Some of us may want to be mourned with tears, some of us may want to be cheered with laughter. Browse our list of suitable classical pieces for funerals below.
But, let's face it, none of us want to be forgotten. So, when the time comes, why not set the soundtrack to your send-off? Whether it's loud and light, bright and beautiful or even sad and sombre, our neatly indexed choices should provide something suitable for everybody.
Requiem Opus 48
Gabriel Faure
(1845-1924 : France)
Conductor: Edward Higginbottom
Ensemble: Capricorn;Choir of New College, Oxford;David Burchell (organ)
Record label: CRD
Catalogue ID: 3466
Requiem Mass - Sanctus
Giuseppe Verdi
(1813-1901 : Italy)
Conductor: Jesus Lopez Cobos
Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir
Record label: LPO Live
Catalogue ID: LPO 0048
Dido & Aeneas - Overture
Henry Purcell
(1659-1695 : England)
Conductor: William Christie
Ensemble: Les Arts Florissants
Record label: Harmonia Mundi
Catalogue ID: HMX 290606
Requiem - Pie Jesu...
John Rutter
Conductor: Timothy Brown
Ensemble: Members of the City of London Sinfonia;Choir of Clare College, Cambridge
Soloists: Elin Manahan Thomas; Nicholas Rimmer
Record label: Classic FM
Catalogue ID: CFMCD 38