Funerals and Memorial Services
In recent years, the sound of a hymn played on the Great Highland Bagpipe has
become associated with funeral services for a loved one. Perhaps it is the
ancient, non-western scale of the instrument, or the soulful and haunting sounds
that it makes. But for whatever the reason, many people want to have bagpipes
played at a funeral service.
How many times have you seen coverage on the evening news of a funeral for a
fireman or policeman who have given their life in the performance of their
duties, you can usually hear a piper in the background playing Amazing Grace.
Who can forget the memorable service for Payne Stewart when we saw a lone piper
through the mists on the 18th green and the sounds of Amazing Grace floating
across the green?
Suggestions for the Funeral Service
- The Great Highland Bagpipe can be played outside as mourners arrive.
- Scottish shuttle pipes or Smallpipes can be played inside the Chapel or
Church. These pipes provide a quiet and intimate sound, and create a
beautiful tone for the service.
- Play as the family enters.
- Play as the casket is brought in.
- At any point in the service, the piper could play a special hymn, or
tune on either kind of pipes. The piper could be in the same room, or off in
the distance (or outside) if preferred.
- The pipes can be played as the casket is carried out of the chapel.
Graveside
- Bagpipes can be played as the funeral procession arrives, during the
graveside service, or after the service is over and friends and family are
leaving.
- If the terrain permits, it is quite effective for the piper to be at a
distance and out of sight, when the tune is started. Then move slowly move
towards the graveside before the hymn is completed. If the piper is out of
sight, then someone will need to give the cue when to begin playing.
With it they accompany their dead to the grave, making such sorrowful sounds as to invite, nay to compel the bystander to weep.
— Anonymous (1561)
. . . damp, penetrating and sad like a mist. It enveloped him and pulled at his heart.
— James Kennaway, Tunes of Glory (1958)