Bagpiper for Funeral Service

FUNERAL BAGPIPER

Bagpiper for Funerals in Edinburgh

I’m a funeral piper in Edinburgh and the surrounding area, for all beliefs and denominations. I play at cremations, burials and the scattering or interment of ashes.

A funeral of a loved one is a deeply personal occasion. I know from experience that arranging a funeral is a very difficult, and you may not know when a piper at a funeral should play. There are many moments at a funeral when a piper is traditionally called upon. I provide suggestions for when I can play and the choice of music.

You may have particular wishes about when you would like me to play, or music you would like to hear at your loved one’s funeral. I welcome these requests, so the piping can be part of a send-off that reflects the person they were and gives meaning to you and your family at the funeral service.

Funeral Piper Review

★★★★★

Hi Glyn, just wanted to thank you for attending my Mum’s funeral and playing her favourite songs on the bagpipes. She would have absolutely loved this, so you have helped give her the special send-off which she truly deserved. Love from all the family.

Eileen, Nov 25

The bagpipes for different types of funerals

The opportunities for piping vary with the type of service. I can accompany the arrival of the hearse at a crematorium, lead a procession to the graveside, or play as ashes are laid to rest or scattered. The timing and music can reflect your wishes and fit with the arrangements you have made.

Funeral cortege at the family home

A bagpiper playing at the family home allows neighbours and friends who may not be able to attend the funeral, pay their respects, and it appropriately marks the beginning of the departed loved one’s final journey. I’ll start piping as the cortege enters the street and stops outside the home, and continue playing for a short while before making my way to the location of the funeral service.

Arrival at Edinburgh crematoriums

I will meet the funeral cortege as it arrives at the crematorium, take my place in front and lead it towards the chapel while piping.

Mortonhall Crematorium

I wait beside the Waiting Room area and step out in front of the funeral cortege as it approaches. I then lead the cortege down the drive to either the Main Chapel or Pentland Chapel, depending on where the service is being held.

Warriston Crematorium

I meet the funeral cortege as it comes through the entrance gates and lead it to either the Lorimer Chapel or Cloister Chapel while piping.

Seafield Crematorium

I meet the funeral cortege at the entrance arch and lead it up to the Seafield Crematorium Service Room while piping.

As the coffin’s removed from the hearse

Here I will play as the coffin is removed from the hearse, and readied to be brought into the funeral service. I will stand outside the door piping as the coffin-bearers take the coffin and lay it to rest inside where the service is being held.

Into the service

Here I will play the bagpipes as the coffin is carried into the funeral service by the pall-bearers. I will normally stand outside as the coffin is taken in, and then turn and walk away from the door of the venue of funeral service while still playing. Those inside at the service will hear the bagpipes fade away as the coffin is laid to rest upon the catafalque (raised platform), and the doors of the funeral service venue are closed.

Reflection music – Scottish Small Pipes

If required, I can play some music during the service. Here I play the Scottish Small Pipes which are much more mellow and quieter than the Highland Bagpipes, and are entirely appropriate to be played inside a crematorium chapel or church.

Final respects

Once the funeral service has concluded and those in attendance are making their way outside, I’ll play a short distance away while people are gathering and paying their final respects.

At a burial service I can play at many of the same times detailed for a cremation. However, at a burial there’s likely to be a procession to the graveside. Piping as the coffin is lowered into the ground is a particularly appropriate time for a piper to play at a burial.

Procession to the graveside

I will play in front of the funeral procession as the coffin is brought to the graveside by the hearse or by pallbearers, and lead the funeral procession to the graveside. I’ll start from the church or chapel, or at the gates of the cemetery if the funeral service has been held elsewhere.

Lowering of the coffin

From a short distance away I’ll play a slow air or lament as the coffin is lowered into the ground. I can play my way away from the graveside so the pipes fade into the distance to allow time for reflection.

Reflection music

Instead of piping while the coffin is being lowered, I play a slow air or lament after the coffin has been lowered into the ground. At this point I can play my way away from the graveside so the pipes fade into the distance to allow time for reflection.

Recession from the graveside

Once the service at the graveside is concluded, I can play the funeral attendees back out of the ceremony. Typically I will play some slightly more upbeat tunes here, to help celebrate the life of the departed.

