Just Had A Phone Call

[djsteve10]

Hey people,

Just had a phone call on the mobile, asking me if i was free on tuesday afternoon... so i said yes it shouldn't be a problem i had the intentions this was going to be a store promotion... Then i asked the question what is the even and the lady replied "it's for a funeral love, We want it to be happy" so i said fair enough but i don't provide entertainment for funerals, never have done and never will. I don't go to them let alone Dj at them. She said she had phoned everyone in the local yellow pages but hasn't had no joy, i'm not suprised ....

What do you people think?

[Sam]

Depends how much it would effect you emotionally.
A job is a job though. :)

[wensleydale]

why not.
people want music i provide music.
i know that when i go i want a night of cheesy music played.
lifes too short

[djsteve10]

its not the sort of function to be providing entertainment for...

i can understand they want it be a happy function but to put it blunt, a dead person isnt going to be able to appreciate a disco!

sorry to be harsh!

[rob1963]

the lady replied "it's for a funeral love, We want it to be happy"

She might have thought it was a good idea, but how can you expect people at a funeral to be happy or in a party mood?

Simply adding a DJ to a funeral won't magically turn it from a sombre occasion into one big party!

I think you were right to turn it down.

That's also what I would have done.

[Sam]

its not the sort of function to be providing entertainment for...

i can understand they want it be a happy function but to put it blunt, a dead person isnt going to be able to appreciate a disco!

sorry to be harsh!

no but it helps people celebrate their life.. and people do that it in different ways.. maybe it was her way :)

I expect it wasn't just her idea.. but a joint decision involvling a lot of the relations to book a disco.

[djsteve10]

well i would hope it was a joint discussion, Can you imagine to look on peoples faces when you turn up to the wake with aload of sound and light and start setting up.

[Corabar Steve]

Have none of you been to a funeral where the post service gathering has been upbeat with people laughing & joking then? Most of the ones I've been to have turned out that way.


A wake is a ceremony associated with death. Traditionally, a wake takes place in the house of the deceased, with the body present; however, modern wakes are often performed at a funeral home.

The tradition stems historically from an ancient tradition of watching over the deceased's body in the hope that life might return and the term in many places is now synonymous with viewing or funeral visitation. The purpose of the wake has evolved so that now it is a time for the deceased's friends and loved ones to gather and to console the immediate family prior to the funeral. In Australia, New Zealand, and northern England, the wake commonly happens after the funeral service in the absence of the body and is often "wet" -- which is to say alcohol and food are served and, as a result, the wake often resembles a party for the deceased as well as being of comfort for their family. In this way it follows the model of the traditional Irish wake, although there is a long tradition of feasting and celebration connected with funeral service amongst the Māori of New Zealand that predates European settlement.

[rob1963]

I expect it wasn't just her idea.. but a joint decision involvling a lot of the relations to book a disco.

And what's the betting that after the event, with the benefit of hindsight, she regrets her decision to book that disco?

[djsteve10]

i've never been to a funeral what has been like that... Just one of them things that i am not prepared to provide for...

[Sam]

And what's the betting that after the event, with the benefit of hindsight, she regrets her decision to book that disco?

maybe. but different people grieve in different ways.

[rob1963]

maybe. but different people grieve in different ways.

I can't argue with that.

[djsteve10]

yeah but come on its abit far down the line that tho... grieving with your arms in the air to the YMCA or jumping around to madness!

[Corabar Steve]

I've seen it done & most agreed that it was the best possible send off the deceased could've had

[Excalibur]

Hey people,

Just had a phone call on the mobile, asking me if i was free on tuesday afternoon... so i said yes it shouldn't be a problem i had the intentions this was going to be a store promotion... Then i asked the question what is the even and the lady replied "it's for a funeral love, We want it to be happy" so i said fair enough but i don't provide entertainment for funerals, never have done and never will. I don't go to them let alone Dj at them. She said she had phoned everyone in the local yellow pages but hasn't had no joy, i'm not suprised ....

What do you people think?

Well I sincerely hope someone books one for when I go!

[BeerFunk]

A funeral is a celebration of a life, although it can be different if that person had their life ended before they got old.

[djsteve10]

Well I sincerely hope someone books one for when I go!

so long is thats what you want then there isnt a problem with it,.... but having a disco for someone who has passed on is putting the phrase "any excuse for a party" to damm good use.

[leighinstoke]

Closest I've ever got to this was playing music for a Humanist Funeral at the University I worked for - all pieces of music that the deceased had enjoyed.

Was all on one CD and played at relevant points - often after readings.

Very sombre occasion as you can imagine but the music had meaning to various people there for reflection, etc. I simply placed myself with a CD player in a very discrete corner and placed powered mini-speakers (2 x Cambridge Soundworks systems if I remember?) in equally discrete places to fill the place with sound.

