Funerals & memorial services · Short notice welcome
Funeral Organist for Services in Lancashire & Greater Manchester
When someone you love has died, the music should be the last thing you have to worry about. I offer calm, reliable organ music for funerals and memorial services — played with dignity, care and respect.
Service in the next 48 hours? Please call or WhatsApp rather than using the form — I'll reply as quickly as I can.
A personal approach
Music that honours a life
Every funeral is unique. Some families want the traditional hymns sung by generations before them; others have a piece of music that meant everything to the person they've lost. Whatever you have in mind, I'm here to help — and if you're not sure where to start, I'll gently suggest music that works well for the service and the building.
I can work directly with your funeral director and minister or celebrant, so you don't have to pass messages back and forth. From the opening voluntary to the final commendation, the music will be in professional hands.
I'm available for midweek funerals throughout Lancashire and Greater Manchester, both morning and afternoon, in churches, chapels and crematoria.
What I provide
- Quiet music as mourners arrive
- Hymns accompanied for the congregation
- Music during reflection or the committal
- A closing voluntary as the family leaves
- Help choosing hymns and music
- Direct liaison with your funeral director
- No cancellation fee for funeral services
Funeral directors: see how I work with you.
Choosing music
Popular funeral hymns and organ music
If you need a starting point, these are among the most frequently chosen for funerals and memorial services.
Hymns
- The Lord's My Shepherd (Crimond)
- Abide With Me
- The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended
- How Great Thou Art
- Amazing Grace
- All Things Bright and Beautiful
- Be Still, My Soul
Organ music
- Nimrod (Enigma Variations) — Elgar
- Air on the G String — Bach
- Largo (Ombra mai fù) — Handel
- Ave Maria — Schubert
- Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring — Bach
- A favourite song, arranged for organ
Funeral questions
Arranging an organist for a funeral
Can you play for a funeral at short notice?
Often, yes. For anything in the next 48 hours, please call or WhatsApp 07359 670332 and I'll do everything I can to help.
Do I book you, or does the funeral director?
Either works. Many families ask their funeral director to book me; others contact me directly. I'm happy to liaise with the funeral director and minister on your behalf.
Do you play at crematoria as well as churches?
Yes, wherever there's an organ or a suitable instrument — churches, chapels and crematorium chapels. If you're not sure whether your venue has an organ, your funeral director can check, or I can.
When do we need to choose the music?
Ideally when you book, and no later than 48 hours before the service. If you can't decide, I can suggest music that will suit the service.
How is payment made for a funeral?
Payment is due before or on the day of the service, by bank transfer or card. Many funeral directors include the organist's fee in their account as a disbursement. There's no cancellation fee for funeral services.