Our Monthly Tip: Consider Live Music for a Celebration of Life

The hang drum is surprisingly melodic to hear, and encourages a gathering of the community.
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Our Tip of the Month

One musician playing live music has a unique ability to evoke emotion, foster connection and offer solace during times of loss. At a memorial service or celebration of life, live music can create an atmosphere of reflection and healing, offering attendees a shared space to honor the departed while processing their grief. The gentle strum of a singular guitar, the soulful sound of a piano or the poignant voice of a singer can convey feelings that words often cannot, helping to ease the emotional weight of the occasion.

Always a favorite, the violin’s sweet sound elicits memories.
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Music has long been associated with memory and emotion, making it a powerful tool to celebrate the life of a loved one. A meaningful song or melody can evoke cherished memories, provide a sense of continuity and remind attendees of the joy their loved one brought into the world. Whether it’s a favorite tune of the departed or a piece selected to reflect their spirit, live music transforms the service into a deeply personal and cathartic experience, helping mourners find healing, comfort and connection in the midst of their loss.

Rarely considered, a harp can be most fitting and poignant for a memorial.
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How-To Suggestions:

• Consider the unique type of soothing music you want to hear, as well as what kinds of music the person loved.
• All music can be healing, but you want to strike the right tone to reflect the mood of the celebration.
• When planning your memorial celebration, understand that solo artists convey a different vibe than a band or a small group. Solo performances typically call for thoughtful reflection and contemplation of the music inviting a collective sense of healing.

Is there anything more captivating than listening to the dulcet tones of a flute?
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Although unconventional, the harmonica is capable of producing hauntingly soulful music, perfect for a memorial.
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Bagpipes are often played at law enforcement and military funerals. They convey a solemn, traditional and beautiful sense of grandiosity.
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Nothing is more entrancing than the sound of crystal bowls as they sing and vibrate into the shared space.
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A Russian Balalaika has a wide range of tones, evoked by either strumming or plucking of the strings.
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The banjo, although typically an unexpected guest at a memorial service, can be just the right touch of eccentricity for a person being honored who liked to stir things up.
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As classic as it gets, a pianist can play and elicit a wide variety of sounds and songs.
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A hand drum adds a background rhythm to the activities for a celebration of life
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