Funeral Packages: Starting at $250*
* Within Birmingham city limits. Additional mileage charges apply for bookings outside the city.

The presence of the bagpipes at a funeral service is a time-honored tradition dating back centuries. A piper is often employed at a funeral in accord with the final wishes of the loved one who has passed. Ryan sees it as a great honor to fulfill such a request, and he knows how deeply meaningful the pipes are to a bereaved family. He himself has performed funeral services for several family members, friends, and even his first bagpipe teacher John Richardson. To deliver a final farewell on the pipes is the most personal of expressions for Ryan, and there is nothing quite as moving as serenading a loved one to their final resting place.

The Graveside Recessional. The most requested service of a piper is the Recessional played at graveside, though the bagpipes are appropriate during the chapel service as well. The Recessional takes place at the conclusion of the service immediately following the closing prayer. Your piper will position himself a short distance from the graveside in view of the family. Once he begins he will remain stationary for one verse of his selection. Once he begins the second verse, he will slowly turn about face and recede away from the graveside, allowing the musical selection to gently fade away rather than stop abruptly. This is most commonly performed with "Amazing Grace", though any selection is appropriate.

Ryan offers six different options for funerals:

Option 1: Chapel Prelude music Playing 20 to 30 minutes outside the chapel prior to the service as attendees arrive Option 2: Chapel Processional music Leading the family into the chapel Option 3: Chapel Recessional music Leading the casket out of the chapel to the hearse Option 4: Graveside Prelude music Playing as needed at graveside prior to the service as the Procession arrives and the family and attendees gather Option 5: Graveside Processional music Leading the casket from hearse to graveside Option 6: Graveside Recessional music Playing a selection at the conclusion of the graveside service and recessing away from graveside

NOTE: For Chapel and Graveside Prelude music your piper will often play appropriate tunes from his repertoire. Feel free to make suggestions if there are any tunes in particular you wish to be included. For a list of selections that Ryan plays, please click here.

With well over a decade of experience performing at funeral services, Ryan recognizes that the requirements and tastes of each client is distinct and unique. He therefore offers six different funeral packages to meet the specific needs of each client:

Funeral Package A: $250 Includes any one (1) of the above options Funeral Package B: $275 Includes any two (2) of the above options Funeral Package C: $300 Includes any three (3) of the above options Funeral Package D: $325 Includes any four (4) of the above options Funeral Package E: $350 Includes any five (5) of the above options Funeral Package F: $375 Includes all six (6) of the above options

NOTE: Additional mileage fees may apply if the graveside service is more than 15 miles from the location of the chapel service.

Package Upgrades. Ryan also offers the following additional upgrades to the above Packages:

Chapel Postlude music: $25 Playing 15 to 20 minutes outside the chapel following the service as family and attendees depart (Only recommended if your piper is NOT performing at the graveside service) Graveside Postlude music: $25 Playing as needed at graveside following the service as family and attendees depart

Additional Services. Aside from the services listed above, Ryan strives to honor any and every special request. Each event is unique, and the Funeral Packages are highly customizable. If there is an additional service you require, please let Ryan know. As a professional musician, he is dedicated to the complete satisfaction of all of his clients.

Mileage Fees. For all bookings outside of the Birmingham city limits a mileage fee of $.55 per mile roundtrip will be added to the final quote.

Out-of-state Bookings. Ryan will travel throughout the region. For distances over 350 miles lodging and accommodations must be provided by the client.

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