At least once, we’ll likely attend a farewell ceremony, tangihanga, celebration of life, or funeral for someone we care about. These gatherings help us share stories, support each other, and honour a life well-lived, grounding us as we move through grief. In many cultures, music plays a central role. You may have even thought, “I want this song at my funeral,” which sparked our interest in exploring the origins of music in these ceremonies and we found some information that could help you.