Songs for a Grandmother's Funeral Dvd

I know that others have suggested I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe but I too will suggest it. It is a beautiful song and it gives a very comforting feeling. My grandmother past away in October and we had a family friend sing it at her funeral. It was beautiful.

Celine Dion "fly". It was meant for a young teen but it would be appropriate as well.
I think any song that she liked could be used.
Best of luck!!

Fumbling Towards Ecstasy/Freedom Sessions by Sarah McLachlan. The song is I Will Remember You. I believe it is on disc 2. It is a beautiful song. You could try to listen to this song on Amazon.com. You can find the lyrics on www.leoslyrics.com. Hope this helps.

Wow there are alot of responses!

I am so sorry to hear that you are preparing for your grandmothers death. That is not an easy thing.

My grandmother passed away about a year ago and we are a very musical Christian family, so I was in charge of the music at her funeral. The last song we played as the family said their last goodbyes and the people were being ushered out is a song by Nicole Nordemon, called "Legacy". Here is the link to be able to catch a snippet of it...:)
http://www.nicholenordeman.com/media.aspx

Mercy Me " Homesick" is perfect!! Natalie Grant " Held" , Mark Schultz " Walking her home", These are all Christian artist if you try to find them. I wish you all comfort during this difficult times. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers!!! God Bless!

Have you ever heard of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and his rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A2Jt4WOxN8

Who I am by Jessica Andrews

Here is the chorus:
I am Rosemary's Granddaughter ...
The spitting image of my father ...
And when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan ...
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy ...
But I've got friends that love me ...
And they know just where I stand ...
It's all a part of me, and that's who I am ...

I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother. "Go Rest High" is a tearful, yet happy song. I cry everytime I listen to it, but it reminds you that your loved one has fulfilled their life on earth, and there is a much happier place waiting for them.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. These DVD's are so sentimental, and unfortunately I have seen quite a few. Some songs that I have heard used frequently that are appropriate are. "These are Days" by 10,000 Maniacs, "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, and "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler. At my uncle's calling hours just recently, they played the same song on a loop. I will let you know if I think of anything else, and I wish you strength and comfort during this hard time.

Dear M.,
So sorry to hear about your grandmother's brain tumor!Someone mentioned "The lark Ascending" by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Another beautiful piece by Vaughan Williams is "Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis". The melody (theme) is sometimes used as the hymn, "I heard the voice of Jesus Say". Some of the lyrics are: "I heard the voice of Jesus Say, 'Come unto me and rest; lay down thou weary one, lay down thy head upon my breast' I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad; I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad". It is in the Episcopal hymnal from the early 1980s, I don't know if they have done a new hymnal since then. If she likes the words you could include them either in print or a choral recording, or a spoken voice over the orchestral recording. The Vaughan Williams piece is very dignified, it's for string orchestra and is just beautiful.

Of course you should ask your grandmother what she would like. Did she and your grandfather have a certain song that was "their song"? That would be a good one to include. Anything from their wedding? not necessarily "Here comes the Bride" but maybe something else. Does she have favorite hymns?

Another Vaughan Williams piece(so glad the other respondent mentioned him!) is "Prelude on the hymn tune 'Rhosymedre'" or it may be known simply as "Prelude on 'Rhosymedre'". He wrote it originally (I think)for organ but I know there are orchestral and band arrangements out there. It's kind of quiet, and "sweet", with lots of flowing melodies. The tune Rhosmedre is used in the Episcopal hymnal (mentioned above) for the hymn "Our Father by whose Name", which is a hymn about family and love.

If you want something fast and flowing and very happy sounding, check out a piece by French organist and composer Charles-Marie Widor. I think it is the movement "Toccata" from his Organ Symphony. If you ask any organist worth his/her pedals for "the Widor" they will know what you are talking about. (Sorry I can't find my recording at the moment to get you the exact title).

Also try Enigma Variations by Edward (Edgar?) Elgar, especially the movement titled "Nimrod".

