LOROS Hospice has revealed its top funeral song – and it’s a surprising choice.
Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now is the number one choice of LOROS staff in a poll carried out for Dying Matters Week, the national awareness week to talk more openly about death, dying and bereavement.
LOROS Hospice’s staff were asked what song they would like played at their own funerals.
Rather than the traditional hymn or sorrowful ballad, the findings indicate people prefer an up-beat tune to celebrate their life.
LOROS’ poll shows that funeral songs are so unique to the individual that having the discussion about your funeral wishes is the only real way to get the song right for your loved one.
Jo Kavanagh, Director of Care at LOROS, said: “Funeral song choices are really personal. It’s a difficult subject to talk about but our poll indicates people really should start the conversations early if they want to ensure a funeral is a real reflection of their nearest and dearest’s personality.
“Talking about your funeral song is an easy way to start the discussion about death and dying. That’s why we’re supporting Dying Matters Week – if we’re all open to having these difficult conversations it might be a bit easier.”
To highlight the need to discuss dying in a more open way LOROS is launching a campaign asking people to contribute their funeral songs, using #whatsyourfuneralsong.
To launch the campaign the charity has created a lip synch video of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now, where staff tour the Hospice miming along to the song.
“The video is a fun way to get a more serious point across – we are prompting people to think about what they may want at the end of their lives, and how they would like to be remembered.
“We hope that it will be memorable way to inspire others to think about their end of life and funeral wishes and get involved in our Dying Matters Week campaign.”
Elsewhere in the week LOROS is holding a series of discussion events with Dr Kathryn Mannix, DJ and presenter Amy Voce, Griefcast podcaster Cariad Lloyd and comedian Greg Davies.
Join in LOROS’ What’s Your Funeral Song campaign on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @Loroshospice, using #WhatsYourFuneralSong. Watch the video here!
More information on LOROS Dying Matters Week activity can be found at Loros.co.uk/DyingMatters