When the piper plays is entirely up to the family.
Music
The music played at funerals is also a family matter and I am happy to play any personal favourites if they can be played on the pipes.
The following are some of the tunes often requested for funerals.
- Amazing Grace
- Flower of Scotland
- Flowers o' the Forest
- Lochaber No More
- Going Home
- My Home
- Dark Island
- Highland Cathedral
- Erin’s Green Shore
- Skye Boat Song
- Mist Covered Mountains of Home
- MacGregor’s Lament
- Bonnie Black Isle
Here is a list of times I’m usually asked to play:
- As the cortege is leaving the family home
- As the cortege arrives at the church or crematorium.
- Leading the coffin into the church or crematorium.
- As the mourners leave the church or crematorium.
- As the coffin is carried to the graveside.
- As the coffin is lowered into the grave.
- At the end of the graveside ceremony walking away with the music fading in the distance.
“I’m writing on behalf of my family to say ‘Thank you’ for playing at our mother’s funeral. She was a proud Scot and loved the bagpipes so much. We can’t think of a more perfect send-off than the one you helped to provide, especially the Burns poem “My Love is Like a Red Red Rose” read as only a Scot could. Thank you again for making the day so special”
“The songs we chose were two of Dad’s favourites and the playing of them was just right and exactly what he would have wanted.”
“My son and I would like to express our thanks to you for your wonderful playing at my late husband’s funeral. He was a piper himself and I know he would have appreciated the lovely music you performed.”
"I would just like to drop you a note to say thanks for playing at my Dad's funeral, you really did make the funeral that bit more special, especially when going along my Dad's street. Thanks again"