An honourable farewell

In sorrow and in celebration, let the pipes speak when words fall short.

The heart-touching tones of the pipes have long been a symbol of respect, strength, and solemn remembrance.

A funeral service at a gravesite with a priest, a man holding a box, and a bagpiper in traditional Scottish attire. The priest is reading from a book, the man is holding a small stack of books, and the bagpiper is standing in the background.

Repertoire (Selection of Tunes)

Through several years of piping for funeral services, I have developed a diverse selection of tunes that will provide a fitting send-off.

I aspire to work closely with families, directors and celebrants to achieve a truly dignifying departure.

Slow Airs:

  • Amazing Grace

  • The Water is Wide

  • Hector the Hero

  • The Dark Island

  • Mull of Kintyre

  • The Rowan Tree

  • Flower of Scotland

  • Abide with Me

  • Going Home

Marches:

  • Auld Lang Syne

  • Highland Cathedral

  • Scotland the Brave/The Black Bear

  • Waltzing Matilda

  • A Scottish Soldier (Green Hills of Tyrol)

Military Personnel:

  • Flowers of the Forest (The Lament)

You may notice that some tunes are highlighted in bold. These tunes are my expert recommendations that may be included in ceremony. Namely Amazing Grace during the service and Auld Lang Syne as the Lone Piper’s Departure.

The Lone Piper’s Departure is a sacred tradition where at the conclusion of the ceremony, either guiding the hearse away for cremation or after their coffin is lowered into their final resting place, the piper begins to play and marches away from the congregation, where the sound of the bagpipes slowly fades away in the distance.

“A piper helps to direct departed souls towards Heaven’s Gates. The walking away symbolises the piper leading the departed to the Hereafter, yet stopping short of the Gate through which he cannot pass.”