Hiring a Piper for a Funeral

Generally, funerals are played outdoors by a solo Piper, most often at graveside. It is vitally important that the Piper be given as much notice as possible prior to the date and time of the service. If you are pre-planning a funeral or memorial service, either for yourself or a beloved family member and are seeking a Piper, please consider the following:

1. Inform your family, leaving no doubt of your desire, supplying two or three family members with the information on where to contact a Piper.  Of these members, encourage one to be the person responsible to make initial contact with the Piper so that the Piper will not be fielding multiple calls for the same service.  It is also advisable to inform the Funeral Home of your request.  In fact, you may wish to consider asking the Funeral Home Director to make the initial Piper contact for you.  Others who need to be informed of your request would include the officiating clergy, such as your Pastor, Rabbi, or Priest.

2.  An advantage to pre-planning and allowing the Funeral Director to obtain the Piper on your behalf is that he/she can include this in your service package. Once the Director is notified of your passing, he/she will review your request and make the contact.  Allowing the Funeral Home Director to take charge of hiring the Piper will relieve the family from this obligation.  Using this route, the only things that you would need to do is to inform the Funeral Director of your request and provide for the Piper's compensation, which can be given directly to the Director, friend or family member to give to the Piper on the day of the service.

3.  In the event a Piper cannot be secured at the time of the service, there are other ways that your memory, or the memory of a loved one can be honored. It is standard practice in many churches to place flowers in memory of deceased family and friends.  Consider hiring a Piper to play a special tribute tune, such as “Amazing Grace”, during a worship service.  Most churches welcome the opportunity, and if an announcement is made ahead of time, your tribute may be received by a host of listeners.

Funeral Protocol for Pipers

Whether at graveside or at a church service, a Piper can provide a most memorable, moving farewell to your loved one.

Most frequently, a Piper is requested for the graveside service. The Piper will normally play as family and guests arrive, and while the casket is being carried from the hearse to the grave.  The Piper will always arrive at graveside well in advance of the Funeral party in order to tune.  Unless previously discussed, last-minute cues and timing are set when the Funeral Director and clergy arrive.  If you do not know precisely how to use a Piper at a funeral, our experienced MSPIPERS will take care of coordinating his/her piping to ensure the service runs smoothly.

Less frequently, a Piper is asked to play indoors at a church service, most often during the recessional of the body.  A Piper will arrive at least 30-60 minutes before a service and must be provided with a vacant room as far away from the Sanctuary as possible for tuning and/or changing into appropriate Highland attire.  The Piper generally takes the lead position in front of the funeral party as they exit the church and continues to play until the body is secured in the hearse. Until it is the Piper's time to play, he/she will usually stay concealed. This ensures a memorable effect on part of those attending, without distracting from the service.  A Piper may be used for services at the church, graveside or both.