Can You Play Any Music at a Funeral in the UK?

Last updated: 11 April 2026

Most families assume their loved one’s music choices will be restricted at a funeral — hymns only, or whatever the funeral director suggests. The truth is far more flexible, and it’s one of the kindest ways to honour someone’s memory. In 2026, UK funerals are personal celebrations, not rigid ceremonies, and the music you choose can tell the story of who they were. Whether your mum loved 1980s pop, your dad was a lifelong rock fan, or your friend had a weakness for show tunes, those songs can absolutely be part of the service. But there are a few practical things to know first — copyright considerations, technical setup, venue limitations, and how to coordinate it all without stress during one of the hardest weeks of your life. This guide answers the most common questions families ask us at The Teal Farm, drawn from fifteen years of hosting wakes and celebrations of life in Washington NE38.

The Short Answer: What’s Actually Allowed

Yes, you can play virtually any music at a UK funeral, wake, or celebration of life. There is no law preventing you from choosing specific artists, genres, or songs. The only practical limit is the venue’s technical capability and your funeral director’s willingness to help coordinate it.

Over the past fifteen years at The Teal Farm, I’ve seen families play everything from Elvis to Ed Sheeran, from classical pieces to punk rock. One family played their dad’s favourite cricket commentary as guests arrived. Another had their mum’s wedding song playing softly during the reception. The only real rule is that the music should feel right for the person and the occasion — and that decision belongs entirely to you and your family.

Religious funerals typically include hymns chosen by the family and the officiant. But even within a church service, you have flexibility. Many families add a secular song or instrumental piece somewhere in the order of service — during the entrance, the exit, or at the wake afterwards. Celebration of life music ideas are even more open — the whole point is to reflect the person’s personality and tastes.

The distinction that matters is not between what’s “allowed” and what isn’t, but between different types of services, and what equipment different venues have available. A crematorium chapel might have limited sound equipment. A church usually has an organist or music system. A pub wake — where many Washington families gather after the service — can often accommodate more flexibility with AV support than you’d expect.

Copyright and Playing Music Legally

This is the question families often worry about most, and it’s worth understanding clearly. Playing recorded music in a public or semi-public space (like a crematorium chapel, church hall, or pub) requires a performing rights licence — but this is not your responsibility as the family.

Here’s how it works in practice:

• Crematoriums and funeral homes — these venues hold their own Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) and Performing Right Society (PRS) licences. They can legally play any commercially released recording without you needing to do anything. The small fee is built into their operating costs.
• Churches — most have music licences in place, either through the Church of England music licensing agreements or equivalent bodies. Your funeral director will know and will coordinate this.
• Pubs and hospitality venues — like The Teal Farm — hold PPL and PRS licences as part of their business licence. This means we can play any music legally for wakes and celebrations of life without additional paperwork from you.
• Private homes — if you’re playing music in your own home for a small gathering, there are no licensing requirements for private, non-profit use.

What you cannot do is play recorded music in a public venue without a licence, or without the venue holder’s licence. But in practice, every established funeral venue and crematorium in the UK holds the necessary licences. Your only responsibility is to tell your funeral director or wake venue what songs you’d like played, and they’ll make it happen.

If you’re arranging a celebration of life at wake venues in washington like The Teal Farm, the music licensing is already covered as part of our service. We have full AV support for music and photo slideshows, and we can play any track you request without additional cost or legal complication.

Where and How to Play Your Choice of Music

Different parts of your funeral and wake may use different sound systems, and understanding this helps you plan better.

During the Service (Crematorium or Church)

Most crematorium chapels in the North East — including Birtley and Sunderland, which are minutes from Washington — have sound systems. You provide your funeral director with the songs you’d like, usually on a USB stick or via a simple request form. They load them into their system and play them at the moments you’ve chosen: as people arrive, during the committal, or as people leave.

If you want live music — a guitarist, pianist, or vocalist — you can arrange this independently, and your funeral director will coordinate timing and any technical support needed.

