They came of age in the “swinging sixties,” and now baby boomers are dying as they lived: ditching tradition and replacing it with Monty Python, pop songs and even fancy dress at their funerals.
The generation who grew up with the surreal comedians’ sketches and films is believed to be behind a surge in demand for the song Always Look On the Bright Side of Life at funerals, making it the most popular number to bow out to.
With its famously chirpy lyrics about the absurdity of life and the finality of death, the hit from the irreverent 1979 film Monty Python’s Life of Brian rose from the 13th most commonly chosen song three years ago to the top spot this year, research by The Co-operative Funeralcare revealed.
The more traditional choices of The Lord is My Shepherd and Abide with Me were pushed into second and third place respectively as the Python member behind the song, Eric Idle, proved that comedy conquers all.
Hits by Queen also proved popular choices of funeral music, with nine songs by the band - including Who Wants to Live Forever and Don’t Stop Me Now - among the most commonly chosen.
Notoriously sung from a position of crucifixion at the end of The Life of Brian, it’s become a plucky English anthem, even performed at the 2012 Olympics, and a twinkly stiff-upper-lip send-off. In November 2014, a study by a chain of funeral directors found the 1979 Life of Brian song had overtaken Frank Sinatra's My Way as the preferred choice of music.
Elvis Presley was the most requested solo singer.
Baby boomers jazz up their funerals with Monty Python and fancy dress
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