The Songs We Sing at Funerals

by John David Brown

How honest are we allowed to be after someone has died—honest about the deceased, and honest about ourselves? This is the question a variety of characters grapple with while attending six funeral services in The Songs We Sing at Funerals, a dark comedy with a big heart.

How honest are we allowed to be after someone has died—honest about the deceased, and honest about ourselves? This is the question a variety of characters grapple with while attending six funeral services in The Songs We Sing at Funerals, a dark comedy with a big heart.

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The Songs We Sing at Funerals

Recommended by

  • Rachel Feeny-Williams: The Songs We Sing at Funerals by John David Brown
    “

    I've produced multiple segments of this piece as part of Theatrical Shenanigans and they all share wonderfully real characters having to deal with the complexity that is loss in different ways. In each case though the conversations make you smile, feel emotional and make you think about loss in equal measure. The collection as a whole has taken an interesting new approach to death and literally proves everyone deals with it different ways but here, each way is portrayed brilliantly!

    I've produced multiple segments of this piece as part of Theatrical Shenanigans and they all share wonderfully real characters having to deal with the complexity that is loss in different ways. In each case though the conversations make you smile, feel emotional and make you think about loss in equal measure. The collection as a whole has taken an interesting new approach to death and literally proves everyone deals with it different ways but here, each way is portrayed brilliantly!

    ”

Character Information

The play can easily be performed by six actors, with each actor taking on multiple roles. Here is the recommendation for casting: Jamie/Aiden, Cate/Jeannie/Denise, Ned/Sammy, Jennifer/Ingrid, Russ/Brett, and Tanya/Pauline.

The cast also serves as a funeral choir, singing traditional hymns between scenes. However, this element is optional and may be reconceived or removed according to the needs of your production.
  • Jamie
    Cate's brother. Black sheep of the family.
    20-40
    Male
  • Cate
    Jamie's sister. Once the family favorite, now another black sheep.
    20-40
    Female
  • Jennifer
    Director of Justin's funeral. A little daffy.
    30-60
    Female
  • Ned
    Brother to Justin, the deceased. Straightlaced in a family of free spirits.
    30-50
    Male
  • Tanya
    Russ's mother-in-law. Reserved and stoic.
    40-70
    Female
  • Russ
    Tanya's son-in-law. In the middle of a breakdown.
    20-30
    Male
  • Jeannie
    Sammy's daughter. A good girl, whatever that means.
    20-30
    Female
  • Sammy
    Jeannie's father. A con artist.
    40-60
    Male
  • Ingrid
    Best friend of Denise, the deceased. Fiercely loyal.
    20-50
    Female
  • Brett
    Ex-boyfriend of Denise, the deceased. A scumbag.
    20-50
    Male
  • Aiden
    Pauline's grandson. Compassionate, a good listener.
    20-30
    Male
  • Pauline
    Aiden's grandmother. Emotionally repressed, but the bitterness is coming out.
    60-80
    Female

Development History

  • Reading, Barr Hill Players, 2025
  • Workshop, Greenlight Acting Studios, 2023

Production History

  • Professional, Greenlight Acting Studios, 2025
  • Community Theater, Pepper Town Players, 2024

Awards

  • Barr Hill Players Summer Fellowship
    Barr Hill Players
    Winner
    2025
  • Nectar New Works Competition
    Calliope Stage
    Finalist
    2024