'I play organ at funerals - it started with Dad's'

A man who plays the organ at funerals thinks of it as "a great privilege to play for someone as they enter into the next life" - but until he performed at his dad's service, he didn't even know his way around the instrument.

When he lost his father at 16, Jobe Sullivan was a musician and composer, with some keyboard experience. At the funeral, he'd planned to perform a piece he wrote to say goodbye, but as there was no piano, he knew he would have to master the church organ to share his music.

Now, 14 years later, having taught himself, the Birmingham resident says he is playing at about one funeral a week, and considers himself an "organ convert".

And it's all because "I wanted to do Dad proud".

Mr Sullivan, who studied music at the University of Birmingham, said of playing at the services: "At first it was very strange, very emotional, but I had a feeling that it was like a calling to support people in this time of need.

"It's difficult arranging a funeral. The one thing that I can do is ensure the music is good, appropriate, to the wishes of all in charge.

"I thank God for this service I can give back to the world."

Mr Sullivan has played at his uncle's funeral, as well as services for his headteacher and family members of his friends.

"Generally I play at church services. Amazing Grace, Abide With Me, All Things Bright and Beautiful, these are the most requested," he said.

"But I've also played at wakes with my Irish band, at the graveside, at the 'receiving in' ceremony.

"I've also been to secular burial grounds, outdoors, and quite fondly remember having to learn songs by Joni Mitchell and Fleetwood Mac to play this year."

Funerals are emotional for most people involved, but Mr Sullivan says he tries to keep a clear head even when the circumstances of a bereavement are trying.

"I'm doing a job, a service, and I've been trusted by the community to do something worthy," he explained.

"Occasionally, if it's a young person's funeral, it gets very emotional for me."

His most unusual experience playing at a funeral was for a friend in Mons, Belgium, he said.

"My Flemish is non-existent, but the priest plonked some sheet music for the hymns in front of me, and we gave the family an experience.

"They were very touched. It was surreal, the guy was so young.

"I hold experiences like these, warts and all, to my own grave."

However, the organ is not Mr Sullivan's only musical contribution to funerals.

He has with his wife also founded a choir called Singers of Solace, because, he said, he noticed people were not singing at funerals anymore.

"We're there to support [the congregation]," he said. "It's also for those people who pass away and don't have many people at the funeral.

"I remember one funeral in Handsworth where the choir outnumbered the mourners, and the vicar and the mourners were so pleased we were there.

"We're there to lead the singing, not to show off. The core of it is to lead and be part of the community."

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