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A jazz funeral is a unique New Orleans tradition that combines African, French, and American funeral ceremonies with a brass band, mourners, and a mix of solemn hymns and upbeat jazz music. The tradition originated with African American residents in the early 20th century and is still held for prominent locals or members of social organizations. The casket is often displayed for several days before the procession, which includes solemn hymns and dirges, followed by a second line of celebrants dancing to jazz standards. Traditional jazz funerals fell out of favor in the 1970s but have seen a resurgence of interest after Hurricane Katrina. An authentic jazz funeral requires a sponsoring organization, the City of New Orleans, and a commissioned brass band.
While funerals with music have been performed for centuries, there is a tradition unique to New Orleans, Louisiana known as a jazz funeral. A jazz funeral combines elements of African, French, and American funeral ceremonies in a procession that features a brass band, two lines of mourners, and a blend of solemn hymns, dirges, and upbeat jazz or Dixieland music. Jazz funerals aren’t as common as they once were, but they can be held for prominent local musicians or members of social organizations known as crewes.
The traditional jazz funeral is believed to have originated with the African American population of New Orleans around the turn of the 20th century. African funeral ceremonies often featured musicians honoring the deceased through their craft. These traditions inspired the African-American residents of New Orleans to create a funeral ceremony that captured both the sadness and the joys of the deceased’s life, thus releasing their soul to the angels.
During a traditional jazz funeral, the casket may be seen in a private home or funeral home for several days. On the day of the burial, a local brass band is charged with leading the procession to the cemetery. Family members and close friends follow the band as they sing solemn hymns and dirges at a slow, deliberate pace. A common hymn performed during this stage of a jazz funeral is “Just A Closer Walk With Thee.” The coffin follows behind the first line of mourners, allowing bystanders along the way to bid their last respects.
After a religious service at the grave, the brass band reverently leaves the site and, once out of earshot, leads what is known as the ‘second line’. This second line often consists of colorfully dressed celebrants who strut and dance as the brass band performs raucous versions of New Orleans jazz standards like “When The Saints Go Marching In” or “Hold That Tiger.”
Traditional jazz funerals largely fell out of favor during the 1970s as old brass bands disbanded and new bands embraced a more modern repertoire. After the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005, however, interest in jazz funerals and other New Orleans traditions increased significantly. While the basic elements of the ceremony may be duplicated elsewhere, an authentic New Orleans jazz funeral should be an arrangement between a sponsoring crew or other organization, the City of New Orleans, and a commissioned brass band.
Many traditional jazz funerals have been held for deceased New Orleans musicians and beloved members of Mardi Gras crews. The musical nature of the procession is said to be a fitting way to send a musician’s soul up to heaven, and it is not uncommon to find other musicians joining the band during second-line celebrations.
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