Life’s full of surprises. Just ask Donald Trump.

And now it’s the turn of Death to raise quizzical eyebrows amongst the populace.

Some time ago, I told you that popular songs were nudging aside traditional hymns at funeral services.

At that time, it was roughly a 50/50 split between traditional hymns and popular songs.

But now, Co-Op Funerals have revealed that in 2019, there wasn’t one traditional hymn in the “Top 10 Funeral Songs” chart. Not even Abide With Me or The Lord Is My Shepherd!

Whilst hymns may well continue to be sung at funerals of devout churchgoers, this striking change in musical tastes reflects how religion has less relevance to many people in the UK.

So, what songs replaced hymns at many funerals?

Let me give you a rundown in the style Alan Freeman used on ‘Pick Of The Pops’…

“Straight in at Number 10 are those very naughty Monty Python boys with “Always Look On The Bright Side of Life!”

At Number 9, Vera Lynn promises “We’ll Meet Again”.

And at Number 8 we’ll meet Westlife with “You Raise Me Up”.

Nat “King” Cole is the merry old soul at Number 7 with “Unforgettable”

And let us not forget that Ed Sheehan’s making his funeral chart debut with “Supermarket Flowers” at Number 6.

Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings” is hovering at Number 5.

And those wings might well belong to Robbie Williams “Angels” at Number 4.

While the girl with the voice of an angel, Eva Cassidy, is “Over The Rainbow” at Number 3 – Time to say “Hello” to Andrea Boccelli and Sarah Brightman at Number 2 with “Time To Say Goodbye!

And still clinging on to that Number One spot is The Chairman Of The Board himself, Francis Albert Sinatra with “My Way”.

One song I definitely wouldn’t want played at my funeral is “You Raise Me Up” as it infers I might need to be exhumed at some point.

The truth is, it doesn’t matter what song(s) I select – because I won’t be able to hear them.  If I can, someone’s made a terrible mistake!