All very tasteful and appreciated.

Leigh....



(As for family funerals within my own family, I'm usually at the table making the noise and laughing the most at the wake which is exactly how I want it to be at mine - no disco though!)

[Sam]

so long is thats what you want then there isnt a problem with it,.... but having a disco for someone who has passed on is putting the phrase "any excuse for a party" to damm good use.

So how do you know that this guy didn't want one?

And oh yes... i'm sure they are using their relation / friend / loved one dieing as an excuse for a party... pfft.

[djsteve10]

because the lady on the phone said "I want it to be happy not sad and gloomy like he would of wanted"

thats what made me say no

[Corabar Steve]

yeah but come on its abit far down the line that tho... grieving with your arms in the air to the YMCA or jumping around to madness!
Now you're just being silly. As long as tha music is tasteful & not full on "hands in the air" party stuff, where's the problem with playing the deceased's favourite songs, or songs that people associate with them.

I fully intend for there to be a good bash after my funeral, 4 songs that MUST be played for me are:

Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't fear the) Reaper
Motorhead - Killed by death
Steve Harley & C○ckney Rebel - Make me smile (Come up & see me)
Faith No More - Edge of the world

[leighinstoke]

Eric Clapton - Knocking on Heavens Door?

Sorry.

Leigh....

[djsteve10]

but if they want music played why not just make a few cds up of the deceased favourite tracks and get them played there, no need for a Dj really is there

[Excalibur]

Now you're just being silly. As long as tha music is tasteful & not full on "hands in the air" party stuff, where's the problem with playing the deceased's favourite songs, or songs that people associate with them.

I fully intend for there to be a good bash after my funeral, 4 songs that MUST be played for me are:

Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't fear the) Reaper
Motorhead - Killed by death
Steve Harley & C○ckney Rebel - Make me smile (Come up & see me)
Faith No More - Edge of the world

Plus maybe
Bon Jovi- Sleep when I'm dead

[Sam]

but if they want music played why not just make a few cds up of the deceased favourite tracks and get them played there, no need for a Dj really is there

why start the thread if your going to argue with everyones thoughts?


What do you people think?

I reckon I would go for stupid songs.. think a bit of Lion King... with a bit of High School Musical.. and AND ANDDD!:

Jessica Simpson - These Boots Are Made For Walking... with video projection!

[djsteve10]

I am only looking at every angle of the subject, and i aint arguing,

[Corabar Entertainment]

because the lady on the phone said "I want it to be happy not sad and gloomy like he would of wanted"

thats what made me say noWhy didn't you tell us that in the first place? I agree - I wouldn't want to take on a client with that attitude - no matter what the occasion!

But I don't see a problem with a DJ for a funeral per se

[Corabar Steve]

Eric Clapton - Knocking on Heavens Door?

Sorry.

Leigh....No, I :Censored: hate Clapton


Plus maybe
Bon Jovi- Sleep when I'm dead
& It's my life

The DJ'll love me, it's turning into a playlist!



but if they want music played why not just make a few cds up of the deceased favourite tracks and get them played there, no need for a Dj really is there
Because the DJ has the equipment & the ability to control the mood. Obviously, you wouldn't go in all scanners, moving heads & lasers blasting. But subtle lighting, LED Pars, dimmed iColors etc would be fine I would expect.

[djsteve10]

i missed that bit out on the thread, was trying to get this thread posted rather quick...

[djsteve10]

No, I :Censored: hate Clapton


& It's my life

The DJ'll love me, it's turning into a playlist!



Because the DJ has the equipment & the ability to control the mood. Obviously, you wouldn't go in all scanners, moving heads & lasers blasting. But subtle lighting, LED Pars, dimmed iColors etc would be fine I would expect.


Well i didn't think about the LED pars and the dimmed icolors used in conjunction together before... very good idea Steve.

[Vectis]

I've done a (small - count on two hands) number of "Life Celebrations" over the years.

More often than not, for Irish families perhaps unsurprisingly.

They can be nerve-wracking but very touching experiences. Generally you get asked to play stuff by the deceased's favourite artists - if any lighting is needed, then it's very subtle. I tend to use just a mirrorball and maybe dig out some spot boxes in case it does liven up at some point. Very often you get interrupted by people wanting to say a few words of rememberance (more often as the night goes on)...

Handled well these events give a great sense of wellbeing. You always get thanked profusely and folks are really grateful to you.

I wish there were more gigs like this!

Edit: Tip: Don't round off with 'Tears in Heaven' even if Clapton was the deceased's favourite artist...

