We lost my beloved grandmother Bernice (also known rather cutely as "Bunny") many years ago. She died very quickly after being hospitalized for an illness, which led to rapid multiple organ failure. My father and his siblings, thankfully, were able to travel to Florida, where she lived, in time to see her and say goodbye.
My father is a singer who loves traditional and modern Jewish music. As he sat at my grandmother's bedside with her in her final hours, he both provided and received comfort through singing her all of the songs he could think of that included the Hebrew word "Shalom," which means, fittingly, hello, goodbye and peace.
As we know, music has a profound and powerful effect on every level of our body; physical, emotional, spiritual.
How do you engage with music? What kind of music do you turn to when you seek comfort?
My father sent me this link to the following article with a message saying "See! I'm not the only kook with a playlist for my last moments and memorial service." I responded, saying it's not only not kooky to create a playlist, it's healing, soothing, and transcendent.
What songs are on your final moments playlist? Do you have one? If not, what would you like to listen to? My list includes the nearly, dearly departed Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" (Jeff Buckley's version), "Do You Realize !!?!" by the Flaming Lips, and "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan, among other tunes. I'd love to hear from you.