Revealed: Yorkshire's top ten funeral songs

FOR some it is a last tribute to a loved one, for others it is a quirky way to say goodbye.

The most popular song for funerals in the Yorkshire and Humber region is Always Look On The Bright Side Life, according to a survey by mobile phone app provider iFuneral.

It found people in the region are most likely to select the Monty Python song than any other.

But the survey has come as a shock to funeral arranger Stephanie Simpson, who works for the Co-operative in Holderness Road, east Hull.

She said: "Some of the songs in the survey have come as a bit of surprise.

"We do get some of them requested, but we find a lot of the songs people want are more heartfelt.

"Religious services are more likely to have traditional songs and hymns, whereas the most popular modern songs are Tina Turner's Simply The Best and My Way by Frank Sinatra."

According to the iFuneral survey, songs favoured by those planning funerals in the region include Who Wants To Live Forever, Imagine and You'll Never Walk Alone.

Only two traditional songs appeared in the top ten list – Jerusalem and Morning Has Broken.

Ms Simpson said: "When people have known death is imminent, the funeral tends to include love songs, telling a story of how they have struggled and are now finally free.

"Sudden deaths are very serious, so you wouldn't get something like Eric Idle for that."

She went on to explain that in most cases, people choose a song that represents the personality of the person who has passed away or one that contains a message from the grieving loved ones.

She said: "Music plays a very important part in the funeral service. I'd say it is just as important as the eulogy.

"Because of the emotion and grief at a funeral, family members might not be able to put into words how they feel – a song can do that for them."

The top ten ...

The most popular funeral songs in the Yorkshire and Humber region are:

1. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life – Eric Idle.

2. Who Wants To Live Forever – Queen.

3. Let It Be – The Beatles.

4. I've Had The Time Of My Life – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.

5. You'll Never Walk Alone – Gerry and the Pacemakers.

6. Imagine – John Lennon.

7. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler.

8. Jerusalem – William Blake.

9. Bat Out Of Hell – Meat Loaf.

10. Morning Has Broken – Eleanor Farjeon.