Using Acoustic Music in a Memorial Service is Good for Your Health

Live acoustic music is soothing to the soul and a wonderful addition to any memorial service, funeral or celebration of life. Below are some of the reasons you may want to strongly consider using acoustic music, especially harp. Because of the wide pitch range of the harp, several good things happen physically, mentally and emotionally, when the harp is played.

1. The vibrations from acoustic instruments regulate body rhythms, making people attending the service feel better. Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, electrical impulses in the body and even brain waves
are regulated with appropriate harp music. These vibrations also increase oxygen in the blood so people feel physically better, because lack of oxygen causes degeneration.

2. Musical vibrations relax the family and friends of the deceased. Harp vibrations move the brain from a stressful beta state to a relaxed alpha state and even, sometimes, a deep, meditative state.

3. The musical vibrations facilitate emotional release. Deep emotions need to be released so they do not remain in storage as negative energy in the body contributing to other health issues at later dates.

The memorial service is a perfect place to release emotions; it is expected and accepted. Since our emotions are stored at the level of the alpha or theta state, when music brings us to this state, our mind does not make value judgments about whether it appropriate or not to cry, so we are more likely to let the tears flow. As much as we feel we don't want to cry, it's an important of healing. We often feel uncomfortable crying in the presence of others, but music allows our tears to flow on a wave of sound that makes it less obvious.

4. Acoustic music can help us access memories which are stored deeper in the brain, than those we remember in our regular state of brain wave activity. In the alpha state those in attendance are more likely to be willing to share memories. This can be a true gift to the family members.

5. Live music conveys that the departed, is so loved; you deserve the very best."

6. Live acoustic music is just that: alive! The service becomes a true celebration of life.

7. Music ministers to people. Ministry involves love and compassion and can only come from a live person.

So, in plannning a memorial service, celebration of life, or funeral, strongly consider the addition of live acoustic music, or a harp CD or DVD with with beautiful nature scenes that will calm the audience.


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Karin Gunderson has been a harpist and music minister with hospice in Phoenix, AZ for over seven years.
She has forums and helpful resources for those who fear death:
https://overcomefearofdeath.com
or are grieving:
https://healyourgriefsite.com