<p>I work for a hospice agency, and my daughter might be singing at our quarterly memorial service in August held for loved ones of people who have died in the past several months. </p>
<p>This last June, she sang Sarah McLachlan’s “I Will Remember You” at my nephew’s memorial service (very last minute decision) and it was so well received (he was 25 years old). If she does this memorial service in August, she will need another song. I’m wondering what contemporary songs have you heard at memorial services that you might recommend.</p>
<p>Because this is an ecumenical service (some non-religious people attend also), we have usually stuck with secular music that is appropriate for memorial services. The only other idea I have off the top of my head is Sarah McLachlan’s “In the Arms of an Angel”. Preferably this would be a song that has been somewhat-known in contemporary music, that at least my daughter has heard of instead of having to learn a new song from scratch. </p>
<p>Interestingly, when she sang at my nephew’s service, the accompanist had never heard of this song! He was a young guy… early 30s and a very accomplished musician (so it took him about twice through to pick it up), in a huge, huge church. We were kind of in shock since almost everyone we know (including mostly non-musicians) has heard “I Will Remember You”.</p>
<p>My D always does Christian songs at funerals but these are used alot:</p>
<p>Time To Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
We’ll Meet Again - Vera Lynn
Memories - Elaine Page
Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton
My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
Angels - Robbie Williams
You’ll Never Walk Alone - Gerry & the Pacemakers
Candle In The Wind - Elton John
Bridge Over Troubled Waters - Simon & Garfunkel</p>
<p>I agree with Sarah Mclachlin…I Will Remember You as very touching at a service for my nephew. The best I’ve heard though is Jackson Browne’s “For a Dancer” the version on his Solo Acoustic Vol. 1 Album. Very very beautiful message in that song.</p>
<p>Some awesom suggestions… thanks a bunch! Of the above songs mentioned, she has, at various times in her life learned and sung My Heart Will Go On and Bridge Over Troubled Waters. She could easily pick up Candle In The Wind, I Will Always Love You, and Wind Beneath My Wings. I will pass along any further suggestions to her.</p>
<p>an update… my daughter will be singing I Will Remember You, Bridge Over Troubled Waters and possibly a third song. The request for the third song is off of Paul McCartney’s newest CD - the song is The End of the End. However, I can’t find the sheet music anywhere and assume it’s because the CD is such a recent release. Does anyone know what the timing tends to be between a newly-released CD and when the sheet music becomes available? Or some other websites I can check other than the typical ones such as musicnotes.com?</p>