Don't forget the requiems, lots of composers wrote them. I'm only really familiar with the ones by Gabriel Faure and Maurice Durufle. FAure's has been called "The Protestant Requiem " because it doesn't sound overly sad. We (choir) sang the "In Paradisum" from the Faure at a memorial service once. You wouldn't have to have the whole thing, just pick the movements you like.

There was a lovely choir anthem called "For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace"; some of the other lyrics were "the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing"

Pachelbel's "Canon in D Major".

"Ave Verum Corpus" by Mozart.

"Brother James' Air", in the Episcopal hymnal as "How lovely is they Dwelling Place".

Does your grandmother like folk music at all? There are some lovely English and Irish tunes, I am thinking of "Star of the County Down", "She boeg, she Mor", "Carolan's Draught" but there are many others. the group "Bare Necessities" has many recordings of dance tunes of this type.

Claude Debussy's "Girl with the Flaxen Hair"--especially appropriate if your grandmother is or was blond!

The flute player in my quintet says that at her funeral, she wants us to play "Lullabye" from the "Folk Siute for Woodwind Qiuintet" by Karen Gorton. (Like we'd be able to play--probably crying our eyes out)

The only two songs I can think of that mention grandmothers specifically are "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" (probably not appropriate--lol!) and one called "Grandma Slid down the Mountain" by Cathy Fink, about a grandma who didn't take the road into town, she slid down the mail-chute!

I am sorry to have run on long about this--I am a musician and have taught music in elementary schools in the past. Best of luck, and God's blessings on all of you!

K. Z.

Don't wait till she dies to make this video -- do it now!!! You have been given the gift of time. Share the video with her now -- surrounded by all the ones she loves. Walk down memory lane with her and let her know how much she has impacted all of your lives! Think of the gift you will be giving her! You can show it again at her funeral and think about the smiles and laughter and joy you brought to her face in life. I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother...

lily of the valley, in the garden, i think her name is crystal gale, she's a christian singer rom the late 80's early 90's, she has TONS of awesome songs that would be appropriate.

first I am sorry for your loss....secondly I would have to right off the top of my head say " sarah mcglauchlin Arms of Angel" ...strikes me always as a funeral song. and I love her as well her voice makes me cry at times from the warmth she has come through....
I would also say :
" The Rose " -Bette Midler
"Time Of Your Life" - Greenday
"To Where You Are" -Josh Goban
"wind beneath my wings" - Bette Midler ( my moms favorite*)
" you'll be here in my heart" PHil Collins

A very pretty song we used at a funeral is (I think) High on the mountain by Vince Gill

How about "What a Wonderful World"? I know it is a sad event, but the song is so sweet and a celebration of life, which might be what be what your grandmother would like?! My other thought is songs from her younger life. My Grandma was quite the jitterbugger in her youth, so dance tunes would be good. Think about what really represents her and the songs will come to you. Remember there was more to her life than being just mother or grandmother. Sorry about your difficult time.

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother's diagnosis.

Your video tribute is a lovely idea. I have to agree that Five For Fighting's "100 Years" is a great choice.

Faith Hill's "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" is a beautiful rendition of the song. As a matter of fact, I have a friend who made a memorial video of people's deceased animals (for a web site where I am a pet loss volunteer), using that versin of the song, and it is so moving. Because of your grandmother's age, she might like the original Judy Garland version.

Have you considered recording her reading something, or telling about her memories? You could put that soundtrack in the forefront of the audio track of the piece. It would mean so much to people to hear part of her story in her own words, and I know that hearing her voice would be very moving, too.

Another lovely piece of music is "The Lark Ascending" by Ralph Vaughn Williams. It was the piece we used at both my fahter's and mother's memorial services as the recessional music. The symbolism of the bird in flight is especially poignant.

Please extend my deepest sympathy to your family, I wish all of you peace and healing as you face the end of your grandmother's time here with you.

