Death & what remains

What song would you like played at your funeral?

178 answers answered between 2007 and 2026 one of 25 in The Q&A

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

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Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.

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Sue Johnston English actress

Do You Hear The People Sing? from Les Mis.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 January 2013 source ↗

Tony Ross British writer of children's books

On The Good Ship Lollipop, by Shirley Temple.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 April 2013 source ↗

Joan Bakewell English journalist, television presenter and politician

A hymn called The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2013 source ↗

Nicholas Parsons English actor, straight man and presenter

My wife says the Minute Waltz.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2015 source ↗

Burt Reynolds American actor

The psalm would be the 23rd. I’ll have to think about the song.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 November 2015 source ↗

Yayoi Kusama Japanese artist

Yayoi Kusama’s Manhattan Suicide Addict.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 May 2016 source ↗

Terence Conran British restaurateur and designer

I have asked a fireworks company to put my ashes in a collection of rockets, so I think the right tune is Handel’s firework music.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 August 2016 source ↗

Terry O'Neill British photographer

Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 January 2017 source ↗

Shirley MacLaine American actress and author

The Nutcracker Suite pas de deux.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 July 2017 source ↗

Ronnie Wood English rock musician

The Resurrection Shuffle.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 September 2017 source ↗

Patricia Hodge English actress

One of my favourite songs is Being Alive, from Company by Stephen Sondheim, but it would hardly be appropriate.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 September 2018 source ↗

Engelbert Humperdinck British singer

I don’t like to think about that.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 February 2019 source ↗

Julie Andrews English actress, singer and author

Something triumphant, I couldn’t tell you what but something vibrant and joyous.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2019 source ↗

Madhur Jaffrey Actress, cook, and TV host

None: I do not want a funeral.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 February 2021 source ↗

Alan Titchmarsh Gardener and broadcaster

Eric Idle’s Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. That’s me, really.

Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 12 December 2022 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 ↗

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What song would you like played at your funeral?

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