Funerals
Few instruments can rival the bagpipes’ overwhelming reverence and spirit, so it’s no surprise that they’re used at memorials, funerals, celebrations-of-life, and Irish wakes. It’s a remarkable and humbling experience.
Matthew endeavors to make his part of the service as uncomplicated as possible so that you can spend more time with your friends and family rather than worrying about the details of the service. Bookings for a bagpiper can come in two varieties or a combination of both.
Church-side Booking
A booking at a church service includes 15-20 minutes of pre-music at the church while the guests arrive. This will include a selection of appropriate somber tunes (see below). Considering its volume, the piper will usually stand outside the entrance of or at a distance from the venue (with the doors open) to play the pre-music.
As the casket arrives, the piper usually plays Amazing Grace or a special tune as it is moved into the church. After the service, the piper may escort the casket from the alter to the hearse playing Amazing Grace or a requested tune.
Grave-side Booking
With this booking, the piper will play 10-15 minutes of music at the graveside as the guests arrive. It is typical for the piper to play Amazing Grace as the casket is moved from the hearse to the site. The family may wish for the piper to play a special number as the casket is lowered.
For military-associated services, it is typical for the piper to play Amazing Grace after the sounding of Taps and to play Flowers of the Forest after the service has ended.
Clients may also choose a combination of church and grave-side bookings. Matthew is flexible! For locations that are significantly far apart, he may charge a nominal extra fee.
Memorial Services
Memorial services, including, wakes and Celebrations of Life may be similar to a funeral but may include traditional, more upbeat tunes in addition to the usual somber tunes. The piper may play 15-20 minutes of music as guests arrive and play special tunes during the ceremony.
Tune List for Funerals
Tunes for funerals and memorials are typically slow airs, somber retreat marches, and hymns. Here are some examples of these tunes with a few more upbeat selections that may be appropriate:
Slow Tunes
-Amazing Grace
-Shenandoah
-Danny Boy
-Abide With Me
-Dawning of the Day
-Going Home
-Hector the Hero
-Mo Ghilie Mear
-Moonrise Air
-Children of Larbert
-Leaving Lismore
-Cabar Feidh Pibroch (1st Part)
-Flowers of the Forest (for Military)
-Taps (for Military)
Upbeat Tunes
-Scotland the Brave
-When the Battle’s ‘Oer
-Green Hills of Tyrol
-Heights of Dargai
Additional tunes may be available upon request, time permitting.
What Will the Piper Wear?
Matthew’s traditional Highland dress reflects the solemnity of the occasion. He will be in black argyle jacket and vest and his family Wallace tartan kilt. To show further respect to the occasion, he will were black kilt socks and equip black drone cords on his pipes. He will wear his Glengarry hat both outside and inside when playing.
Matthew is committed to playing in nearly ANY weather condition at no additional cost (the exception is outside during active lightning). In inclement weather, he may wear a traditional Inverness rain coat/cape over his highland dress, or, in cold conditions, a military style commando sweater (a traditional sweater for pipers).
What Will a Service Cost?
The standard fee for funerals is $300 for venues within 30 miles of Melbourne, FL. This includes most playing requests within reason. See above for a typical service.
For locations more than 30 miles outside of Melbourne the fee will start at $350. Venues more than 3 hours away may require an overnight stay (lodging costs added to fee).
Matthew is very flexible and willing to accommodate most playing requests. Services that involve more than 30 consecutive minutes of playing time or are unusually long may be requested and will add to the price (these situations are unusual).
Please note that I will play in nearly ANY weather conditions, unlike some musicians!
Forms of Payment
Matthew accepts cash, check, money orders, Apple Pay, Venmo, and Paypal.
Payments due at time of service.
Forms of Payment
Matthew accepts cash, check, money orders, Apple Pay, Venmo, and Paypal.
Payments due at time of service.
Ready To Book Your Event?
Click the button to send a booking request or ask a question and Matthew will get back to you shortly.