Sandi Toksvig: What song would you want played at your funeral?

The question

What song would you want played at your funeral?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Sandi Toksvig

Danish and British broadcaster, comedian and writer

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

How about The Hokey Cokey? That’s always fun, especially if they’re carrying the coffin.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 March 2018 source ↗

Mentioned in this answer

Song The Hokey Cokey

Others on this question

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Olivia Colman British actress

Summer Breeze, by the Isley Brothers.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 May 2013 source ↗

Anna Paquin New Zealand actress

I don’t have a favourite song, but I will definitely give it some thought, so no one’s arguing about it when I die.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 July 2019 source ↗

David Arquette American actor, producer, & former professional wrestler

David Bowie’s Life On Mars.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 January 2021 source ↗

Clara Amfo Broadcaster

Run to the Sun by NERD. I’ve always loved that song. People always think that Pharrell [Williams] wrote it about a lover but it was about his grandmother, who passed away. My brother was a massive NERD fan – he got me into them and there’s something so pure and loving about that song. I want my funeral to be a joyous occasion, I want people to rave and to wear bright colours. But for the moment of reflection, I want that song.

Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 7 November 2022 source ↗

More from Sandi Toksvig

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Question What most recently moved you to tears? Identity & self

When I read the story of a blind, bisexual goose called Thomas who had died in New Zealand after a lifetime of love for a swan called Henry. It sounds ridiculous but is entirely true.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 March 2018 source ↗

Question How close have you come to dying? Death & what remains

I’ve had a surprising number of near-death experiences: I was nearly blown up by a landmine in Sudan; I was stranded on the Zambezi river at night; I was bucked off a rodeo horse in Arizona and had to be airlifted to hospital; and, worst of all, I once ate a Pot Noodle.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 March 2018 source ↗