‘Time to Say Goodbye’ tops UK funeral music chart for second year
Only one hymn, ‘Abide With Me’, appears in the top 10 this year, underscoring a continued shift away from traditional religious music
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Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman’s “Time to Say Goodbye” has retained the top spot in the UK’s funeral music chart, with Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” once again in second place.
The biennial chart, compiled by Co-op Funeralcare, draws on data from its 90,000 annual services to reveal the most commonly requested tracks at funerals. This year’s list sees several re-entries, including Tina Turner’s “The Best” and Westlife’s “You Raise Me Up”, which replace 2023 selections such as Dani and Lizzy’s “Dancing in the Sky” and the hymn “All Things Bright and Beautiful”.
Only one hymn, “Abide With Me”, appears in the top 10 this year, underscoring a continued shift away from traditional religious music. Eva Cassidy’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” rose three places to third, while Ed Sheeran’s “Supermarket Flowers” dropped to sixth. Vera Lynn’s “We’ll Meet Again” also fell four places to ninth.
The chart’s top sports song remains “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, best known for its associations with Liverpool FC and Celtic. The late Tina Turner’s “The Best”, which is also a Rangers anthem, has risen to second place on the sports list. Everton FC’s “Z Cars” theme entered the sports top 10 for the first time.
Unconventional selections played at funerals over the last year included the Vengaboys’ “We Like to Party!”, PSY’s “Gangnam Style”, the Jaws film soundtrack, and “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” from The Wizard of Oz.
Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger” climbed five places to second in the Indie chart, coinciding with the band’s reunion announcement last year. Sam Fender’s “Spit of You” made its first appearance in the Indie top five.
Commenting on the release, musician Max George of The Wanted said: “Whether it’s in moments of pure joy or in moments of grief, music connects us in ways words often can’t.”
Gill Stewart, managing director at Co-op Funeralcare, added: “Choosing a song that is meaningful to you can be an important part of saying goodbye, whether it’s a traditional hymn or something light-hearted and quirky.”
