Funeral Bagpipe Music

Bagpipe music for funerals

The bagpipes have been played at funerals and other occasions to commemorate and mourn the passing of a loved one, for centuries. Whilst Amazing Grace and Highland Cathedral are familiar choices, there are many less well-known tunes which are equally appropriate.

The recordings here are my own and they draw on my experience of piping at many different types of funerals, and the music that has brought comfort to families I have played for.

There are no “right” or “wrong” tunes to choose. You may have a particular tune or song in mind that means something to your family, or you may prefer to leave the choice to me. If the music you would like isn’t included here, please ask.

Bagpipe Music for Funerals

What does a bagpiper play at a funeral?

At the beginning of a funeral service, and during the commital, slower tunes such as The Flowers of the Forest, Highland Cathedral and The Dark Island are traditional choices. At the end of the service, some more uplifting music can be appropriate. Quicker, but still respectful “Retreat” pipe marches such as The Green Hills of Tyrol and Lochanside also suit walking to and from the graveside or final respects after the service.

A funeral can also be a celebration of someone’s life. A favourite tune, or music with a particular meaning for the person or their family, can be equally appropriate.

Slow airs and laments for a funeral

The more sombre parts of a funeral call for slower music. These airs and laments can accompany the arrival of the hearse and the carrying of the coffin, or be played during the committal at a burial. They also suit a period of reflection at the graveside.

The selection includes familiar melodies and less well-known Gaelic and Irish airs. Some are solemn laments; others have a gentler character without being quite so mournful.

When I play these tunes

  • Arrival of the hearse
  • As the coffin is removed from the hearse
  • As the coffin is carried into the service
  • Procession to the graveside
  • Lowering of the coffin at a burial
  • Reflection at the graveside

The Dark Island

The Dark Island is a song written about the island of Benbecula in the Western Isles. The song became popular in the 1960s. It’s a very musical slow air which is known by many people. It’s a nice happy (but not too fast) bagpipe tune to play at a funeral, appropriate for the celebration of somebody’s life.

Highland Cathedral

Highland Cathedral is a very well known tune played on the bagpipes for all occasions, including funerals. I am often asked to play this.

I will return home to Kintail

I will return home to Kintail or by its Gaelic name, Cro Chinn t-Saile, is a very poignant slow air often played at Highland funerals. In Scottish Gaelic terms, it is a caoineadh (a keen or lament), but with the fire of a war song rather than quiet mourning.

The Flowers of the Forest

The Flowers of the Forest is an ancient melody dating back to the 16th century. It’s only played at funerals, particularly for the military and the Royal Family.

The Mist Covered Mountains

This is another old Gaelic song with a nice melody. It’s appropriate to be played for various points of a Funeral Service. It was even sung by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame.

My Home

My Home is possibly a Northumbrian tune. It has a very nice melody and is not too sad. I’ve played this tune for various points of different funeral services.

The Fair Maid of Barra

The Fair Maid of Barra is another Gaelic Air with a haunting melody. I often play this at the funeral of somebody who has a connection to the Western Isles.

The South Uist Whaling Song

The South Uist Whaling Song has a simple but very beautiful melody. It’s Gaelic name is Cha Till Mi a’ Seòladh – I Won’t Return to Sailing. I also played this with my pipe band in the 2019 World Pipe Band Championships.

The Shamrock Shore

The Shamrock Shore is an Irish song which I have played as a slow air in a pipe band. It’s a a well-known Irish emigration ballad about leaving Ireland and sailing to America, with verses about longing for home and loved ones on the shamrock shore. It has been sung by many Irish musicians and bands.

More uplifting tunes for the end of a funeral

Once the service has concluded, slightly more uplifting music can be appropriate. I play these familiar tunes as mourners leave the graveside or gather outside to pay their final respects. Their steady rhythm and brighter character can help mark the end of the funeral with a celebration of the person’s life.

When I play these tunes

  • Recession from the graveside
  • Final respects after the service

Scotland the Brave

I’m often asked to play Scotland the Brave as reflection music at the end of a funeral service. This is nice and upbeat, well-known, and helps celebrate the life of the person who has passed away.

A Scottish Soldier

A Scottish Soldier is a very well known pipe tune and Scottish song. The melody is originally an opera piece from Rossini’s William Tell Overture. I play this as reflection music after the funeral service, or as I play away from the graveside.

Lochanside

This “retreat” pipe march is played by every bagpiper and every pipe band. I also play this at the end of a funeral service. It follows on nicely from A Scottish Soldier.