Need song/hymn suggestions for a Memorial Service/Celebration of Life

[LJC1861]

I now begin the task of planning my Mom's Memorial/Celebration of Life.

She made it perfectly clear that she did NOT want a traditional funeral service and that she would prefer that people attending not wear black. In fact she laughing said one time that she would love it if people wore PINK ( her all time favorite color) to her service.

I know that she loved Precious Lord, How Great Thou Art, and Old Rugged Cross.

I need some suggestions so that we have a larger pool to pick from. I know that there are so many more that she loved but I just can't think right now. I am going to go through her I-Pod but thought I would come here first.

My two brothers and one niece will also be singing something. I think my niece has chosen "For Good" from Wicked (which will NOT go over well with the music director at church....) but it is a song Mom loved and totally fits what she was all about.

As for my other brothers I know they will pick just the right song, but please suggest some of your favorites.

I know that it will be a beautiful celebration full of the music, prayers, poems and most importantly people that she loved.

Linda

 

[lovemygoofy]

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your mother. I willl keep you and your family in my prayers in the upcoming days.

As to answer your question here's a few suggestions:

I Can Only Imagine
Go Rest High on the Mountain
Sissy's Song
When I Get Where I'm Going
On Eagle's Wings
Wind Beneath My Wings

 

[Sparx]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I think For Good is a fantastic song to play at a memorial service! And you know what, your church's musical director isn't your mother's child so what he or she has to say shouldn't matter at all.

How about When You Wish Upon A Star by Louis Armstrong? or Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole?

 

[golfgal]

I know in our church music does have to be approved and they don't usually allow secular music during the actual service, but often do allow it BEFORE the service starts-so ask about that.

Are you including the 3 songs your mom likes? Those three plus the one your niece is singing and one other that your brothers are singing are probably enough for songs. That is a lot of songs for a memorial service.

 

[Disney Doll]

Eagles Wings
Be Not Afraid
Here I Am Lord
Forever Young-Rod Stewart
I Will Remember You
The Strife Is Over

 

[LJC1861]

My mom and dad's church does not like secular music during the service, but on occasion they do make exceptions. Before the service starts or perhaps even after the service at the 'reception' that we will have in the fellowship hall might be a good spot for Allison's song.

As for too much music....Mom was a music teacher and there was ALWAYS music in our home. Dad specifically said that Mom wanted as much music as possible in her service. Precious Lord will definitely be included as will How Great Thou Art. As for another hymn, that has yet to be determined.

Mom always said that she wanted her service to be 'stories and songs'.....so we will try to do just that.

Thank you all for your kind words. Mom's passing was not entirely unexpected as she was in very poor health for many years. It was sudden and shocking but we are all at peace because now she is.

Linda

 

[shortbun]

All Things Bright and Beautiful

 

[Kasmooth]

I Hope You Dance was played at my Aunts service.

 

[lovesmurfs]

My previous employer's daughter passed away when she was only 8 -- One of the songs at the funeral was from a Lutheran Hymnal -- Used the tune of Simple Gifts and the chorus was:

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the lord of the dance, said he!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the dance, said he!

It was a great tune, and I still enjoy the sentiment twelve years later.

There's also a great hymn in the Church of God (Anderson) hymnal by Barney Warren called "Joy in the Lord" which I fully intend to request for my funeral. It's got a very lively melody:

I will sing, hallelujah, for there’s joy in the Lord,
And He fills my heart with rapture as I rest on His Word;
I will trust in His promise; I will shout, I am free;
In my blessed, loving Savior, I have sweet victory.

Refrain:
There is joy in the Lord, there is joy in the Lord;
Hallelujah! glory, glory! there is joy in the Lord!
There is joy in the Lord, there is joy in the Lord;
Hallelujah! glory, glory! there is joy in the Lord!

I will live for the Savior, I am His evermore;
I am resting in His favor, I am safe and secure;
For the light shining brighter on my path every day
Cheers my happy soul with rapture as I walk in the way.

When I reach heaven’s portals, in that land of the blest,
I shall sing with holy angels of this rest, happy rest;
I shall dwell there forever with my Lord and my King,
And with everlasting praises make those high arches ring.

