Unusual selection for funeral music: Theme from 'Jaws' in this year's notable funeral soundtrack.
The Co-op Funeralcare annual report, released on 20 August 2025, has drawn attention for its unique findings. The report highlights some unconventional funeral songs that continue to resonate across the nation. Among these, the 'Shark Theme' from Jaws, composed by John Williams, is an unexpected choice for a funeral song in the UK.
The report does not mention any specific reactions or responses from funeral attendees to the use of the 'Shark Theme' as a funeral song. It also does not provide any information on the demographic or geographic distribution of these unconventional songs, including the 'Shark Theme' from Jaws.
The 'Shark Theme' is associated with fear and suspense, making it an unusual choice for a funeral song. However, Gill Stewart, managing director at Co-op Funeralcare, believes that music can bring back memories, reflect personalities, and connect people to loved ones. She states that choosing a meaningful song can be an important part of saying goodbye, whether it's a traditional hymn or something light-hearted and quirky.
The report also lists 'We Like to Party', 'Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead' from The Wizard of Oz, and 'Dance Monkey' as other unconventional songs. Traditional funeral songs such as those by Andrea Bocelli, Frank Sinatra, and Eva Cassidy are also included in the report.
Interestingly, the origins of the idea to use the 'Shark Theme' from the film Jaws as a funeral mourning theme are not publicly documented. It is known that John Williams played the theme to Steven Spielberg, to which Spielberg reportedly responded, "You can't be serious!"
The Co-op Funeralcare annual music chart aims to celebrate tracks that resonate with people in unique ways, even in the context of funerals. The chart underscores the personal and emotional significance that music can hold for individuals, making it a fitting choice for a funeral service. The report serves as a reminder that funerals can be a reflection of the life lived, and the music chosen can be a testament to the individual's personality and memories.