At the Wake or Celebration of Life

This is where more personal and varied music choices happen. A wake in a pub or hotel gives you more control over the atmosphere through music. At The Teal Farm, we have full AV support, which means you can create a playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube and play it through our sound system. Many families compile a playlist of songs that meant something to their loved one, and it plays softly in the background as guests chat, eat, and share memories.

Some families are more intentional: they’ll have specific songs linked to moments — perhaps a particular artist’s greatest hits during the reception, or a transition to quieter, more contemplative music as the afternoon goes on.

Technical Considerations

The main thing is to check with your venue about what format they prefer. Most venues in 2026 can handle:

• Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube playlists (streamed via their Wi-Fi)
• USB stick with MP3 files
• Bluetooth connection from a phone or laptop

If you’re unsure what your crematorium or funeral director can accommodate, just ask. They’re used to this question and will tell you exactly what works best. The same applies to how to book Teal Farm for a wake — we’ll discuss your music needs when you contact us, and we can usually sort it within 48 hours of your request.

Planning the Music for Your Wake or Celebration

The practical process is simpler than it feels in the days after a loss. Here’s how most families approach it:

Step One: Gather Your Song Choices

Sit with close family members or friends and think about the songs that mattered to your loved one. Ask yourself: What did they sing in the shower? What did they put on road trips? What made them dance? What was playing on their favourite radio station? These often reveal more than formal “favourite song” declarations.

Write down 10–15 songs. You don’t need to use all of them — your funeral director will help you choose which ones fit the service and which are better for the wake afterwards.

Step Two: Create a Playlist Structure

Think about the mood arc of your event. Most services and wakes benefit from a gentle opening (as people arrive and settle), a focal point or two (maybe a song that was particularly meaningful), and a quieter closing. For a wake that lasts 2–3 hours, you might have music playing at a low volume throughout.

A simple structure might look like:

• Arrival: Gentle instrumental or the person’s favourite artist (low volume)
• During the service: Chosen songs at specific moments
• During the reception: Uplifting or nostalgic songs (medium volume)
• As people are leaving: Something reflective or warm

Step Three: Tell Your Funeral Director or Wake Venue

Be specific. Instead of saying “my dad loved rock music,” say “he loved David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd.” Instead of “she wanted something uplifting,” say “she loved the song ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ by Queen.” Specific details help your funeral director create the right atmosphere.

If you’re uncertain about copyright or technical format, you don’t need to worry — just mention the song title and artist. Your venue will handle the rest.

Step Four: Test It (If Possible)

If your wake is at a venue like The Teal Farm, you can often arrange to visit beforehand and test your playlist on their sound system. This gives you a chance to check volume levels and ensure the songs flow well together. Many families find this process therapeutic — it’s a way of feeling close to their loved one in the days before the service.

For crematorium services, you won’t usually have this chance, but your funeral director will do the technical check for you.

What Happens If Things Go Wrong

It’s rare, but sound equipment occasionally fails, or a USB stick doesn’t play as expected. Here’s what actually happens in those moments.

First, venues and funeral directors have contingency plans. Most crematoriums have backup equipment. Pubs and hotels like The Teal Farm can switch to a phone or tablet connection if the primary system fails. It’s designed to be seamless.

Second, if a technical failure happens and you’re unable to play a specific song, the service still goes on. Your loved one is still remembered, and the focus remains on the people gathered and the stories shared. Music adds to the atmosphere, but it’s not the foundation of your funeral — the people and memories are.

If you’re worried about this, mention it when you book your venue. Many families feel reassured by knowing the backup plan, and it’s a completely reasonable thing to ask about. celebration of life washington venues are used to these conversations.

One more reassurance: in my fifteen years at The Teal Farm, I’ve never seen a family regret their music choices. What I’ve seen is music bringing people together, sparking memories, and making a difficult day feel a little bit warmer. A song your dad loved playing softly as people arrive, or your mum’s favourite tune during the wake reception — these moments matter more than you realise when you’re in the first days of grief.

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