Bagpipes

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To promote the brotherhood, recuit new bagpipe players and share information for bagpipe bands.
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Funerals

by Bill States

May 26, 2012

Hi All,

 

So I piped at my first funeral for a retired volunteer firefighter for one of our mutual aid depts. I never realized how hard it would be to hold it together while playing, while the family and friends break down crying while I'm playing. I guess that is something I'll get used to. But what do most of you say when the family comes up after the ceremony and says thank you? I had no clue what to say. I can't say "my pleasure" and I don't want to just say "your welcome" because that sounds a little cold and unsimpathetic. Any ideas?

 

Bill

 

 

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  • up

    Jeff Manning

    It is difficult to keep emotions in check - I try to never look directly at the family, or I do get caught up in the emotion. Just like the job, it's best if you keep your emotions under control until after. As to your answer, my usual response is "I'm honored that I was asked to play."

    May 26, 2012

  • up

    Jerry Morton

    Bill, I have played at or been part of an honor guard for both brother firefighters and military funerals. What I do is tell the family when they come up and say "Thank you.", I just say "It has been my honor."  It alway is.

    May 27, 2012

  • up

    SMOKEnPipesJim

    Bill   I began  piping at age  30 at  the begining of  my Career, and 15 years  After getting involved  the vollies,  I was influential In  getting the first  "service pipe band" In the state and  also have  as much involvement  In Other groups  getting going as one might  without actually  being involved.  My  Career Boss busted  my balls  about  being  Italian  and  doing this, he was also italian ... ultimately  he told me he wrote in his will  I was  Hired  to play his funeral, I also had a string  of  Old  school  (WW2 era)  mentors  in the Fire  service, I got  Calls  on  all of  them and I also attended   LODD  services  as band member for 5 or 6  guys in my state, events  such as   The  Memorial  Dedication To the  Boston  Firefighters who died  in the Hotel Vendome  Collapse  back in 1972 (The  memorial was  1997),  St Patricks  Day 1999,  a chance  to enjoy marching in NYC, turned out to be a bust, when  I  Lost  a good freind  who  offered  to work so I could play,  we  were  on our way  home when we learned  "someone  On My job  had  heart attack  at an incident ,  Ultimately I was  Wally...

      an  we also had the Honor of  playing  the memorial service for  the Worcester  Mass   6  in  1999 as well as 4  of 6  of the family services..  It  might  seem  corny,  but  make  an impression,  Greet the family,  just  like a funeral director   would,  I'm sorry  for  your loss,  there  is nothing   one  can say  that will make this  easier, If there is anything  I can  do,  please   ask,  I'll do my  utmost  to fullfill  your  wishes ...

    More  often then Not (well, down here  things  are faster paced)  you  might not  even  be  able to approach  the Family in some  venues  until  after the fact,  again  its  just being respectful..  think  of  if the show  was on  the other foot...

     

    below a picture  of a  CNN screen shot of  us  playing  the Worcester 6 Procession  12/99

    I'm  2nd  from the left front

    Jun 15, 2012