Which songs will be on your end-of-life playlist?

What songs would you like to listen to as you depart this world. Marie Curie conducted research on this intriguing topic and compiled a list of the most popular songs for those at the end of life, The Guardian reported. Familiar favorites like Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and “Hey Jude” by the Beatles made the top 10 list, as did a couple of perhaps more surprising selections: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper and “The Best” by Tina Turner. Check out the complete top 10 list and learn more about the study on Marie Curie’s website and listen to the playlist on Spotify.

Music therapy can have a profound and positive impact at the end of life, as well as for those with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. The Marie Curie study found that playing music had a calming effect for the vast majority of those in end of life care.

Music is a personal passion for many people, whether they play instruments or are devoted fans to particular artists and bands. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to selecting favorite songs for an end of life playlist. Some may choose soothing music, others may want to rock out to their favorite songs that remind them of happy times in their life. I remember having a brief hospice consultation when my father was in the hospital at the end of his life. Sadly there was no room in the inpatient hospice unit for him, but I remember the counselor asking about Dad’s favorite music. That was easy to answer. Dad’s playlist would have included Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and at least one rendition of “Danny Boy.”

When my mother was dying at home, I played her favorite music. Mom had fairly eclectic tastes, but she was most fond of classic country such as Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, and Glen Campbell. But when my mother took her last breath, she departed on an upbeat tune by Trini Lopez, which matched Mom’s personality quite well.

I also have eclectic tastes in music so my playlist would include selections from Eva Cassidy, the McGarrigle Sisters, Gillian Welch, a mix of classic country and 1980s-1990s alternative rock, along with bluegrass and Celtic instrumentals.

What music would you include in your end of life playlist?

Image by Microsoft Copilot.