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“I play the organ at people’s funerals, but it started with Dad’s funeral.”

“I play the organ at people’s funerals, but it started with Dad’s funeral.”

Jobe Sullivan A man with reddish-brown hair and black glasses smiles into the camera. He is wearing a black suit and tie and a white shirt. In the picture, the top of an organ can be seen and the background of the picture, which has been blurred to focus on the man, is that of a large white church with brown palaces.Jobe Sullivan

Jobe Sullivan first played the organ at his father’s funeral at the age of 16

A man who plays the organ at funerals considers it “a great privilege to play for someone moving on to the next life” – but until he performed in his father’s service, he didn’t even know his way around the instrument.

When he lost his father at the age of 16, Jobe Sullivan was a musician and composer and had some piano experience. At the funeral he had planned to perform a piece he had written as a farewell, but since there was no piano, he knew he would have to master the church organ in order to share his music with others.

Now, 14 years later, after teaching himself, the Birmingham resident says he plays at about one funeral a week and describes himself as an “organ convert.”

And all because “I wanted to make Dad proud.”

Mr Sullivan, who studied music at Birmingham University, said of attending the services: “At first it was very strange and very emotional, but I felt like it was like a calling to support people in this time of need .”

“It is difficult to organize a funeral. The only thing I can do is make sure the music is good, appropriate and meets the wishes of everyone responsible.”

“I thank God for this service that I can give back to the world.”

Jobe Sullivan A side view of a red-haired man in a black suit playing the organJobe Sullivan

The most requested hymns are “Amazing Grace,” “Abide With Me,” and “All Things Bright and Beautiful.”

Mr. Sullivan has played at his uncle’s funeral as well as at church services for his principal and the family members of his friends.

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

“But I also played with my Irish band at wakes, at the graveside, at the ‘reception ceremony’.

“I’ve also been to outdoor secular graveyards and fondly remember having to learn Joni Mitchell and Fleetwood Mac songs to play this year.”

Jobe Sullivan A man with auburn hair and black glasses smiles at the camera while sitting at an organ. He is wearing a black suit and tie and a white shirt. The background of the image, which has been blurred to focus on the man, is that of a large white church with brown palaces.Jobe Sullivan

Mr. Sullivan considers it a privilege to perform at a person’s funeral and make it special for families

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

“I do a job, a service, and the community has trusted me to do something worthwhile,” he explained.

“When it’s a young person’s funeral, sometimes it gets very emotional for me.”

He said his most unusual experience was at a funeral for a friend in Mons, Belgium.

“I don’t know Flemish, but the priest gave me some sheet music for the hymns and we gave the family an experience.

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

“Experiences like this, warts and all, are ones I will keep until my grave.”

Jobe Sullivan A group of people in black suits and dresses stand in front of the stained glass window of a churchJobe Sullivan

Mr. Sullivan also founded a choir to sing at funerals because “people don’t sing at funerals anymore.”

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

He also started a choir with his wife called the Singers of Solace because, he said, he noticed there was no singing at funerals anymore.

“We are here to support [the congregation]” he said. “It is also for those who die and don’t have many people at the funeral.”

“I remember a funeral in Handsworth where the choir outnumbered the mourners and the vicar and mourners were so glad we were there.

“We are there to lead the singing, not to show off. The core is to lead and be part of the community.”