The appearance of a piper can prove very dramatic whilst family and friends pay tribute to their departed loved ones. This is assisted by the emotive sound of the bagpipes playing traditional songs that can uplift the spirit or touch the heart. Seen over the ages at state and military funerals and remembrance days - solo pipers are a fitting part of funerals worldwide.

A piper can play at a number of key stages in proceedings, including:-

• As cortege/congregation arrives at the church or crematorium

Burials

• While the coffin is taken from the chapel to the hearse
• Whilst leading the coffin from the hearse to the graveside
• At the graveside - pipe as the coffin is lowered into the grave and afterwards as loved ones gather.
  
  (Note: it is also very effective to have the piper march away with the sound of the bagpipes fading in the distance)

Cremations

• As the coffin is taken from the hearse inside the crematorium
• During the service - pipe as the wreath is laid and/or as the curtain is drawn
• At the end of the service as people leave the crematorium

Music

Some popular tunes for funerals and remembrance days are listed below - most are well known traditional tunes with wonderful melodies, sometimes haunting, often uplifting. A piper will seek to play the most appropriate combination based on the personal wishes of the family.