Here's a lovely story that was written as a parable to explain death to young children:

THE DRAGONFLY

Down below the surface of a quiet pond lived a little colony of water bugs. They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they were very busy, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond. They did notice that every once in awhile one of their colony seemed to lose interest in going about. Clinging to the stem of a pond lily it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more.

"Look!" said one of the water bugs to another. "One of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do you think she is going?" Up, up, up it slowly went...Even as they watched, the water bug disappeared from sight. Its friends waited and waited but it didn't return...

"That's funny!" said one water bug to another. "Wasn't she happy here?" asked a second... "Where do you suppose she went?" wondered a third.

No one had an answer. They were greatly puzzled. Finally one of the water bugs, a leader in the colony, gathered its friends together. "I have an idea". The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk must promise to come back and tell us where he or she went and why."

"We promise", they said solemnly.

One spring day, not long after, the very water bug who had suggested the plan found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up, he went. Before he knew what was happening, he had broken through the surface of the water and fallen onto the broad, green lily pad above.

When he awoke, he looked about with surprise. He couldn't believe what he saw. A startling change had come to his old body. His movement revealed four silver wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled, he felt an impulse to move his wings...The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from the new body. He moved his wings again and suddenly found himself up above the water. He had become a dragonfly!!

Swooping and dipping in great curves, he flew through the air. He felt exhilarated in the new atmosphere. By and by the new dragonfly lighted happily on a lily pad to rest. Then it was that he chanced to look below to the bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his old friends, the water bugs! There they were scurrying around, just as he had been doing some time before.

The dragonfly remembered the promise: "The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk will come back and tell where he or she went and why." Without thinking, the dragonfly darted down. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no longer go into the water...

"I can't return!" he said in dismay. "At least, I tried. But I can't keep my promise. Even if I could go back, not one of the water bugs would know me in my new body. I guess I'll just have to wait until they become dragonflies too. Then they'll understand what has happened to me, and where I went."

And the dragonfly winged off happily into its wonderful new world of sun and air…

From: "Waterbugs and Dragonflies : Explaining Death to Young Children"
by Doris Stickney

First let me say how sorry I am for your grandmother's illness.I know how very hard it is to lose someone so dear.
Have you talked to her about the dvd you are planning? If she's able she may have a few sugestions for you. A favorite hymn or golden oldie she was fond of . Maybe a song she sung to her babies when they were small and to you too perhaps.
you didn't say if it was your mother or father's mother but maybe they have a song or two that remind them of her. Even an aunt or uncle might be able to help. The more folks involved to more complete the list.
If your kids are allowed to use the internet, perhaps they can look online to help with the project. It could help them feel closer to her and give them some great memories of her.
Good luck and may God bless you all.

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother. There is a beautiful hymn called"Each life that touches ours for good" that would be a sweet and dignified addition to a DVD about your grandmother's influence on your famiy. You can find it at lds.org. Just type in the title into the search box, and the lyrics will come up. If you like them, you can call me at ###-###-#### and I can arrange to get a copy of the music to you. (I searched the site for the music, but only the lyrics came up.) May God bless you and your family at this difficult time.

Hi, M. -

I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. My grandmother died last summer of acute aggressive leukemia, and I still don't really feel that she's gone.

I put together a slideshow for her funeral, and I used some of her favorite hymns and also a beautiful song by Josh Groban called You Lift Me Up.

Another song I really love is called If These Walls Could Speak, performed by Amy Grant. It's about 20 years old, at this point, but has a wonderful meaning.

I hope everything comes together just as you want it to.

Take care,
H.

I forgot who sings the song but the song Remember When is a good one to play. It was played at a friend of mine and my husbands funeral. The song is country but it is a beautiful song. I would suggest using that for a song.
D.

I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7 and 4.

Here's a few:

"Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole. "Three Times a Lady" by Lionel Richie. "What the world needs now is love sweet love" by Jackie DeShannon. That was popular in 1965.

