Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- Highland Bagpipes, Kilts, Hose, Proper training in Bagpiping, The right tunes to be played at the service, and RESPECT
Step1
Always be early and keep your pipes tuned. Think of the tune or tunes you will be playing and be prepared to play them. Make sure you have had contact with the funeral director and have advised him of what you will be doing. Inform the funeral director that the family has requested your playing the bagpipes. You then should go to the priest or pastor and get permission to play inside the church or at the place the service will be done.
Step2
When the hearse arrives with the remains wait untill the hearse's door is opened. Start to play as they take out the remains and keep playing as they are taken into the church. Continue playing as the family walks by you.
When you are finished, check out to see where every one is seated and determine the best place to play {ex. the loft, front, or rear of church}
Step3
During communion would be a nice time to play the tune "Amazing Grace" It is usually proper when the person giving the talk about the deceased is finished. While the body is being taken out is another proper time another tune can be played, but many times there will be other music being played. If that is the case, wait until the church door is opened and as the body is taken by you to begin playing. You can play a tune, then stop when the body is in the hearse and family members have exited the church.
Step4
Wait until the funeral procession has started to leave and start to play a farewell tune. Continue playing until all of the cars have gone pass you.
BagPiperNY.com & BagPiperPA.com
Novice
Comments
pabagpiper said
on 12/29/2007 Yes at the Cemetery,when doing a service person,The Person doing the final pray,would pray 1st then taps,flag folding and presentation,then the bagpiper plays that is what I think the protocal is...Amazing Grace Bagpiper
wikedwestwitch said
on 12/3/2007 Thank you for your information - It might be good to 'add' information about playing (protocol) at the cemetery also, as many services done today, bypass formal church ceremonies? I have only witnessed bagpipe playing at places of interment. Thanx!