[AlanHo]

I am not religious – some would say an atheist – but either way there are things in life that I find moving and inspiring. One being certain music.

Some of Elgar’s music makes me think of our British countryside, rolling hills, woods, hazy summer skies, dark rainy days. towering clouds moving over the landscape, gentle summer rain, the laughter of children from a village school in the distance, summer sweet meadows, mountains and lakes, gentle streams, our rivers, highlands & lowlands. The heady smell of an English country garden, The sound of the dawn chorus, the swifts of summer. These are just a few of the things that makes me proud to be British.

My favourite being music, especially Elgar’s Nimrod, from his Enigma Variations

But which version to be played at my humanist funeral – that is the question.

To my ears, both are sublime, and at 81 years old I don’t have much time left to decide.

Nimrod from Elgar's Enigma Variations - YouTube

Stokowski conducts "Nimrod" from Elgar's 'Enigma Variations' - YouTube

[CraigB]

You wont get to hear it anyway Alan

I thought this might be appropriate 

Superman Theme - YouTube

[asathorny]

Toccata and Fugue in D minor for me 


J.S. Bach - Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565 - YouTube

[Shambles]

Alan truly is an enigmatic old soul...


My Favourite Music, by Alan Ho

[AlanHo]

asa - that is superb music played as well as I have ever heard it. The skill of the organist is breath-taking. However - it is not really a celebration of your life - more a dirge that will encourage the congregation to have a mass  cutting of  their wrists to escape this mournful existence.

[AlanHo]

Alan truly is an enigmatic old soul...


My Favourite Music, by Alan Ho

Old yes - enigmatic probably -  but I lack a soul in the religious sense. I just exist for unfathomable scientific reasons. I do enjoy some music however, and play it over and over again.

So far this year, a total of 5 friends/family of my generation have departed this life and Funerals increase in frequency. The more funerals I attend the more I find the pomp and pageantry of religion a pantomime. However, it reminds you of your own mortality. Between us - Libby and I keep the local pharmacy in work and take a combined total of no less than 16 pills a day to keep us going. When you are young, you don't give it much consideration, but as you get older the slide to oblivion gets faster - hence the focus on the elements of life that really matter.

Asa wants to depart leaving the congregation weeping and suicidal - I want to leave them uplifted and glad that I've departed.

[eye30]

This is the song for you Alan


'Jerusalem' but the version by Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

[mickd]

Been a bit busy or slack and just caught this one,  till I  was over 25 , i thought " Hell ain't a bad place to  be " by AC/ DC  was appropriate ☺😈

[The Gonz]

I'll take this one. Forever the optimist.

Pink Floyd - Coming Back to Life - Division Bell - YouTube

[asathorny]

Oh come on...

That's more 'music to slash your wrists too than mine'   

[Aussie Keith]

I won't be there to enjoy it but I'm going with Pink Floyd's Run like Hell. The live version, all 8 minutes of it, I should think that will get everyone's attention and leave an impression. I did see it played live once and it was jaw droppingly amazing and strangely uplifting.

Pink Floyd - Run Like Hell - YouTube

[Dazzler]

The way I felt last night and this morning I better start choosing something... 

[Surferdude]

I'll have three.

Bombora  by the Atlantics



Wipeout by the Surfaris



The Endless Summer by the Sandals

[tw2005]

 Stokowski conducts "Nimrod" from Elgar's 'Enigma Variations' - YouTube

 

[Smokeyr67]

I've stipulated in my will that the certain conditions must be met if I'm going to rest in peace - i.e. not come back and haunt the buggers.

They are;

1. As my coffin is removed from the hearse and carried to my deep dirt bed
Henry Mancini - Baby Elephant Walk - YouTube
2. As I'm being dropped into my final resting place
AC/DC - Highway to Hell (Official Video) - YouTube
3. As they cover me with dirt
Eric Idle - "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life" - STEREO HQ - YouTube

My tombstone shall read "Beats Workin"

[Dazzler]

Nice combo Smokey. Personally I don't want to even think about my funeral. I have a feelin it is closer than I would like it to be. 

[AlanHo]

Would anyone object if I locked this topic.  it's no fun to boot the computer each morning and find, prominently in the unread posts list, this thread title staring you in the face

 

[tw2005]

Would anyone object if I locked this topic.  it's no fun to boot the computer each morning and find, prominently in the unread posts list, this thread title staring you in the face

 

You own it

[Dazzler]

Would anyone object if I locked this topic.  it's no fun to boot the computer each morning and find, prominently in the unread posts list, this thread title staring you in the face

 

I've been dying to hear someone suggest that... 

[asathorny]

Nice combo Smokey. Personally I don't want to even think about my funeral. I have a feelin it is closer than I would like it to be. 

As it is for everyone Dazz, them as live the longest don't live for very long <sigh> 

[Shambles]

Well, my plan is to live forever.


My plan is, so far, working.

[AlanHo]

This topic is now locked to prevent me getting a mortality reminder every time someone adds to the thread.

If you are a morbidity freak and enjoy funeral stuff - start your own thread....