Musical Theatre Funeral Songs

Any suggestions on Musical Theatre songs that would be suitable to sing at a funeral? (Besides "Memory"... it's been done)

How Glory Goes, hands down.

I'm not being mean or anything, but don't do For Good. Just don't. It's really, really cheesy. How Glory Goes is simple and honest. It's also difficult to sing, so if you want to do something easy it might be a bad choice.

After consulting co-workers, we've also come up with "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables."

Till we reach that day - ragtime

I'll cover you - rent

Ding dong the witch is dead - wizard of oz

Empty chairs at empty tables - Les miz

No One is Alone from INTO THE WOODS

I had a friend who requested they play Let's Go Fly a Kite from MARY POPPINS (I think). As a kind of celebration of life, it was very appropriate, although now I can't hear the song without crying.

I always think of They Can't Take That Away From Me, from Crazy For You...

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Most of the songs offered here are in pretty bad taste and I would be mortified if I heard them at a funeral.

Try "You walk with me" from The Full Monty, its the only tasteful song I can think of for this kind of occasion.

I would also consider some truly truly lovely hymns and songs of praise that are pretty religiously inconspicuous, but also truly beautiful.

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Updated On: 8/14/07 at 12:36 PM

Haha, only ONE in bad taste? Which do you think that would be?

I agree showlad. A song that might not be what we would want might well be what is wanted for the people concerned.

I would HATE to have an hymn or song of praise which, by their definition, would have religious connections. That would be deeply offensive to me.

I think most of the songs listed so far would be entirely appropriate depending on the situation of whoever is concerned.

Going through a situation and made a playlist of a few songs, not sure if any of these help:
"Time Heals Everything"-MACK & MABEL
"You Have to Be There"-KRISTINA
"No One Is Alone"-INTO THE WOODS
"With So Little To Be Sure Of"-ANYONE CAN WHISTLE
"One More Kiss"-FOLLIES
"People"-FUNNY GIRL
"Move On"-SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
"You'll Never Walk Alone"-CAROUSEL
"In Whatever Time We Have"-CHILDREN OF EDEN
"Not a Day Goes By"-MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
"Will You?"-GREY GARDENS

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Exactly, subtlety is what is called for in this situation and a song like "Wishing you were somehow here again" is totally inappropriate.

Also, as far as being offended by praise songs or hymns, get over yourself, while you may not be religious, some of that music is beautiful, a great deal actually, because it's well-written, and to dismiss it simply because of its religious connection is just plain stupid.

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I am not sure subtlety comes into a funeral. As has been said, if it is in keeping with the person that has dies then so be it. Also all of the songs are going to be emotional. Even a really upbeat number is going to be emotional if it says something about the person who died and the funeral goers acknowledge that.

Either way it is going to be a tough time for those involved and I think almost any song will suit ((just don't have some out of tune little kid singing them badly at the front and ruining the whole thing. I have been to funerals what that has been the case - as if the funeral is there to promote the neice or nephew or whosever the kid happened to belong to.))

"Also, as far as being offended by praise songs or hymns, get over yourself, while you may not be religious, some of that music is beautiful, a great deal actually, because it's well-written, and to dismiss it simply because of its religious connection is just plain stupid"

Actually no; if the deceased is not religious in the slightest I can think of little more offensive than having religious songs. And my post, although it could have been clearer, was referring to me, if I died and what I would NOT want to have at my funeral.