The UK’s largest funeral director, Co-operative Funeralcare has taken on a new role...as a music producer.

Funeral songs

The initiative sees the current Scottish Champion Co-operative Funeralcare and the Glasgow Phoenix Choir join forces to record 'Songs of Solace', a collection of popular contemporary songs, hymns and classical music requested at funerals.

Research

The tracks were selected from charts compiled by Co-operative Funeralcare earlier this year, following research into the most popular music requests at services in over 240 funeral homes.

Lorinda Sheasby, Head of Marketing at Co-operative Funeralcare, told 4BR: "This is music, which in its own way, means a lot to people. The collection is aimed squarely at the general public for listening to on any occasion and will, we hope, evoke good memories of those who’ve passed on. Music is very powerful way of defining a person’s life."

The tracks were selected from charts compiled by Co-operative Funeralcare earlier this year, following research into the most popular music requests at services in over 240 funeral homes4BR

You Raise Me Up

The music featured included 'Abide with Me' and 'The Lord is My Shepherd' to more modern songs such as 'You Raise Me Up', and, 'Wind Beneath My Wings'.

The two musical organisations have worked together in the past — but this is the first time that they will be brought together in this way.

High class

Robin Basu, Manager of Co-operative Funeralcare Band, added: "We’re delighted to have joined with the Glasgow Phoenix Choir, which is renowned for its high class repertoires. We hope that Songs of Solace will be the first of many recordings with them."