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 âa celebration of the life ofâ the deceased.According to the new guidelines published on Archbishop Denis Hartâs 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.Melbourneâs 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, âMy Wayâ by Frank Sinatra, âTime to Say Goodbyeâ by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman and Bette Midlerâs version of âThe Wind Beneath My Wings.â
Killjoys. All of 'em.