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Broadway Showtunes and Soundtracks for a Funeral Service

Broadway Showtunes and Soundtracks for a Funeral Service

There is nothing quite like using Broadway songs for funerals. The same emotion and inspiration that brings stage characters to life can set the scene for the type of goodbye you would like to say and bring both tears and smiles to those who are grieving. If your loved one was someone who loved the escape of musical theater or cinema, both show tunes and film scores can present a wide range of possibilities for funeral music.

One benefit of using Broadway or movie songs for a funeral service is that there are generally many versions available. “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” from the Rogers and Hammerstein classic Carousel, for example, has been recorded many times. Some of the most famous versions were by Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Gerry and the Pacemakers. The song has even been covered by Pink Floyd and the punk band The Dropkick Murphys. The song was also used by Jerry Lewis to close his annual telethon to benefit muscular dystrophy.

The point is, you can design a service that uses Broadway show tunes or movie music exclusively, or you can combine it with other types of music. The important thing to remember is that you are choosing funeral songs that will honor your loved one and allow others the opportunity to mourn. If you can bring a smile to someone’s face or evoke a special memory, all the better.

>>Creating a Celebration of Life

Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life–Monty PythonCircle of Life–Elton JohnEvergreen –Barbra StreisandMemories–CatsMoon River–Johnny MercerNo one is Alone–Into the WoodsNot a Day Goes By–Merrily We Roll Along

Remember Me–CocoSomewhere Over the Rainbow–Judy GarlandSong on the Sand–La Cage Aux FollesThe Rose–WestlifeThink Of Me–Phantom of the OperaWind Beneath My Wings–Bette MidlerYou’ll Never Walk Alone–Carousel
 
Other Broadway Songs for Funerals
Anatevka “If I Were a Rich Man”
Fiddler On The Roof
If I Never Knew You
Pocahontas
Sunrise, Sunset
Fiddler On The Roof
Blade Runner (End Title)
Vangelis
I’ll Cover You
Rent
Tara’s Theme
Gone With the Wind
Borrowed Angeles
Kristin Chenoweth
In Whatever Time We Have
Children of Eden
The Way We Were
Barbra Streisand
Chariots of Fire
Vangelis
Left Behind
Spring Awakening
Those You’ve Known
Spring Awakening
Come on In From the Outside
Taboo
Move On
Sunday in the Park with George
Till We Reach That Day
Ragtime
Come Sail Away
From Pirates of the Caribbean
My Heart Will Go On
Celine Dion
Time Heals Everything
Mack & Mabel
Edward Scissorhands Theme
Theme Song
Old Man River
Showboat
Will You?
Grey Gardens
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
Les Miz
Once Before I Go
The Boy From OZ
Wishing you were somehow here again
Phantom
Fly, Fly Away
Catch Me If You Can
One More Kiss
Follies
With So Little To Be Sure Of
Anyone Can Whistle
For Good
Wicked
Over The Rainbow
Wizard of Oz
You are the Starlight
Starlight Express
How Could I Ever Know
Secret Garden
People
Funny Girl
You Have to Be There
Kristina
How Glory Goes
Floyd Collins
Scent of a Woman Tango (Por Una Cabeza)
John Williams, Itzhak Perlman
You Walk With Me
The Full Monty
Hymn (from “Portraits”)
Vangelis
Seasons of Love
Performed by the cast of RENT
You’ll Be In My Heart
Phil Collins
I Will Always Love You
The Bodyguard
Somewhere
West Side Story
Your Eyes
Rent

As with any other music you select, you must follow copyright law when playing Broadway songs for funerals and the rules for music that is piped in may be different than for that used in a slide show or video. Most funeral homes have arrangements with the top music licensing agencies and can legally provide you with music from the above lists, but be sure to talk with your funeral director to ensure that you can legally use the songs before making your final choices.

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