Death & what remains

What song would you like played at your funeral?

23 answers answered between 2021 and 2026 one of 25 in The Q&A

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

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David Olusoga Historian and broadcaster
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 ↗

Tracy-Ann Oberman Actor and writer
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 ↗

Bill Bailey Comedian and musician
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 ↗

Beverley Knight Singer and stage actor
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 ↗

Ed O'Brien Guitarist
I sang in Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem in a choir as a kid. The final movement, In Paradisum, is one of the most beautiful, seemingly simple pieces of music. So I’ll have that, please.

Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 31 May 2026 source ↗

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