Robbie Williams: very popular among the dead. Photograph: Frazer Harrision/Getty
As reported in today's paper, the Co-op has just published its second major survey of the music chosen at British funerals.
At times of crisis, as ever, it seems most people still resort to traditional institutions and the music that goes with them. That said, more and more contemporary music is being played at funerals. Some 40%, in fact, of the choices collected by the Co-op now fall into this category, and increasing secularisation will probably see that figure grow.
There is of course a Top Ten of funeral faves, an appropriately depressing list:
1 My Way Frank Sinatra 2 Wind Beneath My Wings Bette Midler 3 Angels Robbie Williams 4 My Heart Will Go On Celine Dion 5 Simply The Best Tina Turner 6 I Will Always Love You Whitney Houston 7 You'll Never Walk Alone Gerry and the Pacemakers 8 Over The Rainbow Eva Cassidy 9 Time To Say Goodbye Sarah Brightman 10 We'll Meet Again Dame Vera Lynn
Presumably there is some deep truth in here about the changing mores of contemporary Britain, but I'm not clear what it is: something to do with mawkish sentiment replacing religion, perhaps?
A curious footnote is that looking up favourite wedding music reveals many of the same choices.
But it is something that people clearly think about. One colleague in his 30s - and looking in pretty good health when last seen - is known to have a detailed playlist already drawn up. Other people in the vicinity of my desk say they have already picked out songs including the Velvet Underground's Sunday Morning (as the coffin is carried away from sight); Don't Rain on My Parade (to cheer people up a bit); and When I'm 64 (assuming they die aged 63 or under).
I'm tempted by country classic Three Bells and Smog's Dress Sexy at My Funeral, followed by Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings - to crank up the pathos and make sure that at least some people cry.
But I'm sure we can do better than that, and that you folks are the people to help us out with suggestions.
