Frank Sinatra’s My Way has been replaced by Monty Python’s Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life as the most popular song played at funerals, new research has found.

A study by The Co-operative Funeralcare showed that traditional hymns, football anthems and classic pop songs top the list of the “funeral music chart”.

A study of songs played at 30,000 funerals also showed some unusual requests such as Abba, Elvis Presley, Star Wars or Blues Brothers fancy dress themed services.

The top 10 included Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, The Lord Is My Shepherd, Abide With Me, Match Of The Day theme, My Way, All Things Bright And Beautiful and Angels by Robbie Williams.

Queen is the most popular group for funeral songs such as Who Wants To Live Forever, while an increasing number of songs written by the deceased are played.

David Collingwood, operations director of The Co-operative Funeralcare, said: “We think we may be seeing a generational shift in attitudes towards funerals, and the choice of music being requested.

“Music plays such an important part in people’s lives that it now acts as the theme tune to their passing. Modern funerals are very much about personal choice, which can be reflected in the choice of music, dress, coffin, flowers, hearses or memorials.”