Celebration of life service

[Paul B]

I have been asked to sing/play for a "Celebration of Life" service for a relative. This is a first for me. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

Paul B

[travlin-easy]

Paul, for me this would be a real challenge. I suspect the best thing to do is ask the folks that wish you to play to state exactly what they want. The only time I ever had to do this was for a fellow musician who passed away on stage. They just wanted background music, which was boring to play, but they loved it.

Gary

[Paul B]

Thanks for the reply Gary,
I am still waiting to talk to the sister of the person who passed to figure out what she has in mind for this. It is a cousin of mine and she passed in Chicago while I was still in Texas. I dedicated "I,ll Fly Away" to her at a "jam" we have down here and sent a copy of it to the sister. She was very touched and I think that is what prompted the request. I should know more in a couple of days but I thought I would ask the experts on this forum for their thoughts.
Thanks again for the feed back.

Paul

[jtrue]

Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.  We'll Meet Again.  Remember Me.

   j.

[Gloria]

Hi Paul,
  Yes, you do have a challenge on your hands & you have my sympathy.  If you can't find out her favorites from relatives, etc.  I've listed some songs that would be appropriate.

Abide with Me
Amazing Grace,                                   What a Friend We have in Jesus
Beautiful Isle of Somewhere                  You'll Never Walk Alone
Beyond the Sunset
Blessed Assurance
Blest Be The Tie That Binds
How Great Thou Art
I Believe
Nearer My God to Thee
The Old rugged Cross
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Sweet Hour of Prayer

Regards, Gloria

[Paul B]

Thanks Gloria,

The service was April 14th and it went just fine. Her sister had picked out the songs she wanted and that worked fine.

Thanks for your suggestions anyway. I hope not to do that again.

Paul B.