Willie Nelson Tune Lands On List Of Most Unusual Funeral Songs

In discussing the unusual song list, Centennial Park CEO Bryan Elliot notes that the recent trend in funeral music is to choose musical selections that are less traditional and more personal in order to tailor the service to match the individuality of the recently deceased. For those wondering how guests and family members accept the appearance of a classic rock song at a somber ceremony, Elliot states that, “Some of the more unusual songs we hear actually work very well within the service, because they represent the person’s character.”

I wonder if we’d see more country music make the list if an American-based funeral provider followed Centennial’s cue.

“I really was trying to build a strong foundation for myself. This is all I want to do. I really didn’t care if I had one of those shoot-up-to-No. 1 singles,” she says. “It really gives me a place to grow to and also validates me as an artist.

“I feel like I can breathe a little bit now. People are finally saying, ‘OK, we understand what you do, and we accept it and we lift it up.’ I think it just gives me the freedom to be who I am.”

She’s currently writing material for her next album, which she plans to have ready for an early 2009 release.

“In six sentences, the record goes like this: Here’s the kid being told everything’s going to be great. Here’s the reality of that. Here’s that kid when he comes home a sad and banged-up and angry ‘winner.’ Here’s the breakdown of why I think that’s happening. Here’s the guy in our culture that I think is causing that to happen, and it’s not a president. And then here’s what I think is going to happen to that guy. And then we roll credits.”