Having worked in a crematorium chapel, my heart always sank when loading My Way and Always Look on the Bright Side of Life into the music system every day (Hymns in and Monty Python out of UK funeral songs top 10, 20 June).
The most joyous song choice I ever experienced was for a gentleman who was carried into the chapel by his loving grandsons to Colonel Hathi’s March from The Jungle Book, dipping the coffin in time with the music as they did so.
The best exit music was Thine Be the Glory, played by a brass band and cranked up to 11 on the amp.
Dave Bicker
Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire
• Re the article on top 10 funeral songs: I have instructed my family that I wish to have Should I Stay Or Should I Go? by the Clash played at my funeral. I anticipate cries of “Take the hint! Go!” resounding through the crematorium.
Jean Davies
Woolton, Liverpool
• I told my family that I would like Keep Me in Your Heart by Warren Zevon played at my funeral. Yet when a Zevon song came on the radio, my older daughter announced that despite him being the artist I wanted, they’d be playing Dancing Queen by Abba instead. This was followed by confirmatory laughter from everyone, including my wife. Probably just as well I’ll be out of it.
Bob Wallace
Glasgow
• Your report on funeral music reminded me that the former organist at the North Devon Crematorium offered mourners free choice from three piles of music, headed sacred, secular and miscellaneous. On top of the latter pile was the sheet music for I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now.
David Cooper
Nafferton, East Yorkshire
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