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Tips For Picking Hymns For Funeral
The selection of music played at a memorial service can set the tone for the whole event. The deceased's preferences as to whether they would have like the mood to be somber or celebratory should be respected. There are a few tips that may make choosing appropriate funeral hymns a bit easier.
Above all, any special requests and instructions that were made by the deceased ought to be honored. If they have left no directives of this type, start by considering if they were more likely to appreciate an old religious classic or would have preferred something more contemporary. The service is intended to reflect the style and personality of the honoree.
There are other things that need to be considered along with how how beautiful or touching a hymn may be. Whether a recorded version will be used or whether the piece will be performed by a choir, an individual or the guests is an important factor. The delivery method can greatly affect a song's appropriateness.
If an individual, choir or musical ensemble is to perform the piece, selecting a more specialized arrangement is acceptable. When the congregation is expected to sing, it will be necessary to choose something that is fairly well known and in an easy range for most people. It would not have the same effect if only one person were familiar with a song intended for all.
Carefully consider the words of each song. They need to not only communicate the desired sentiments, but also be easy to understand. One filled with difficult lyrics and confusing structure is not going to have the same effect as something to which the people can relate.
Selecting funeral hymns is a matter of balances. It entails weighing what the deceased would have liked and what the attendees will be able to sing. Length, content, speed and mood are also things that will need to be taken into consideration.
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