Rosalind Eleazar: 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.

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Happy Day by Sarkodie. I’m half Ghanaian, and in Ghana funerals really are a celebration of life. You dance and sing; it’s just a completely different vibe to over here in the UK. I would hope at my funeral that everyone’s on their feet, having a good time.

The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 28 November 2022 source ↗

Mentioned in this answer

Song Happy Day · Sarkodie

Others on this question

View all 178 →

Romola Garai

Hey Ya, by OutKast.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 February 2013 source ↗

Sandi Toksvig Danish and British broadcaster, comedian and writer

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

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

Gloria Gaynor Singer

A song I wrote called I Want to See You. It’s about reunion – about seeing your loved ones again in heaven. That’s the message I’d want to leave behind.

Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 21 June 2026 source ↗

Aidan Gillen Irish actor

Pyramid Song, by Radiohead, live.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 May 2017 source ↗