Funeral ceremony arrangements

Funeral music: music for the ceremony

Live music or the deceased's favourite recordings, played at an appropriate moment. We provide sound equipment in the farewell room and at the graveside, and help choose music suited to the ceremony.

Call 24/7: 660 950 600

Illustration of headphones and a closed folder for a guide to choosing music. — Illustrative image.

Key information

Music is agreed as part of the funeral arrangements. Live music or selected recordings can accompany the farewell room, journey to the cemetery and graveside. Give us a track list or files. Please contact us: 660 950 600.

Live music

Violin, trumpet or singing: the instrument and repertoire are chosen to suit the ceremony.

Favourite tracks

We can play recordings important to the deceased and family; provide the titles or files.

Our own sound equipment

We provide equipment in the farewell room and at the graveside, without a separate equipment hire.

Help choosing music

We can suggest how many tracks to prepare and when to play them during the ceremony.

How it works

Music at each stage of the farewell

Music helps structure the ceremony and gives loved ones a moment to pause. It commonly appears at four stages: the entrance and welcome, farewell beside the coffin or urn, departure and the final graveside farewell.

Farewell in the room. Our farewell room at Old Powązki has its own sound equipment. Selected recordings can be played or a musician invited. This is the stage most often chosen for non-sacred music.

Religious ceremony. The parish decides music for Mass, usually from the sacred repertoire. We can arrange the details and include songs important to the deceased in the farewell room or at the graveside instead.

Secular ceremony. The repertoire here can be chosen freely. Together with the celebrant, we fit music around speeches and memories - see how a secular funeral is organised.

At the graveside. Trumpet or violin is increasingly chosen for the closing farewell, including a funeral with an honour guard (military funeral).

Funeral music: trumpet during a farewell

What to prepare

How to give us your music choices

The simplest option is a list of titles and performers or files sent by email or on a USB drive. Please provide them no later than the day before the ceremony so that recording quality and order can be checked calmly.

If you are unsure what to choose, tell us a little about the deceased: what they listened to and whether the ceremony should be more traditional or personal. We can suggest suitable options and explain what the parish permits.

Questions and answers

Frequently asked questions

Live music or a recording?+

Both options are possible. Live music (e.g. violin, trumpet, vocals) creates a distinctive mood for the ceremony; playing selected recordings lets you say goodbye with the pieces your loved one truly liked. We provide the sound system in both cases.

Can the deceased’s favourite song be played in church?+

The parish decides on the music for the mass and a sacred repertoire usually applies. Other pieces are most often played during the farewell in the hall, on the way to the cemetery or at the graveside. We will arrange this with the parish for you.

What music is chosen for a secular funeral?+

At a secular ceremony the repertoire is entirely free - from classical music to the deceased’s favourite pieces. We prepare the running order together with the master of ceremonies, matching the musical cues to the speeches and the farewell.

How many pieces of music should be prepared?+

Three to five are usually enough: for the entrance, for the farewell, for carrying out the coffin or urn, and for the closing at the graveside. We will help you choose the number and the order.

In what form should the recordings be provided?+

The most convenient way is as files (e.g. MP3) sent by e-mail or on a USB stick, or as a list of titles - we will take care of the rest. Please provide them at the latest the day before the ceremony.