[Excalibur]

She might have thought it was a good idea, but how can you expect people at a funeral to be happy or in a party mood?

Simply adding a DJ to a funeral won't magically turn it from a sombre occasion into one big party!

I think you were right to turn it down.

That's also what I would have done.

In my experience, the funeral is usually sombre, sometimes very much so, but the gathering afterwards can tend to be a celebration of a life, rather than a mourning of a death. ( Assuming it's not for one ended way too soon. I went to one for my employer's son, and it was the grimmest one ever. )

[Sam]

Well i didn't think about the LED pars and the dimmed icolors used in conjunction together before... very good idea Steve.



Funny if your finger slipped and you put the iColours on full.. :D

[rob1963]

In my experience, the funeral is usually sombre, sometimes very much so, but the gathering afterwards can tend to be a celebration of a life, rather than a mourning of a death. ( Assuming it's not for one ended way too soon. I went to one for my employer's son, and it was the grimmest one ever. )

A celebration of life is one thing, but a DISCO??? :eek: :eek: :eek:

I once did a disco for a celebration of someone's life who had recently passed away.

I won't make that mistake again.

[Tom]

imo i think that having a disco for a funeral is a good idea. Why think about the bad when you can enjoy yourselves and celebrate the life of a loved one.

i went to a funeral disco and when the dj played a song and family member next to me starting that this was one of his favourite songs and start crying but smiling aswell.

when the disco finished everybody and i mean everybody went up to the DJ (myself included) and thanked him for a really good evening and most of the family said that that they wish he could of been here to see everything, but im sure he was watching anyway :)

but the sad thing was i didnt even know the family member. :(. someone on my mum's side. :(

[Sapphire Disco]

Well I think it would be the best way to send off a DJ :cool:

I want Darren to do mine, but with my gear :D

But basically if I was asked I would do it.

[Paul James Promotions]

"I want it to be happy not sad and gloomy like he would of wanted"


I agree - I wouldn't want to take on a client with that attitude - no matter what the occasion!

Maybe he meant she said "I want it to be happy not sad and gloomy, like he would of wanted". In other words, he wanted it to be happy.

[Dragonfly]

Id love a disco for my funeral .... well actually i wouldnt but you know what i mean..... id have to draw up a playlist though.

knockin on heavens door
get in the ring
im still standing
keep yourself alive
take my breath away
never say die

and so on and so forth

[Tom]

Id love a disco for my funeral

i would. i would make sure in my wil that everybody will have a good time and boogie the night away. but i would have to have my favourite song of all time played


Children Of Bodom by Children Of Bodom (self titled song)

if there are any true metal heads on here you must know this song :D

[Sam]

i think my idea of

Jessica simpson... these boots are made for walking - - on a video projection wins hands down.
And it would be a great 'memorial' to me.. because I love it :P and a funny 'joke' because everyone always laughs when me or my bro mention her name :)

[Corabar Entertainment]

"I want it to be happy not sad and gloomy like he would of wanted"



Maybe he meant she said "I want it to be happy not sad and gloomy, like he would of wanted". In other words, he wanted it to be happy.I suppose it could have been. As you've worked out, I read it as "I want it to be happy - not sad and gloomy like he would of wanted" ... as in 'stuff the old :Censored: '

[Sam]

I suppose it could have been. As you've worked out, I read it as "I want it to be happy - not sad and gloomy like he would of wanted" ... as in 'stuff the old :Censored: '

some how i doubt it.... :rolleyes:

[rob1963]

I want Darren to do mine, but with my gear :D

I want Darren to do mine too...but with HIS gear, coz my gear is toilet!

[Sapphire Disco]

I want Darren to do mine too...but with HIS gear, coz my gear is toilet!

Yes that's what I mean I don't want to make it too easy for him , I wanna be looking down watching him struggle a bit with my gear & music :D

[Dragonfly]

definately wouldn't have Daz Steve or Angela to do mine ......... They would get a little way into each track then change it for something totally different under the guise of ....."Its the way Dave lived his life" .......particularly on our forum !!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :beer1:

[Corabar Entertainment]

Yes that's what I mean I don't want to make it too easy for him , I wanna be looking down watching him struggle a bit with my gear & music :D
With that evil sense of humour.... are you sure you're going to be looking down on him, not looking up! :devil:

[Sapphire Disco]

With that evil sense of humour.... are you sure you're going to be looking down on him, not looking up! :devil:

Well now you say it I'm not certain which way it will be :D

But then it could be me using his gear ;)

[wensleydale]

i think your being a little naive- all funerals are not the same and the guests are hardly going to be doing the cha cha slide.
dont see a problem.

when i go i want to go on the conveyor belt to "free bird" by LS.
Not only because its a good song, but also because its about 8 mins and will create a very awkward silence for all my guests after the first minute!!

like i said before lifes too short- quite literally in some cases.

going back to the first post, i can well imagine that a funeral could in smoe cases be a lot better than playing music in your local branch of boots.