So sorry for your loss.

 

[Acklander]

I love "Way over Yonder" by Carole King.

 

[golfgal]

One that gets used around here a lot is "Old Irish Blessing" . It is a beautiful hymn that used the old Irish prayer that starts :May the Road Rise to Meet you.... ". It is just beautiful and it is often used as a closing song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti3EWCbtZGk

 

[avgeek81]

Sorry for your loss. Ive always thought that Warren Zevon's "Keep me in your heart for awhile" would be playing at memorial, if i had. Not that i think about this often

 

[CozumelDisneyFan]

As I sat in my car, outside the church before my grandfathers funeral, this song came on the radio, and it has stayed with me since then.

My thought was that his voice in the lyrics were telling me that everything would be ok, that he had paved the way for me and would be with me as I sailed thru my life... I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it...
who would have thought that a Buffett song could come to mean so much to me


Jimmy Buffetts BAROMETER SOUP

Follow in my wake
You've not that much at stake
For I have plowed the seas
And smoothed the troubled waters
Come along let's have some fun
The hard work has been done
We'll barrel roll into the sun
Just for starters

Just for starters
Barometer's my soup
I'm descended from a deckhand on a sloop
I travel on the song lines
That only dreamers see
Not known for predictability

Come and follow in our wake
You've not that much at stake
For we have plowed the seas
And smoothed the troubled waters
Come along let's have some fun
Seems our work is done
We'll barrel roll into the sun
Just for starters

Sail the main course
In a simple sturdy craft
Keep her well stocked
With short stories and long laughs
Go fast enough to get there
But slow enough to see
Moderation seems to be the key

Constantly searchin'
Oh my eyes have seen some horizons
And I've crossed the ocean for more than just thrills
No I'm not the first
Won't be the last
You lust for the future
But treasure the past

Follow in my wake
You've not as much at stake
For I have plowed the seas
And smoothed the troubled waters
Come along let's have some fun
The hard work has been done
We'll barrel roll into the sun
Just for starters
We'll barrel roll into the sun
Just for starters
We'll barrel roll into the sun
Just for starters

 

[disykat]

I think the all songs you mentioned would be great. I've been to memorials where the congregation has sung "Soon and Very Soon" and I've always thought that's what I'd like to have at mine.

 

[goofy's friends]

I'll Fly away
Amazing Grace
Soon and Very Soon
I can Only Imagine
Homesick--Mercy Me (a favorite)

So sorry about your loss

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

So sorry for your loss. My Dad passed in '99 and though he wasn't the most religious of men, he loved this song. I've always though it was a beautiful hymn.

Here I Am Lord

 

[mrsstats]

Sorry for your loss. I hope everyone wears pink. I would choose Here I Am Lord.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I am going from the Methodist Hymnal

Hymn Of Promise Hymn

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.


Sing with All the Saints in Glory

Sing with all the saints in glory,
Sing the resurrection song!
Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story,
To the former days belong.
All around the clouds are breaking,
Soon the storms of time shall cease;
In God’s likeness we awaken,
Knowing ever-lasting peace.

Oh, what glory, far exceeding
All that eye has yet perceived!
Holiest hearts for ages pleading
Never that full joy conceived.
God has promised, Christ prepares it,
There on high our welcome waits.
Every humble spirit shares it,
Christ has passed the eternal gates.

Life eternal! Heaven rejoices:
Jesus lives who once was dead
Shout with joy, O deathless voices!
Child of God, lift up your head!
Life eternal! Oh, what wonders
Crowd on faith; what joy unknown,
When, amid earth’s closing thunders,
Saints shall stand before the throne!

Here is a link to a list of funeral hymns.

 

[shortbun]

Morning Has Broken is a hymn and is often used in memorial services that are upbeat and celebratory.

 

[Jazzybell]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother.

My dad passed away in January of this year at the age of 91. He sang 'In the Garden" as a solo in church in 2009 two days after his 90th birthday, so we chose that as one of the hymns sung during the funeral service. He loved to garden, so it was appropriate on two levels.