Exploring Song Categories Hymn/Traditional Top 10: Hymns hold a special place in funeral ceremonies, with traditional choices like “Abide With Me” and “Amazing Grace” providing a sense of familiarity, spirituality, and solace. These songs offer comfort and a connection to shared traditions and beliefs, enveloping mourners in a collective expression of grief and hope. Rock Top 10: In the rock genre, “Bat Out Of Hell” by Meatloaf claims the top spot, embodying a sense of defiance and the desire to live life to the fullest. The enduring appeal of songs like “Stairway To Heaven” by Led Zeppelin and “We Will Rock You” by Queen lies in their iconic status and ability to evoke a range of emotions, from introspection to empowerment. Indie/Band Top 10: In the indie/band category, “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol takes the lead, resonating with mourners through its heartfelt lyrics and melodic simplicity. The inclusion of Ed Sheeran’s “Supermarket Flowers” showcases the power of personal storytelling and the ability to capture raw emotions within a song. Pop Top 10: Among popular pop choices, Ed Sheeran’s “Supermarket Flowers” strikes a chord with its poignant lyrics and introspective tone. Robbie Williams’ “Angels” touches hearts with its uplifting message of love and support, while Bette Midler’s rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings” embodies gratitude and appreciation for cherished relationships. Classical Top 10: In the classical realm, “Time to Say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman tops the chart, offering a powerful and emotive performance that captures the essence of bidding farewell. Pieces like “Nimrod” by Edward Elgar and “Clair de Lune” by Debussy create an atmosphere of contemplation and beauty, allowing mourners to find solace in the timeless compositions. R&B Top 10: R&B songs like “I’ll Be Missing You” by P.Diddy and “Dance with My Father” by Luther Vandross strike deep emotional chords, expressing feelings of loss, longing, and the enduring nature of love. These soulful melodies provide a platform for mourners to reflect on cherished memories and find solace in shared experiences. Country Top 10: Country music touches on themes of nostalgia, love, and the profound connections between individuals. John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” resonates with its evocative lyrics and heartfelt melodies, while Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” captures the bittersweet essence of farewell and the enduring power of love. TV/Soap Top 10: Themes from popular TV shows and soaps have become embedded in the fabric of society, with tunes like “Only Fools and Horses” and the “Match of the Day” theme song evoking feelings of nostalgia, fondness, and shared experiences. These familiar melodies bring a sense of comfort and familiarity during moments of remembrance. Movie Songs Top 10: Movie songs have a unique ability to transport listeners to the world of cinema and evoke a range of emotions. “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic symbolizes enduring love and loss, while “Wind Beneath My Wings” from Beaches celebrates the profound impact of cherished relationships. These songs offer a powerful soundtrack to honor and remember loved ones. The analysis of funeral music preferences provides insights into the diverse ways individuals choose to commemorate and pay tribute to their departed loved ones. From classical masterpieces to contemporary hits, the songs selected for funerals offer a glimpse into the deep emotions, personal connections, and shared experiences that define our lives. Whether through somber melodies or uplifting anthems, music has the power to unite, console, and celebrate the human spirit, even in times of sorrow.
Three in five employees have stated that their mental health has declined this year as a result of workplace stress.
Despite UK employers spending millions on wellness initiatives every year – increasing their spend by 20% since the pandemic – 55% of professionals still think that their employer is not doing enough to combat stress in the workplace.
Professionals at risk
According to a poll of 2,000 by recruitment firm Robert Walters, 60% of professionals stated they have suffered from some form of workplace-related stress, which has been onset in 2023.
When asked how often they feel this way, a third stated ‘very often’ (33%), with a further 27% stating ‘somewhat often’, and 31% identified it as happening ‘sometimes.’ – Just 9% stated that they had not experienced any form of ‘reoccurring stress*’ at work this year. *stress-symptoms experienced more than 3 times for 7+ days at a time.
The causes
When asked about what causes workplace stress, concerns over job stability were the most common trigger (45%). Followed by more pressure from management (23%), lack of a pay rise (19%) and taking on a heftier workload this year (13%).
Whose responsibility, is it?
When asked whose responsibility it was to manage workplace stress – 45% of professionals said it was down to HR and senior leaders, followed by line managers (34%) – with only a fraction (18%) thinking it was down to the individual.
However, less than 20% of professionals feel employers are doing enough, a further 27% feel some efforts have been made, but they are lacking – whilst the majority (55%) state that employers simply aren’t doing enough.
Chris Poole, Managing Director of Robert Walters: “UK Employers spend an estimated £100-200 per employee on wellness initiatives & benefits every year – but our survey indicates they may only be applying a band-aid.
“Employers must strike the balance between not breaking the banks or piling pressure onto managers to solve workplace stress but still being proactive and listening to the needs of their employees.”
Causes and effects
Long work hours, heavy workloads, tight deadlines, unclear job expectations, job insecurity, and conflicts with colleagues or supervisors are all factors which contribute towards workplace stress.
If not addressed, workplace stress can snowball into higher turnover rates, levels of employee burnout, absenteeism and lower levels of productivity.
Indeed, 51% of professionals identified their company’s output as high – with almost a quarter noting it was of a low quality.
Chris comments: “Workplace stress is something everyone in a business has a hand in creating – however it is down to senior leaders & HR to set the tone for how it is handled.
“Simple interventions such as making sure workloads are manageable, setting realistic deadlines and making sure employees have access to support, safe spaces and relevant resources – can all help to alleviate pressure in the workplace as well as professionals’ day-to-day work life.”
