Frequently Asked Questions
We started out in London but we can now perform anywhere in the UK. Travel expenses may apply if your service is outside of London.
The music can come at any time you like. We often sing to break the long silence during the communion, lead the congregational offertory hymn in a funeral mass, or perform a special song after the eulogy. Many people will have background organ music as the congregation arrives and leaves; some then have a special song or processional hymn as the coffin enters, and another when it leaves the church. We're happy to advise you about what would fit best with your service.
In our experience most people will have between 2 and 4 hymns at a funeral service. The lyrics for these are either printed in the Order of Service booklet, or in hymn books. However it's not mandatory to have hymns at a funeral, and you can include as many or as few as you like. Professional singers often lead the hymns, to give the congregation a helping hand. There may also be one or two hymns or songs where the lyrics aren't printed and the congregation can just sit and listen to the singer.
Yes, anything! We have a wide range of singers and will match whatever music you choose to the right voices from our book.
We provide a completely bespoke service, so each quote is tailored for your requirements. Things that will affect the cost include
- The number of singers you'd like
- The amount and type of music required
- Whether the singers will be leading the congregation or performing alone
- The amount of preparation and rehearsal required
- Whether or not a bespoke arrangement is needed
- The distance of the service from London.
We'll work with you to find the perfect arrangement to suit your budget.
Because we draw on a book of over 100 singers we will always be able to find singers for you, no matter the day, time, or location. If your service is outside of London there may be travel expenses, but so far we have always had singers available for every person who has enquired with us.
Ideally we'd like a minimum of one week to source exactly the right singers and to make all the arrangements, but we can send singers with as little as a day's notice.
As long as you can give us a reasonable amount of notice it's fine if you change your mind about what music you want. We understand that planning a funeral is a difficult time and that it's an important decision. We'll stay in touch with you all the way through until the day so you can always contact us if you have questions or want to change anything.
No. Once we have all the necessary details from you, we'll take it from there. You can stay in touch with us in the lead-up to the service if you like, but it may be that you speak to us once in the initial phone call/email and then just see us on the day. We'll get in touch with you if we need to check anything.
No. We want to leave you to concentrate on saying goodbye to your loved one, so the singers will be in place when the congregation arrives and will stay there until the venue is empty.
You don't need to pay us on the day, we'll send you an invoice after the service with all the necessary details. We accept payment by bank transfer or cheque.
We have a strict dress code of smart black, with a small silver brooch to identify them. Men will be in dark or black suits with a dark tie, and women in a black dress or smart trousers, and everyone will be neatly presented. Please let us know if there will be a different dress code for your service.
Yes, we sing at both religious and secular funerals, and funerals of any religion or tradition. Music is an important factor in the funeral rite no matter what traditions are followed, and we respect all beliefs and customs.
Yes, we have done many times! Having music at the graveside, or at an outdoor service is a popular option, and can help bring a more focused and intimate feel to an outdoor service.
We may make a recommendation according to your music choices, but ultimately it's up to you. We can provide everything from a single soloist to a choir of twenty! More singers will always result in a more uplifting performance, unless the venue is extremely small. If the singers will be singing traditional hymns we recommend choirs in multiples of four because most hymns are written in four parts. We're happy to advise you based on your requirements, and we'll balance the choir carefully no matter how many singers you choose.
Hear how different numbers of singers sound on our Listen page.
If your congregation will be singing together we strongly advise having someone to play the organ or piano. Many churches and crematoria have a resident organist, but we can also provide trained and vetted organists for a fee of £250 who will often also lead the rehearsal with the singers.
Yes we have many professional instrumentalists of all kinds on our books as well as singers - including organists, pianists, trumpeters, violinists, flautists, saxophonists, and string ensembles.
Yes, if you would love a special poem or reading at your service but are nervous of reading in public, or think that it might be too difficult for you to speak on the day, our performers can read for you.
No, you can book with us directly if you prefer. Contact us today to discuss your requirements.
We ask that you always let us know if there is going to be filming or live-streaming, so that we can tell the performers in advance. You are of course welcome to include our performers in a live-stream of the service, but we ask that this stay online only for a maximum 48 hours after the service. In order to protect our musicians' Performance Rights we ask that no recording of our performers be posted online, but kept for private use only. Full rights over the footage is negotiable in each case if you would like to discuss this with us.
Many people find that hearing a special song at a funeral service helps them to grieve, and to feel close to their loved one once again. Music simply goes to places that words can't reach, particularly when it's sung live especially for you and your congregation. It can also lift the more sombre moments in a funeral service, helping the congregation to feel more at ease and remember happy times with the person who has passed.
Still have questions?
We are always happy to talk through your needs over the phone, or via email.