Piroso depois de morto

A história abaixo é arrepiante porque nos lembra da possibilidade de termos um enterro piroso, sem podermos fazer nada contra isso. Lembra-me um membro da minha família, que pouco antes de morrer me pediu para que o anúncio no jornal não incluísse a palavra "faleceu", por a considerar "posidónia" (sic). Tragicamente, a funerária não gostou da simplicidade do texto que eu escolhi e por sua iniciativa incluíu mesmo essa palavra. Estive quase para processar a empresa e temi (ainda temo)pela ira do meu familiar que morreu, se por acaso a sua alma pudesse ler o jornal.
Para que conste, gosto do "Neroli" do Brian Eno. Se os meus amigos quiserem expressar aqui alguma preferência, correm menos riscos de passar pela mesma infelicidade.


Pop hits putting the 'fun' into British funerals

LONDON, Nov 17 (AFP) - Contemporary music from pop songs to film and show tunes are now almost as likely to be chosen for a funeral in Britain as traditional religious pieces, according to a study released Thursday.
One of the country's largest funeral providers found more than 40 percent of ceremonies involved modern music, reflecting the changing -- and increasingly secular -- tone of British society.
Topping the list of modern songs was crooner Frank Sinatra's signature tune "My Way", followed by Bette Midler's rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings" and Robbie Williams' "Angels".
Next on the list were Celine Dion's weepie "My Heart Will Go On" and the rousing "Simply the Best" by Tina Turner.
The top three hymns remained unchanged with "The Lord is My Shepherd" at number one, followed by "Abide With Me" and "All Things Bright and Beautiful".
Classical tunes meanwhile accounted for less than five percent of funeral music: "Nimrod" from Edward Elgar's "Enigma Variations" was the firm favourite, followed by Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria" and "Largo" from George Handel's opera "Xerxes".
"Funeral music provides us with an invaluable insight into the influences at work in (British) society," said Ian Mackie, of Co-operative Funeralcare, who reviewed music at 80,000 funerals handled by its 600 branches in the year to July.
"Tradition is still very much evident in favourite hymns while we have a growing number of people who feel that modern themes are entirely appropriate.
"Many now mix the two in funeral ceremonies and it's clear that they are being influenced by the television programmes or films they watch."
Sometimes, however, the music is unusual: last year, requests were received for several television soaps, Buster Poindexter's "Hot, Hot, Hot", plus novelty tunes such as "The Birdy Song" and "The Laughing Policeman".
One person even requested the sound of trains shunting in sidings.