



On Thursday in Australia, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne announced a ban on the playing of pop music at funerals, which, he said, are not to be described as “a celebration of the life of” the deceased.

According to the new guidelines published on Archbishop Denis Hart’s Web site:

Secular items are never to be sung or played at a Catholic funeral, such as romantic ballads, pop or rock music, political songs, football club songs.

Melbourne’s Herald Sun reported that the theme songs of sporting teams are among the most popular requests fielded by Australian funeral directors. The newspaper added:

Other popular songs included, “My Way” by Frank Sinatra, “Time to Say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman and Bette Midler’s version of “The Wind Beneath My Wings.”

A list of more unusual songs played at Australian funerals, according to a cemetery contacted by The Herald Sun, includes: “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” by Monty Python, “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen, “Highway to Hel,” by AC/DC and “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” from “The Wizard of Oz.”

The guidelines also address secular readings, which are allowed, within certain limits: “an appropriate poem or reflection may be read after the eulogy, provided it is in accord with the Christian hope of eternal life.”

A spokesman for the Catholic Church said the ban has received a mixed reaction in Melbourne, the BBC reported.