Music at Funerals and Memorials: Do You Need a Licence?‍ ‍

Music at funerals and memorials

Music is often the most moving part of a funeral: a favourite song as the coffin arrives, a hymn everyone sings, or a piece that means something to the family. Many families ask me whether they need a licence to play music, or to include it in a live stream. Here's the simple answer.

Do we need a music licence for a funeral live stream?

No. I've checked directly with PRS for Music, and they've confirmed in writing that music played at a family funeral or memorial counts as a domestic event, and that this also covers streaming it to family and friends. So no PRS licence is needed, and there's nothing for you or the church to arrange.

What about music at the church or venue?

Most churches, chapels, crematoria and venues already hold the licences they need to play music, so you can usually choose whatever songs you'd like. Some churches prefer hymns or sacred music during the service itself, so it's always worth checking with the minister.

Will our music be muted on the stream?

Not on our streams. Public sites like YouTube and Facebook can automatically mute or block popular songs, but our streams use private viewing pages, so your music plays just as it does in the room.

Can you play our music on the day?

Yes. Send me your chosen songs before the day, and I'll play them at exactly the right moments through proper speakers, as people arrive, during the service and as everyone leaves. Find out more about sound for funerals.

If you have any questions about music, just send me a text.