"You and me against the world" by Helen Reddy is more about the strong relationship between mothers and daughters, but it could be used here. Grandkids see their grandmothers as strong people. Good Luck.

The circle of life, from the lion king, by elton john. Another good one is "remember when" by alan jackson (country)

M....My favorite hymn is "Never Grow Old". I will use that when my parents pass on. M. B.

P.S. I have been thinking about your request. She needs to be thinking of life in the hereafter. I would think she should have some favorite hymns. I would like for you to read to her from the Bible the following:
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 10:9-13
John 3:16
John 3:36
We will all live again someday.

Holes in the floor of heaven is a good song to use. It talks about even though they are not there in person they are looking at you from heaven. It is a country song. There are probably many other country songs that would be appropriate.

You raise me up by Josh Groban

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I realize the tumor is inoperable, but has she been given a prognosis? (Just want to make sure you're not prematurely planning the funeral.)

There is a song on Taylor Swift's CD called Mary's Song. It's a story told from the perspective of an elderly lady, and she's reminiscing about meeting her husband when they were 9 and 7. They eventually fell in love and got married. The song/story ends when they're 89 and 87. Not sure if your grandparents had a good love story like that or not, but if so, it would be a GREAT song for your DVD. You can listen to it here: http://www.rhapsody.com/taylorswift

My prayers are with you.

I agree with a few of the responses that mention going with songs that your grandmother loves. Even if she's not a singer, you might also see if there are any recordings of her singing. My stepdad had an old tape of his dad singing a gospel song-how powerful and nice!
Also, if she likes the outdoors and simple things and is a giving person (what grandma isn't), I really like "Sunshine on My Shoulders" by John Denver. I was never a John Denver fan but my kids were given a book by the same name and it comes with a CD of the song. Oh my gosh-what a wonderfully, simple song that has a great message. You can go to YouTube to listen to it. It would be great with family pics of everyone doing things together.
I am so sorry to hear about your family going through this.

I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. A dvd is a very nice tribute. Some nice songs are "The Way We Were" by Barbara Streisand, "Times of Your Life" by Paul Anka, "Unforgettable" by Natalie Cole, and "My Way" by Frank Sinatra. My grandmother is very patriotic and loves "God Bless America" etc. so I would use that. If your grandmother has a favorite genre you could try to incorporate that. Also the song Jean C was referring to is called "Friends" by Michael W. Smith. Good luck and prayers.

I'm very sorry to hear about your grandmother. Have you and your family prayed over her for healing? I know this must be very hard to deal with but sometimes when there's nowhere else to turn, that's when God does His work. I pray for that & that you will feel His comfort in this time. Jesus is the One you can run to in times of need! Blessings....

"Unforgettable" by Natalie and Nat King Cole

Okay, somebody help me out. What is a "funeral CD"? Do you have to worry about copyright? Don't you have hymns / religious-type music that is played / sung by church musicians? Maybe this is in the context of a funeral home...

How about asking Grandma what her favorite songs are and playing them?
Or maybe she has some favorite musicians.....
Or, just get some instrumental music (easy listening or soft jazz) for the background.
You did not mention her age but in every generation there is plenty to choose from.
In any case it would be nice to have music that reminds people of her.
When my mother turned 100, my son made a photo montage CD and he interviewed her about her life and so her voice is the background for most of the photos, and then he played the guitar for the rest.
We played it at her party then, and when she died at 102 we played the same montage at her visitation.

One song you might consider is "Sunrise Sunset". Another favorite for a lot of people is "I Did It My Way".

Frankly I believe in using music that was enjoyed by and liked by the person involved. Did she have a favorite song or several favorites that could be turned into a medley?

