What song would you like played at your funeral?

Originally asked

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

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

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Recorded Joely Richardson said elsewhere, not written here
I’d prefer no song, and no funeral: I’d like my loved ones to go on a walk, mostly in silence, instead. It’s all better not put into words.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 July 2015 source ↗

Others on this question

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David Baddiel Comedian and writer
My daughter Dolly singing Your Song by Elton John when she was 11. I was filming and the filming is pathetic because you can tell I’m just wobbling with tears. I want everyone to cry at my funeral, including my daughter.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 13 January 2025 source ↗
Sananda Maitreya Singer and songwriter
As a native-derived person, we don’t believe in death. Death is a western, fear-based concept. We believe that an eternal spirit is housed into a temporary vehicle, and when that vehicle no longer becomes tenable to inhabit, we just move on. If I had to play music, I’d insist on Beethoven’s Triple Concerto.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 26 October 2025 source ↗

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