Music has long been a powerful part of funerals, bringing people together in moments of loss and remembrance. Now, two Queensland performers are asking the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay communities to share their experiences with funeral songs—what was sung, why it mattered, and what songs people might choose for their own farewell.
Their collected stories will be woven into a new performance, Confessions of a Funeral Singer, set to be staged at Anywhere Festival Moreton Bay in May 2025.
A Community-Driven Performance on Music and Mourning
Artists Leah Cotterell and Narelle McCoy are leading this project, drawing from years of research into music, death rituals, and personal reflections on grief. They are appealing to locals who have sung at funerals, attended services with memorable songs, or have personal choices for their own final farewell.
The performance will occur at Woody Point Community Hall, The Hills District Community Centre, and Dayboro Community Hall. It will feature real-life stories and music reflecting the emotions surrounding funeral singing—ranging from solemnity and sorrow to moments of unexpected laughter.
For Cotterell and McCoy, funeral music is more than just tradition but a shared experience that unites mourners. They aim to create a space where people can explore how songs help them navigate loss while acknowledging the diverse cultural and personal meanings behind music choices.
From Cemeteries to Community Halls
This project follows their previous work, Whistling Past the Graveyard, which was performed in South Brisbane Cemetery (2023-2024) and at Redcliffe Museum (2024). Those performances blended academic research, personal memoirs, and music to encourage conversations about death, funeral rituals, and the emotions surrounding them.
With Confessions of a Funeral Singer, they are shifting the focus to the role of music in modern funerals, engaging with the public to gather firsthand accounts. Their research includes insights from McCoy’s studies on Irish wake traditions and Cotterell’s experience as a carer and musician, examining the intersection of music, empathy, and mourning.
How to Contribute
Cotterell and McCoy are inviting community members to share their funeral singing stories via email at confessionsofafuneralsinger@gmail.com. Whether it’s a song that deeply resonated at a loved one’s farewell or a humorous moment in a service, they are keen to hear personal experiences that highlight the role of music in saying goodbye.
Published 11-February-2025
