Python tune top 'alternative' funeral song

LONDON, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- A British survey has named the Monty Python tune "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" as the country's top "alternative" funeral song.

The survey of 764 people, commissioned by the Children's Society, found the song from Monty Python's "Life of Brian" was the top choice among respondents, with one fifth of those polled saying they would like the ditty played at their funerals, The Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday.

The No. 2 "alternative" funeral song, chosen by 16 percent of respondents, was "Cabaret" as sung by Liza Minnelli in the movie musical of the same name. Other songs making the survey's top 10 included punk rocker Sid Vicious's cover of "My Way," "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa" by Napoleon and "Enjoy Yourself, It's Later Than You Think" by the Specials.

"Funerals have changed a lot in the past few years -- more people are planning ahead to make their funerals personal and reflective of themselves," said Lorraine Groves of the Children's Society. "We know many people prefer a simple affair and would rather their mourners give donations in memory rather than lots of flowers, along with a little light hearted twist during the proceedings like an alternative song."