for an outdoor service. 

[Rivers]

You Raise Me Up

Edited August 27, 2015 by Rivers

[Garden Girl]

I'm not sure the title, but the words are touching if you feel them appropriate... it's the song that says "You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings."

I know it says... Don't you know that you're my hero... so that may be iffy if she wasn't close, etc. 

 

GG

 

[MorningStar]

Ooh!  I have a solo version of this song somewhere. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaQYQnrPgSM

[jana at jade house]

I'll be loving you always    

this is Ella, but I LOVE Roberta Flack's version. Edited August 28, 2015 by jana at jade house

[Duncan]

I've heard that Elton John song sung at non religious funerals, it's the one he sang at princess Diana's funeral

[Kenngo1969]

Lee Ann Womack's I Hope You Dance?

 

(Just spitballing; don't mind me, but I do like the song and its message of making the most of whatever time one has been and will be given, which may be appropriate even (and perhaps especially) for a nonreligious service.)

 

P.S.: On the other hand, it does include the line, "Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance."  Damn!  Why do religious people have to go ruining otherwise-great songs by sneaking religious messages into them?!

Edited August 28, 2015 by Kenngo1969

[VideoGameJunkie]

The Spirit Carries On by Dream Theater.

[rpn]

An atheist wouldn't be attracted by anything suggesting there is something after death. 

 

Here is an atheist list:   http://www.slideshare.net/InventorsofGA/12-wonderful-funeral-songs-for-an-atheist

[VideoGameJunkie]

Who said she was atheist?

[Calm]

My uncle doesn't want anything religious at all.  He says she was an Atheist.

 

[Garden Girl]

So, MS, what did you decide on... and did you sing?

 

GG

[MorningStar]

I sang "Homeward Bound". It came to mind and my hand went right to it when I opened my big bag of music. I was afraid it had gotten lost in the move.

My family loved it. I felt like it could be interpreted in different ways, so "home" could mean heaven or maybe returning to nature. I wanted everyone to feel comforted in their own way.

Thank you, everyone. Typing these lyrics from memory. Might not be totally accurate. Sleeping baby next to me.

I love the nature references in this. It's perfect for her. And here we are at the end of summer too.

In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed

When the sparrows stop their singing

And the sky is clear and red

When the summer ceases gleaming

And the corn is past its prime

When adventures lose their meaning

I'll be Homeward Bound in time

Bind me not to the pasture

Chain me not to the plow

Set me free to find my calling

And I'll return to you somehow

If it's me you find you're missing

If you're hoping I'll return

To your thoughts I'll soon be listening

In the road I'll stop and turn

Then the wind will set me racing

As my journey nears its end

And my steps I'll be retracing

When I'm homeward bound again

Bind me not to the pasture

Chain me not to the plow

Set me free to find my calling

And I'll return to you somehow

In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed

When the sparrows stop their singing

I'll be homeward bound again

[rodheadlee]

Little Wing