Serving Iowa in times Celebration and sorrow

* Please have your funeral director contact me to make the arrangements.

As a convenience most funeral homes are happy to take care of my fee, then will add it to the cost of the funeral, if you ask them.

During late fall through early spring when air temperatures are cold, (approximately in the mid 40 degrees down to freezing) I recommend using the piper to lead the casket or urn to the coach from the sanctuary at the conclusion of the service, and not at the cemetery. Cold temperatures are detrimental to a set of bagpipes which can result in the wood cracking, at the very least they will quickly go out of tune, sounding horrible. Even bagpipes made of musical grade poly (plastic), though they won't crack in the cold will rapidly go out of tune, sounding really bad.

Memorial Services across the nation pay tribute to our country's veterans, firefighters, peace officers, and our civilian loved ones in a way like no other when the distant sounds of Amazing Grace are heard.

There can be no more dramatic or effective way to conclude the service of a loved one. Bagpipes at funerals touch the deepest emotions. For centuries pipers have played to commemorate the loss of a loved one. The soulful and haunting sounds of the ancient scale express convictions and feelings that words alone fail to convey.

The pipes can be utilized at any point during the funeral service, it's purely a personal choice, but here are a few suggestions of when to involve the piper.

1. Leading the casket or urn, from the sanctuary to the coach at the conclusion of the service.

2. At the cemetery, while the casket or Urn is being carried by the pallbearers from the coach and placed on the vault.

3.  At the cemetery Immediately following the committal prayer, with the piper walking away while playing the last part of "Amazing Grace"

* At the conclusion of military honors, after Taps.