Philippa Perry
Psychotherapist and author
One written in 2057.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 June 2021 source ↗
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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Peter Capaldi
Actor and director
Johnny Cash’s version of Danny Boy.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 June 2021 source ↗
Rickie Lee Jones
Singer and songwriter
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 ↗
Timmy Mallett
Broadcaster and painter
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 ↗
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 ↗
Suggs
Singer
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 ↗
Shania Twain
Singer and songwriter
I’ve been through a lot of grief in my life and there are intimate moments where you need to bawl your eyes out. As the dead person, I want to say: this is a moment you cannot control, life goes to shit sometimes. So I would choose Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin; some things you can’t change.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 26 July 2026 source ↗
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