Choosing Music for a Memorial

Cremation services Bethlehem, PA, aren’t easy, but music helps. If anything, music provides comfort and solace to heart and soul. For this very reason, many bereaved families love to play a decent music at the funeral ceremony of a loved one. But finding the right music for the memorial service is no longer a straightforward job with all the music instruments and themes available. 

If you’re planning to give an emotional and meaningful tribute to the lost loved one, then this article has got a few handy tips to choose the perfect music playlist for the upcoming funeral event. 

1. Get to Know the Music Taste of the Deceased 

First thing first, start by shortlisting the songs that reflect your loved one’s taste, the songs on their favorite playlists, the songs they used to enjoy. It will add a personal element to the ceremony and create a more intimate experience for the visitors. 

If you can have access to the personal MP3 library or CD collection, then it can give you a useful insight into the personal likings of the lost loved one. 

If the service is somewhat religious, you can choose secular or traditional songs or hymns, but do take your religious leader or the member of the clergy on board before going for it. 

2. Get Suggestions from Family and Friends 

You should take suggestions from close friends and family members, especially the ones who had spent considerable quality time with the lost loved one. They may give you the options you didn’t know or haven’t thought of yet. 

3. Listen to the Lyrics Carefully to Filter Inappropriate Words 

It’s very important to listen to every song in its entirety if you are choosing songs with lyrics. If your shortlisted playlist has some songs that you haven’t heard before then listen to the lyrics carefully as sometimes lyrics can be too surprising. 

Some words, considered normal in music, maybe perceived in bad taste by the audience and can violate the sanctity of the ceremony. 

For this reason, review every word carefully before finalizing the list. You can take help from Google to get lyrics of any song you want to play. Also, confirm the availability of the music equipment with your funeral director. 

4. Don’t Forget the Copyright Laws 

Even though some funeral homes have blanket agreements that give them the right to use music during memorial services, remember copyright laws if you’re going to stream the ceremony online. Play on the safe side and run your final list of the songs by your funeral director.   

Once you are respectful of the copyright laws, you can play both traditional or customized music at your loved one’s wake or memorial service without any worry. 

5. You Can Also Hold a Live Music Session 

Many families go for arranging live music in the memory of the lost one. It can be a full choir or any talented family member can also perform at your request.   

If the ceremony is being held in a religious sanctuary like a church, then you may have to ask/hire the religious clergy or members of the congregation to sing the selected playlist before cremation services Bethlehem, PA.