[robbiedj]

I have done a lot of celebrations of life for Irish familys and expect i will do more. The last one i had to play his favorite song 3 times Paddy magints goat. I am now also the first choice for any of the family birthdays & weddings.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I know a job is a job and money is money but if you were happy to turn it down then good luck to you. I would've done the same thing to be honest.

[theoloyla]

It is a little unusual but done right it is an excellent idea. A couple of months ago I turned up at a social club to do my regular afternoon line dance class and discovered that the hall was occupied by loads of people enjoying a drink and buffet after a funeral. I said to the steward "I didnt realise the line dancing was cancelled today" and she said that it wasnt and that I should set up as usual on the stage and when I began they would all move to the other bar. So thats what I did. Its a big hall and only a small class with about a dozen or so people who attend. Anyway at 2pm I announced that we were starting the class and also extended my condolences to the funeral party. I half expected to get some protests or complaints but on the contrary rather than retiring to the other bar most of the party stayed and watched the dancing and even applauded after each dance. Very strange situation.

[Corabar Entertainment]

I can see two distinct camps here: those who have experience of Irish funerals, and those who don't!

Coming from an Irish family, I don't find it strange at all to have music etc after the funeral.

In reality, the 'Wake' is actually the period between the time the person dies and the funeral, and during that period, people stay with the deceased 24 hours a day, with friends, family, neighbours etc visiting the house to take turns in sitting and staying awake with the body. Although there is food and drink on the go 24 hours a day during this period, it is a pretty staid and sombre time.

Then, a couple of days later, comes the funeral itself - which again is a time for mourning.

However, once the funeral is over, the rest of the day takes a similar format to a wedding! Everyone goes off to a venue where food and drink is supplied (often a full 3/4 course meal - like a wedding breakfast), followed by the speeches, followed by the celebration of the person's life.

Historically, music and dance has been such a large part of Irish life, whenever a group gets together there is ALWAYS music - although in times gone by, it would have been a 'jamming' session with anyone who could play / sing joining in, but with modern times, it's certainly not unusual to have recorded music played - ie a DJ.

[Dragonfly]

I once got asked by an Irish lady after a st. patricks night i did if i would do her husbands wake .... not strange you may think ...... he was sat next to her :eek: :eek: :eek: that was an awesome night had the bar staff dancing on the bar singing into microphone mops :D :D

[djsteve10]

had the bar staff dancing on the bar singing into microphone mops :D :D


Now that sounds like a good night, keeping them off your expensive mic then lol

[Excalibur]

A celebration of life is one thing, but a DISCO??? :eek: :eek: :eek:

I once did a disco for a celebration of someone's life who had recently passed away.

I won't make that mistake again.

I think we're deep in semantics here, the word DISCO is very emotive, implying folk strutting their funky stuff on the dancefloor. I have no problem in this case with no-one going on the dancefloor. Yes, let's play music relevant to the deceased, especially if he/she had music as a central part of their life. May start writing my playlist soon, I can feel a newe thread coming on-

" What would you like played at your funeral?"

The only certainty for mine as of now is " Summer of 69" through a system of at least 2Kw!:D ( at max volume of course)

[super-hero]

I have no problem doing the music for funerals. Lots of cultures and religions see it as a time to celebrate the life of the person, not to grieve their passing.

[robbiedj]

I have no problem doing the music for funerals. Lots of cultures and religions see it as a time to celebrate the life of the person, not to grieve their passing.

Exactly.

Have you ever seen a real West Indian funeral?

A Jazz band will often walk and play in the funeral procession. That's the way they like to go on that final journey. And why not?

[Cj_The_Dj]

i would do it if its what the man/woman wanted.

[Corabar Steve]

Exactly.

Have you ever seen a real West Indian funeral?
Many times in my days as a gravedigger. Singing right until the last sod is on the grave. (Good tippers too!)

[DJ Davy]

My niece (18 yrs old) was killed in a car crash 2 years ago, my brother in law wanted me to play music in celebration of her life after the funeral. He said he would understand if i didnt want to do it and he would get someone else. After serious consideration I said I would do it. No lights, low music playing 3 of her favourite songs and then her dad made a speech saying she would have wanted a party, I played another 90 minutes slightly louder (couldnt talk!) then called it a day! Hardest and most surreal thing I have ever done, but as I said to my wife it is the last thing I could have done for her, and if it helps her family grieve... To be honest it is something I would have said no problem to before.. but now I am not too sure.