An Interment of Ashes ceremony can take place at a burial plot at a time after the cremation, or you can choose to bring the ashes of your loved one to a burial plot at a later date, for example, if the cremation was held overseas. The location and order of service will be unique, and is often not as formal as a Cremation or Burial Service. This means you may have a lot more scope to mark the occasion as you wish.

Having a piper play for the interment of ashes of a loved one who lived overseas, but is laid to rest in Scotland is particularly meaningful. I’m proud to play for such an occasion.

Having a piper play at a Scattering of Ashes ceremony for a departed loved one, provides a tremendous send-off. I am always very honoured to play a part in such an occasion. Such an occasion will obviously be entirely unique to you and your family, and may be performed at many entirely different types of location. Please get in touch to discuss your plans further. I would love to help you mark the occasion.

Choosing bagpipe music for a funeral

Drawing on my experience as a funeral piper, I can recommend appropriate tunes for the different parts of the funeral service.

Slow airs and laments are traditionally played at funerals, but it is also entirely appropriate to include faster, more upbeat tunes at certain points in the service. The music can both lament your loved one’s passing and celebrate their life.

You can listen to my recommended tunes on my Funeral Bagpipe Music page, where each recording is accompanied by an explanation of the music and my recommendations for which parts of the funeral service it suits.

Flowes of the Forest sheet music
Listen to funeral bagpipe music

Listen to my recordings of funeral bagpipe music, with explanations of each tune and recommendations for where it fits within the service.

Funeral Bagpiper Prices

A bagpiper for a funeral (including the iterment or scattering of ashes) costs between £150 and £200, depending on if you wish the piper to also play at the family home earlier in the day, prior to the service.

If the funeral involves both piping at the service, and for the procession to the graveside and burial, this may cost extra.

Funeral service only

£ 150

  • Piping as the funeral cortege arrives at the funeral venue

  • Piping as the coffin is removed from the hearse

  • Piping as the coffin is carried into the service

  • Scottish Small Pipes during reflection, if required

  • Piping as family and friends gather in remembrance after the service

  • Piping away from the graveside if for a burial or interment of ashes

Playing times and music will be agreed with you to fit your funeral arrangements.

Family home & funeral service

£ 200

  • Piping as the funeral cortege arrives at the family home

  • Piping as the funeral cortege arrives at the funeral venue

  • Piping as the coffin is removed from the hearse

  • Piping as the coffin is carried into the service

  • Scottish Small Pipes during reflection, if required

  • Piping as family and friends gather in remembrance after the service

  • Piping away from the graveside if for a burial or interment of ashes

Playing times and music will be agreed with you to fit your funeral arrangements.

Funeral Bagpiper FAQs

Answers to some often-asked questions about booking a bagpiper for a funeral.

I prefer to be booked directly, as this makes it easier to understand your requirements and discuss the details with you. However, if you would find it easier for your funeral director to handle the arrangements, that is no problem. I work with many Edinburgh funeral directors and am used to arranging the piping through them.

If a funeral director is attending, I’ll check in with them on arrival. The piping generally requires little direction, and my experience of playing at funerals allows me to respond to how the day unfolds and adjust to any changes in timings.

For a funeral, I normally wear the more understated Piper’s Day Dress. I feel this is appropriate, as the ceremonial Piper’s No.1 Full Highland Dress can draw too much attention to the piper. My role is to provide music and pay respect to your loved one. However, if you would prefer the greater sense of ceremony that Full Highland Dress brings, I am happy to wear it.

Yes. I have never had difficulty finding a piper for a funeral in Edinburgh, even at short notice. If I’m unavailable, I can arrange for one of my trusted bagpiper colleagues to play.

My fee for piping at a funeral service in Edinburgh and the surrounding area is £150, or £200 if you would also like me to play at the family home beforehand. If you require piping at both the funeral service and the procession to the graveside and burial, an additional charge may apply.

Traditionally, a bagpiper plays slow airs and laments at a funeral. Faster, more upbeat tunes can also be appropriate at certain points in the service, allowing the music to both lament your loved one’s passing and celebrate their life. Drawing on my experience as a funeral piper, I can recommend suitable tunes for the different parts of the service.

My Funeral Bagpipe Music page includes my recordings, with explanations of each tune and recommendations for when it is appropriate to play.