Songs for a funeral/memorial?

[DrunkyMcWasted]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:22am

One of the children of a family I am very close to was killed in a traffic accident last week. The memorial is this coming Friday, and I may be singing something. I'm looking for a song/showtune that might be appropriate. I have a few ideas already, but I thought I'd ask for suggestions.


EDIT: to add. I am female. I have a fairly wide range and sing both belter and more legit stuff.

Updated On: 11/28/06 at 12:22 AM

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:39am

The choice that first comes to mind is "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel or along that note "No One Is Alone" from Into the Woods. If you want to go for something more somber you can sing "Time Heals Everything"--Bernadette Peters performed this number at the Tonys as a tribute to her late co-star Robert Preston the year he passed.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:41am

I know THE perfect one: Bring Him Home from Les Miz.

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:48am

Anytime (I Am There) from Elegies. It's actually meant to be sung by a mother to the child she left behind, but it's a beautiful song nonetheless. And at my grandfather's funeral, we played Lift The Wings. Both songs are touching and wistful, and also acknowledge that the deceased never really leave us.

[musicallover2008]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:51am

Some people might not agree with this but I was at a funeral that used "For Good" and I thought it fit very welll.

[Renthead#1]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:56am

Seasons of Love.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 1:00am

Seasons of Love!? Are you serious?

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 1:01am

You say you have a nice range so I was thinking "Without You" from Rent. I sang it at my grandmother's funeral and it went over well. People really enjoyed it. Also I do like the idea of "For Good" from Wicked if you can take at the whole and just to clear they air....

[CapnHook]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 1:02am

Want something sad or uplifting?

"My Funny Valentine" - sad
"Old Friend" - uplifting

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 1:04am

"for good" as a solo

[logan0215]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 1:04am

Funambul from Cirque du Soleil's Varekai is a beautiful (non lyrical) aria.

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 2:08am

A good memorial song, which celebrates someone's life rather than dwelling on one's demise, is "Corner of the Sky" from Pippin.

Tried and tested, and proven, too.

[broadjay]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 4:08am

recently my sister fiance pass lets just say suddenly, my sister and his parents ask if I would sing "The prayer" I choose to do it accapella, it was one of the best performances I have ever given (sadly) the lyrics are beautiful and fitting to say farewell/see you soon look over us and take care...

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:08am

Um,

"Bring Him Home" -- Les MisErables
"We're Still The Children We Once Were" -- Batman: The Musical

Write me if ur interested in that last one. It's very pretty and sad

[luvtheatre11]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:35am

I have heard What I Did For Love at 2 funerals now. Both people were very involved in local theater and loved the theatre in general. I was also at one where someone did Dan Fogelberg's Netherlands..that was really beautiful, and a bit different.

[coolphantom919]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 8:29am

A piano solo of Think Of Me

[Joelbeans]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:18am

We have an awards ceremony here in St. Louis for all the local community theatre groups and we do a tribute to the people that have passed away throughout the year. The past two years they have sung "For Good" and it was very touching. If it is a children's funeral that you are singing at "No One is Alone" is so appropriate. I don't know if this would work as a solo but "I will Never Leave you" from Side Show. Hope this helps. I am so sorry for your loss.....

[MimiLovesRoger]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:33am

"Whishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from POTO

[bigbigbill]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:43am

You Walk With Me from The Full Monty

[actress_06]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:46am

Flying Home - Songs for a New World

Terribly sorry for the loss.

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 10:20am

First of I want to offer my condolences to you and to the family.

As far as a song choice -- I still have to side with "You'll Never Walk Alone" as being the best one. I have heard it done numerous times at funerals and for other religious services and it has always come across well.

Another song to think about that you would probably never consider is "You Walk With Me" from The Full Monty. Out of the context of the show the lyrics work very nicely for a service such as this one. Obviously it was meant to be a duet, but could be done as a solo since there is always a defined melody line and no polyphony. Here are the lyrics in case you aren't familiar with them:

Is is the wind
Over my shoulder?
Is it the wind that I hear gently whispering
Are you alone there in the valley?
No, not alone for you walk, you walk with me

Is it the wind there over my shoulder?
Is it your voice calling quietly?
Over the hilltop, down in the valley
Never alone for you walk with me

When evening falls
And the air gets colder
When shadows cover the road I am following
Will I be alone there in the darkness?
No, not alone, not alone
And I'll never be...

Never alone, you are walking
You're walking with me

Is it the wind there, over my shoulder?
Is it your voice calling quietly?
Over the hilltop, down in the valley
Never alone for you walk with me
Over the hilltop, down in the valley
Never alone for you walk with me

[Maggie_May]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 2:00pm

I don't think seasons of love would fit. At the beginning of my senior year I sang with my high school chorus at an open casket wake for a girl who had JUST graduated who was in the chorus, and we sang that and it felt weird especially after singing Danny Boy.

Danny Boy is a really beautiful song to sing though (I know it's not broadway sorry.)

[mrs felciano]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 2:46pm

Normally I would never recommend something from Wicked but my school concert choir sang For Good at a funeral and it was lovely.

[glimpseofstocking]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 3:21pm

I'm very sorry about your loss.

I agree with You'll Never Walk Alone. It's a beautiful song. For Good is a good idea too.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 3:40pm

I'm very sorry for your loss.

I'm going to agree with "No One is Alone."