Yahoo News No traditional hymns feature in top 10 list of funeral songs for first time
The most popular songs played at funerals have been revealed, with no traditional hymns making the top 10 for the first time.
Frank Sinatra's My Way tops the chart, with Robbie Williams' Angels and Monty Python's Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life also featuring.
Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, and Over The Rainbow by Eva Cassidy come in second and third place respectively.
Ed Sheeran's Supermarket Flowers and You Raise Me Up by Westlife are new entries.
No traditional hymns appear in the list that was compiled by Co-op Funeralcare.
It was drawn up from research from its funeral directors, who conduct up to 100,000 services a year.
The most popular hymns were Abide With Me and All Things Bright And Beautiful.
More adults are telling their families which songs they want played at their funeral, while a growing number ask a family member to sing at their farewell, the company said.
David Collingwood, director of funerals at the Co-op, said: "We all live such unique lives and funerals should completely reflect that. Each element of a funeral is a very personal decision which is why the music choice plays such an important and impactful role.
"We're always encouraging people to be more open about their funeral wishes, making it clear to their loved ones what they would want for themselves when the time comes.
"Even knowing what song someone would have wanted can bring such comfort at an incredibly hard time."
The survey of 2,000 adults found one in four wanted music played at their funeral to make people laugh.
Popular rock songs played at funerals included Led Zeppelin's Stairway To Heaven and Meat Loaf's Bat Out Of Hell, while Angels by Robbie Williams is the most requested pop tune, according to the Co-op's research.
Other popular requests include theme tunes from TV sports programmes such as Match of the Day, or programmes including Only Fools And Horses and Last Of The Summer Wine.
The top 10 funeral songs
1. My Way - Frank Sinatra
2. Time To Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
3. Over The Rainbow - Eva Cassidy
4. Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
5. Angels - Robbie Williams
6. Supermarket Flowers - Ed Sheeran
7. Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
8. You Raise Me Up - Westlife
9. We'll Meet Again - Vera Lynn
10. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life - Eric Idle, from Monty Python's Life Of Brian
