23 answers answered between 2021 and 2026 one of 25 in The Q&A
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Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.
I’ve spent my life hogging the stereo. My funeral feels a good moment to finally let someone else choose the soundtrack.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 March 2021 source ↗
Kiss And Say Goodbye by the Manhattans.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 April 2021 source ↗
Feel Like Going Home by Charlie Rich.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 May 2021 source ↗
One written in 2057.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 June 2021 source ↗
Johnny Cash’s version of Danny Boy.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 June 2021 source ↗
Our family song – Three Is A Magic Number, which my husband played me on the way back from the maternity hospital.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 August 2021 source ↗
Run to the Sun by NERD. I’ve always loved that song. People always think that Pharrell [Williams] wrote it about a lover but it was about his grandmother, who passed away. My brother was a massive NERD fan – he got me into them and there’s something so pure and loving about that song. I want my funeral to be a joyous occasion, I want people to rave and to wear bright colours. But for the moment of reflection, I want that song.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 7 November 2022 source ↗
Happy Day by Sarkodie. I’m half Ghanaian, and in Ghana funerals really are a celebration of life. You dance and sing; it’s just a completely different vibe to over here in the UK. I would hope at my funeral that everyone’s on their feet, having a good time.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 28 November 2022 source ↗
Eric Idle’s Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. That’s me, really.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 12 December 2022 source ↗
That’s always changing, depending on how I think I’m going to die. At the moment, I’d like my own song Away from the Sky at my funeral.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 29 May 2023 source ↗
At my late brother Martin’s funeral we played He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother by the Hollies. Martin lived a life that inspired me with the way he approached his learning difficulties and the love he showed us all with his Down’s syndrome. I often think that extra chromosome of Down’s syndrome is a chromosome of love, and you can’t have too much love in the world, can you?
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 1 January 2024 source ↗
Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads. When I first heard it at 15, it was different to all the punk I was listening to. When I was starting out in my career, it was all about: ‘How is this possible? How am I doing this?’ Now it’s: ‘Is this my life? How did I get here?’ The lyrics are all about returning full to nature. That’s how I imagine death to be. So that’s what I want at my funeral. And they’ll play Combine Harvester by the Wurzels as people are leaving the church.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 19 February 2024 source ↗
Pavarotti’s Nessun Dorma. I’m a big sports fan and Italia 90 was such a massive part of my life when I’d just turned 17. That tune just builds and builds. I can imagine a massive coffin disappearing down while he’s singing. What better way to go?
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 25 March 2024 source ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
Is That All There Is? by Peggy Lee. I find it uplifting, because we all suffer these things in life. Will my funeral be happy or sad? Depends who you’re talking to. Some people will be happy. A couple will be sad. But I’d like a jolly affair.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 16 November 2025 source ↗
At the end of every show, I always blast September by Earth, Wind & Fire at full volume as people leave. It is the best song in the world and has a sense of total positivity, community, friendship, physicality and memorability. It feels like an extraordinary human experience, a sense of joy and celebration that we are lucky to be here at all. It reminds me why I am alive, and I’d like to give people that. The ultimate end to my big gig on earth!
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 30 November 2025 source ↗
It’s another bloody Prince song, I’m so sorry – Mountains. I love how the chord structure ascends and the vocals – “It’s only mountains and the sea / There’s nothing greater than you and me” – feel like an ascension. I’d like to think, when I shuffle off this mortal coil, I’m going to be ascending as opposed to descending. I think I’ve been a good girl.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 21 December 2025 source ↗
I’m living for ever, so I won’t be having one. But just in case, I can imagine My Way by Frank Sinatra belting out as I’m cremated or put in the ground.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 18 January 2026 source ↗
For Good, from the bit in Wicked the Musical where the two witches go their separate ways. The lyrics are about people coming to your life for a reason, who might not stay very long, but there’s a reason they’ve played a part in your life. I well up thinking about it.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 15 February 2026 source ↗
Nobody has answered this one yet.