The Scottish bagpipes can add a special touch to any funeral with their unique and individual sound.

Church / Chapel Service

I am often required to greet the hearse at the church gates and lead the coffin into the church and down the aisle or I can simply just perform at the side of the church doors while the coffin and mourners enter the church. Sometimes I am asked to perform a piece of music during the church service. At the end of the service I am generally required to lead the coffin out of the church (or perform at the church doors as it is carried out) and play while it is placed back into the hearse

If the deceased is being buried close to the church I will generally pipe in front of the hearse and lead it into the cemetery.

Burial

I am generally required to play while the coffin is being taken from the hearse to the graveside and while it is being lowered into the grave and afterwards as loved ones gather and disperse. Sometimes the pipes can be more effective being played quite a distance away from the graveside. On occasion I have walked away while playing so that mourners can hear them fading in the distance.

Cremation

I will generally play as the coffin is taken from the hearse and into the crematorium. I will either stand at the doors or lead it into the chapel and keep playing until all mourners are seated. I am often asked to play during the service while the wreath is laid, or while the curtain is drawn. I will then play at the end of the service as mourners leave the crematorium.

Testimonials

'I would like to thank you for playing at my fathers funeral on Friday,you made a very sad occasion a very memorable one that we as a family and those three hundred plus that attended will never forget.the site of you playing in the distance at the cemetery  would of broken even the hardest of hearts.thankyou once again and if an occasion should arise again i would not hesitate to get intouch and recommend you to others.'

- Lee Kelly (Birmingham)

'Thank you so much for attending me sister's funeral. It was so moving, the image of you playing beside the willow tree will stay with me forever. I'm sorry I didn't get to thank you personally on the day. Your professionalism and sensitivity can not be praised enough.'

-Janine Branch (Barnsley)

'I wanted to send you a short email thanking you for your pipe playing at my father’s funeral last week. It was, as you can imagine a very moving time especially with his favourite pipe music being played during the whole service. '

-Glenn Hezlett (Worksop)

'Ed's tribute to my father in law was something that I and my family will remember for the rest our lives. His playing touched the souls of those who knew my 'dad' so well and it will be something his daughter will remember always.

He is also very professional, receptive and sensitive to the needs of those who hire him and I would gladly call upon him again for any occasion.'

-Tam Weir (Worcester)

'I wanted to thank you for piping at our fathers funeral yesterday (Nov 16 2009). Your music choices made a wonderful atmosphere for the occasion and it made a memorable difference that we will remember when thinking of dad.'

- Andrew Spark (Halifax)

'We just had Ed perform at my Fathers funeral.
 His communication was excellent.
He was on time and very aware of the feelings of the family.
His bagpipes moved everyone to tears.
I would recommend Ed to everyone funerals and weddings.
Keep up the tradition Ed.'

- Denise Hamilton Westerveld (Hull)

'Just a note to say thankyou so much for yesterday, I am sorry I was unable to thankyou in person but unfortunately it was very emotional. So many people commented on how great you were, and it made a very unhappy day very special and something to remember in a good way. I will be keeping your number and will defiantly recommend you, however hopefully for a more merry occasion.'

-Georgina Fairbairn (and all the Fairbairn family) (Oulton, Leeds)

'Just wanted to say thank you for helping make Robert's Tree Planting Dedication so perfect. It was everything I wanted it to be.'

-Angie Clayton (Skipton)

'Hi i would like to say a big thankyou to Ed Arnold who played the bagpipes at my mothers funeral on 11/04/2007 he did a fantastic job in finding the music to The Fields of Athenry and learning it at such short notice so again a big thankyou'

-Mrs S Vassallo (Preston)