top of page

Due to my time in the Army and in Pipe Bands I am often asked for advice on when and how the pipes can be used in a funeral service or remembrance. The following is a brief guide but by no means the limit of how and when you can use the pipes. But whatever the family or friends want is most important

 

Some questions are?

​

  • Where should the piper play;

  • When should the piper play; and

  • What should the piper play

​

The following are some suggestions for incorporating bagpipes into a service or other remembrance.

Where should the piper play

 

Families typically have a bagpiper play at one or more of the following locations.

​

  • At the church or memorial hall;

  • During the funeral service;

  • At the graveside;

  • At a crematorium; and/or

  • Any other location for a wake, remembrance, or ash scattering ceremony.

​

When should the piper play

​

  • Outside as mourners arrive;

  • Meet the hearse and pipe the pall-bearers and casket into the hall or church;

  • Play one or more selections at some point during the service;

  • Pipe the pall-bearers and casket out of the church or hall and back to the hearse;

  • Play outside the church or hall as the mourners leave;

  • Play near the grave site or outside the mausoleum or chapel as the mourners arrive.

  • Meet the hearse and pipe the pall bearers and casket to the grave site or scattering site;

  • Play one or more selections at some point during the graveside, cremation, or scattering service;

  • If flowers are provided to the mourners, the piper often plays while the flowers are being placed;

  • Play during the lowering of the casket, placing of the urn, or the closing of the curtain for a cremation service;

  • Play at the end of the service as the mourners leave.

​

What should the piper play

​

Amazing Grace is perhaps the best known, and most popular composition performed on the bagpipe.

​

Listen to Amazing Grace 

​

However, there is a vast repertoire of       appropriate music for funeral services.

 

Slow Airs and Laments are particularly suited for  funeral and memorial services.

​

Here is a list of tunes I am commonly asked to play at funerals;

​

  • Flowers of the Forest

  • Highland Cathedral

  • The Mull of Kintyre

  • The Dark Island

  • Oft in the stilly night

  • The Skye Boat Song

  • Mist Covered Mountains

  • Going Home

  • Amazing Grace

  • Many other special requests for music can usually be accommodated.

Contact Brian for a quote or booking

bottom of page