Liverpool FC anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ tops list of most popular funeral songs

Funerals - they’re something we try to ignore but ultimately, we all have to face. But have you ever thought about what music you might have at your send off?

Gerry and the Pacemaker’s emotional melody ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ has reached the top spot as the most played tune at services.

The Liverpool FC anthem has knocking perennial favourite, Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ from the number one position in Co-op Funeralcare’s annual music chart of most popular farewell songs.

The football favourite has been played at an estimated 9,500 funerals over the past year.

The hit originally spent four weeks at number one when it was released in 1963 and made its way back to the top spot after Michael Ball, Captain Tom Moore and the NHS Voices of Care covered the classic in April, which could certainly account for its resurgence in popularity over the past 12 months.

The charity single raised money for NHS Charities Together and made Captain Tom the oldest artist to score a Number 1 single in UK chart history.

In another shift, the top ten features a number of surprisingly upbeat new entries including Tina Turner’s feel good hit ‘Simply the Best’ at number four and Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ – whose electric riffs are used in Grand Prix television packages – at number seven.

Meanwhile, The Greatest Showman’s rousing theatrical showstopper ‘This Is Me’ enters the chart for the first time at number ten, proving that for many, sad downbeat and melancholic songs could be falling out of favour.

Among the more controversial requests received by Co-op Funeralcare colleagues are ‘W.A.P’ by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, ‘Girl on Fire’ by Alicia Keys, ‘F*** Forever’ by Babyshambles, ‘Ha Ha You’re Dead’ by Green Day, and ‘Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead’ from The Wizard of Oz. Potentially offensive songs are often refused by a third-party, such as the chosen venue or person ordaining the funeral.

Top 10 funeral sports musicts for 2021:

1. You'll Never Walk Alone - Gerry and the Pacemakers
2. My Way Frank - Sinatra Down
3. Always look on the bright side of life - Eric Idle Up
4. Simply the best - Tina Turner
5. Supermarket Flowers - Ed Sheeran
6. Time to Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
7. The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
8. Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Eva Cassidy
9. We'll Meet Again Vera Lynn
10. This is Me -The Greatest Showman