Why are bagpipes used at funerals?

Answer 1

The association of police, fireman, and Bagpipes dates back to the late 1800's when the firefighters and police in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore were predominantly staffed by Irish immigrants - who played the bagpipes. The tradition continues to this day.

Answer 2

The tradition of bagpipes played at fire department and police department funerals in the United States goes back over one hundred fifty years. When the Irish and Scottish immigrated to this country, they brought many of their traditions with them. One of these was the bagpipe, often played at Celtic weddings, funerals and ceilis (dances).

It wasn't until the great potato famine and massive Irish Immigration to the East Coast of the United States that the tradition of the bagpipes really took hold in the fire department. In the 1800's, Irish immigrants faced massive discrimination. Factories and shops had signs reading "NINA" - No Irish Need Apply. The only jobs they could get were the ones no one else wanted - jobs that were dirty, dangerous, or both - firefighters and police officers. It was not an uncommon event to have several firefighters killed at a working fire. The Irish firefighters' funerals were typical of all Irish funerals - the pipes were played. It was somehow okay for a hardened firefighter to cry at the sound of bagpipes when his dignity would not let him weep for a fallen comrade.

Those who have attended a funeral where bagpipes were played know how haunting and mournful the sound of the pipes can be. The most famous song played at fire and police funerals is Amazing Grace. It wasn't too long before families and friends of non-Irish firefighters began asking for the bagpipes to be played for fallen heroes. The bagpipes add a special air and dignity to this solemn occasion.

Bagpipe bands represent both fire and police often have more than 60 uniformed playing members. They are also traditionally known as Emerald Societies after Ireland - the Emerald Isle. Many bands wear traditional Scottish dress while others wear the simpler Irish uniform. All members wear the kilt and tunic, whether it is a Scottish clan tartan or Irish single color kilt.

Today, the tradition is universal and not just for the Irish or Scottish. The bagpipes have become a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero's funeral.

Answer 3

Bagpipes were developed to make it possible to make music without stopping to take a breath using a reed instrument.

Reed instruments were known in ancient times. While it is possible that people were using circular breathing to play them, we do not know this was done, and it would have been difficult to learn and to do.

An intermediate step in the development of the bagpipe may have been the bladderpipe, in which wind pressure fills a bag of air, but it is only pressurized by breath. Bags for bladderpipes tend to be small,.

The bagpipe uses a large bag, powered by external pressure, such as by the arm.

We do not know when or where any of this was done. There is some pretty good evidence dating from ancient times, but it is open to question. The earliest irrefutable evidence for bladder pipes and bagpipes dates from the period of about 1000 to 1300 AD.

Answer 4

The person had either Scottish or Irish heritage. There has long been an association between the bagpipes and units of the military and police, so they are often found in services related to service members.