My future son-in-law does Sports & Memory DVD's for a living and he will ask for favorite songs of the people involved. He used "Momma" for his mother and "Stairway to Heaven" for my husband, my daughter's choice not mine but effective. I have had time to think about mine and asked him to use a medley of a couple of my favorite songs and one of them is centered on my hopes for everyone I know which is "I Hope You Dance" and "Memories" (the one used in the movie with Barbara Strisand and Robert Redford. You might consider "I Believe" or "It's a Wonderful World" "Live Like You Were Dying" is good too, but may not be as appropriate, and "Unforgetable" is good as well and fits in with her age group.

I know this is a difficult time for you. You and she both will be in my prayers.

I am sorry to hear about your Grandmother. I think thats a beautiful idea.
"When I get where Im going" by Dolly parton and Brad Paisley, "Holes in the Floor of heaven" I cant remember by who. One More Day by Lonestar.
They are all great songs Holes...actually mentions grandma in the begining part of it. If I think of anymore I will send them your way.
SZ

Five for Fightings song called 100 years. The song covers the decades of life starting from youth to elderly gives me chills everytime i hear it.

M.,
I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother, I lost mine last year to cancer and we were very close. I her funeral one of the songs that was played was My Angel by Kelly Pickler it is a beautiful song. Good luck and my prayers are with you and your family at this time.

Hi M.,
I'm sorry to hear of your grandmother's tumor. Though no titles came to me right now, I do know there has been country songs written about grandparents.

May You and Yours be Blessed with Peace,
M. V.
Independent Marketing Executive
Melaleuca-The Wellness Company

Alittle About Myself:
I'm a stay at home mom trying to launch a home based company. I have a married stepson who recently gave us our first grandson. They live in Rhode Island We have 2 other boys almost 20 and the other is almost 16. Our 20 year old is working and going to school in Louisville.
I love pets and to watch movies.

Hi M.,

This is a beautiful song-
Brad Paisley, "When I Get Where I'm Going"
Harmony by Dolly Parton.
We used it last year when my kid's grandpa died. It is very touching-he does refer to a grandparent in the song.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=J6Zfx5qra_g

Good luck,
L.

for my gramma's funeral cd we played the gospel song "A friend is a friend forever, a friend without end... A friend will not say never, ..... " sorry, really can't remember the name of the song. we also played "I can only imagine" by Mercy Me

go rest high on that mountain, vince gill. and even though it's for grandma..."grandpa" (tell me 'bout the good old days) by the judds.

Hello M., I am sorry to hear from you about your grandmothers brain tumor. We just lost my mother in law and my sister. Both of them requested that Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art be sung by our son at their funeral's. Since our son lives many miles away he made a CD of the two song's and the day of each funeral there was an excuse why his songs weren't played. In fact at my mother in laws funeral the one daughter took an Alan Jackson CD and she had them to play the entire CD. My mother in law didn't know who A. Jackson is and didn't care for country music. So, ask your grandmother what she would like played and stick to her wishes. You sound like a lovely granddaughter and you will know what to do to please her. I just said a prayer for your family good luck God Bless all of you.

I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother. As far as songs go I really love the song "I'll Fly Away." Especially the version from the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?. It's a little blue-grassy, and quite beautiful. It depends a lot on the kind of woman your grandmother is as well.

Hi M.,
Sorry to hear about your tragedy. My mother-in-law passed away suddenly at the end of April and we put together a dvd for her memorial. I'm going to cry just thinking about it. But, we played "I can only imagine" by MercyMe and that is one of the greatest songs to describe what they might be going through when the Lord brings them home. It touches your heart. I hope that this helps.
God Bless, K.

I'm so sorry about your Grandmother. I remember this song from the 80's called "Grandma-We Love you" which is by St. Winifred's School Choir. It's a cute song & if you Google the title I'm sure you can find it to download. Take Care.

M., I have Graves Disease and had ITP when I was pregnant with my youngest. They are both autoimmune diseases. I actually had my spleen removed after I had my daughter. I have had these thoughts. There are several country songs. One is by Tim McGraw "Live like you were dying", "Holes in the floor of Heaven" (I don't know who sings this), and one comes to my mind where the video has a president in it. Sorry about the news. J. J