Music for Funerals: The Best Classical Pieces

Music for funerals is often chosen to reflect the life of the person who has died. Here is a list of some of the best classical pieces to play at a funeral.

Introduction

People often ask what kind of music is appropriate for funerals. There are no hard and fast rules, but classical music is generally seen as being more suitable for this occasion than other genres.

There are many beautiful and moving classical pieces that can be played at funerals. Some of the most popular ones are listed below.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125: The “Choral” Symphony is one of the most popular pieces of classical music and is often played at funerals. The work was composed in 1824 and was inspired by a poem by Friedrich Schiller called “An die Freude” (“Ode to Joy”). The piece is famous for its final movement, which features a choir singing Schiller’s poem.

Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, K. 626: This piece was composed in 1791 and is one of the most well-known requiems (a type of mass for the dead). The work was unfinished at the time of Mozart’s death and was completed by another composer, Franz Xaver Süssmayr. It is a beautiful and moving work that is often played at funerals.

Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Op. 48: This piece was composed in 1888 and is a smaller-scale requiem than Mozart’sRequiem or Verdi’sRequiem (another popular funeral piece). It is a beautiful work that features a lot of solo vocal parts, making it ideal for smaller funeral services.

Bach’s Johann Sebastian Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is oneof Bach’s most popular pieces and is often played at funerals. The work was originally written for piano but has been arranged for many different instruments over the years. It is a beautiful and uplifting piece that can provide comfort to those who are grieving.

“Requiem” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Requiem” is one of the most popular pieces of classical music ever written. Composed in 1791, just months before the composer’s death, the work is often performed at funerals and memorial services. The “Requiem” has a complex history, and its meaning has been interpreted in many different ways. Mozart left the work unfinished at his death, and it was completed by another composer, Franz Xaver Süssmayr. The “Requiem” is a mass for the dead, but it is also a powerful expression of Mozart’s own mourning for his wife Constanze, who had died just weeks before he began work on the piece.

“Funeral March” by Chopin

One of the most popular classical pieces of music for funerals is “Funeral March” by Frederic Chopin. This piece is often played during the procession to the graveside.

“Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber

One of the most popular classical pieces played at funerals is “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber. The slow, sad melody is both beautiful and heartbreaking, making it the perfect choice to help mourners say goodbye to their loved ones.

“Nimrod” from “Enigma Variations” by Edward Elgar

Nimrod, from Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar, is a beautiful and moving classical piece that is often played at funerals. The music itself is very calm and soothing, making it the perfect choice for a funeral service.

“Lacrimosa” from “Requiem” by Mozart

Mozart’s “Lacrimosa” from his “Requiem” is a beautifully somber piece that is often played at funerals. The opening measures feature a solo soprano singing the word “Lacrimosa,” which means “tearful.” The rest of the piece features the full orchestra, with occasional solos from other voices. The work ends with a soft, gentle fade-out.

“Ave Maria” by Franz Schubert

“Ave Maria” is a popular and much-recorded setting of the Latin prayer Ave Maria, originally published in 1825 as Opus 52, No. 6 by Austrian composer Franz Schubert.

The piece consists of a melody by Schubert superimposed over an earlier piano work, the “Ellens dritter Gesang” (“Ellen’s Third Song”), also known as “Hymne an die Jungfrau” (“Hymn to the Virgin”), a German translation of the Ave Maria prayer. It is unclear how or why Schubert combined these two pieces; it may have been that he simply needed a new setting of the prayer for use in a Catholic church, or that he wanted to create a more elaborate work for performance at public concerts.

Regardless of its origins, “Ave Maria” quickly became one of Schubert’s most popular works; it was reprinted frequently in the 19th century and has been recorded many times since.mdash;Wikipedia

“In Paradisum” from “Requiem” by Gabriel Fauré

“In Paradisum” is one of the most popular pieces of music for funerals, and it comes from the “Requiem” by Gabriel Fauré. The “Requiem” is a work for orchestra, choir, and soloists, and it was composed in the 1880s. “In Paradisum” is the final movement of the “Requiem,” and it features a beautiful melody that is both peaceful and hopeful. The lyrics of “In Paradisum” are in Latin, and they speak of paradise as a place where there will be no more sorrow or pain.

“Piano Sonata No. 2” by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Sonata No. 2” is a popular choice for funerals, as it is a beautifully mourning piece that still manages to radiate hope and warmth. The chords progress in a way that mirrors the ebb and flow of grief, giving listeners a chance to process their emotions as they listen.

“Allegri’s Miserere”

Allegri’s Miserere is a beautiful and haunting piece of music that is often used at funerals. This piece was written for the Vatican Choir and is one of the most popular pieces of classical music ever written. The Miserere is often performed by choirs all over the world and is a staple of funeral music.

“The Death of Ase” from “Peer Gynt” by Edvard Grieg

Grieg’s “The Death of Ase” from his incidental music to Henrik Ibsen’s play “Peer Gynt” is a beautiful and sad classical piece that is often chosen for funerals. The music tells the story of the death of Ase, Peer Gynt’s mother, who dies of a broken heart after her son leaves her.

“Dido’s Lament” by Henry Purcell

“Dido’s Lament” is a beautiful and incredibly moving piece of music by the English composer Henry Purcell. It is often played at funerals, and for good reason – the elegiac lyrics and mournful melody perfectly capture the feeling of loss and grief.

The piece was written as part of Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas, which tells the story of the Trojan hero Aeneas’ love for the Queen of Carthage, Dido. Dido ultimately kills herself after Aeneas leaves her, and “Dido’s Lament” is her final farewell to him.

Despite its sad subject matter, “Dido’s Lament” is a truly beautiful piece of music that will touch your heart. If you are looking for classical music to play at a funeral, this is an excellent choice.

“Largo” from “Xerxes” by George Frideric Handel

“Largo” from “Xerxes” by George Frideric Handel is a beautiful piece of music that is often played at funerals. The piece is slow and solemn, making it perfect for a funeral setting.

“Adagio” by Tomaso Albinoni

Albinoni’s “Adagio” is a popular and well-known classical piece often played at funerals. The slow, mourning pace of the music makes it a perfect choice for a funeral, and the beauty of the piece can provide some comfort to those who are grieving.

“Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel

One of the most popular pieces of classical music, “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel is often played at funerals. The piece is simple, yet elegant and is sure to bring a sense of peace to those who are grieving.