Music To "Remember"
Individual music to remember a loved one
"When someone passes away, silence often remains. Sometimes music can express what words fail to convey."
Martin Schlögl
Losing someone leaves a space that nothing can fill. But sometimes, music can make that space a little more bearable. I compose personal pieces of music for people who have lost someone, as a memory, as a gentle companion during a farewell, or simply as a quiet place to return to when the grief feels too big for words.
Each piece is created in close conversation with you, carefully, individually, and always guided by what matters most to you and the person you are remembering.
What I offer
There are losses that leave a silence no words can fill. And yet, sometimes it is exactly in that silence where music finds its way. A piece of music composed especially for someone who has passed away is more than a melody. It is a portrait in sound, a way of saying: this person mattered. This life was worth remembering. And this farewell deserves something as unique as the one being honored.
Whether for a funeral service, a memorial gathering, or a quiet moment at home, a personally composed piece captures what cannot be spoken. It carries the character of the person, the emotions of those left behind, and the atmosphere of a farewell that only happens once. Music can also accompany the longer journey of grief, as a place to return to whenever the loss feels close again.
Especially in moments when everything feels too heavy for words, music opens a different space. It does not try to explain or console with phrases. It simply holds the feeling, gently and without judgment. It speaks a language that reaches people even when they have nothing left to say. And it creates a memory that lasts far longer than any spoken eulogy.
What arises is not just a piece of music, but a lasting companion. Something that can be heard again and again, shared with others who loved the same person, and kept as a quiet piece of the life that was lived.
Your personal piece of music: how it comes alive
Getting to know each other
It all begins with a conversation, calm and without rush. We talk about the person who has passed, about who they were, what they loved, and what they left behind. Which memories come to mind when you think of them? What atmosphere should the music carry? From these impressions, the first musical sketch begins to emerge.
Shaping the idea
From your memories we shape the form. Together we consider: which instruments feel right? Should a text, a poem, or a personal message be woven in? Should the piece feel quiet and intimate, or warm and full? Step by step, the music finds its character.
Composition and recording
On this foundation, I begin the composition. Melodies emerge, harmonies unfold, and the music develops its own presence. Once complete, I record the piece with care and attention to every detail. You will receive your personal composition as a digital file, ready to listen to, share, and keep. On request, the piece can also be produced on CD or vinyl, a physical keepsake for those who wish to hold something in their hands.
Live music at the farewell ceremony
Sometimes music belongs not only in a recording, but in the room itself. I perform live at funeral services, memorial gatherings, and celebrations of life, with the composed piece, a carefully chosen program of songs, or a complete musical accompaniment from the arrival of guests to the final farewell. Intimate, respectful, and deeply present.
One thing worth knowing: a personally composed piece takes time. Good music cannot be rushed, and I do not want to write under pressure just to meet a deadline. If the farewell is approaching soon and there is not enough time to complete a composition, I will perform a carefully chosen program of songs instead, with the same care and presence. The personal composition can then be delivered afterwards, as a lasting memorial to carry beyond the day of the farewell.
What is created?
A personalized piece of music as a lasting memorial, tailored to the person, the occasion, and the atmosphere. Delivered as an audio file for home listening or sharing, optionally on CD or vinyl. Available with sheet music or text. On request, performed live at the farewell ceremony, as a single piece or as a complete musical program for the entire service.
This creates something that goes beyond a farewell gesture: a musical memory that keeps the person present, offers comfort to those who remain, and honors a life in the most human way possible.
Costs & framework
Every composition is as unique as the person it honors. The scope can vary, from a simple intimate recording to a version with live performance and additional musicians. To ensure everything feels right for you, I clarify all details personally and transparently, in a calm conversation and a written offer. This way you know exactly what to expect, and what fits your wishes and your possibilities.
About me
Music has accompanied me since childhood. The guitar has become my most important instrument of expression. With it I can capture moods depending on what the occasion requires. Over the years I have learned how music connects people and transforms moments.
When a piece calls for more colors, I collaborate with experienced musicians. Strings, piano, vocals, or other instruments enrich the sound and create exactly the atmosphere you envision. Whenever possible, I record with real musicians in the room. For me, there is simply no substitute for the warmth and presence of a live performance captured on tape. If the budget calls for a leaner approach, I work with high-quality samples, instruments recreated digitally with care and intention. What you will never find in my work, under any circumstances, is music created by artificial intelligence at the push of a button. Not because I can’t, but because I won’t. Music, to me, is a deeply human act. And that is something no algorithm can replicate.
Whether quiet and intimate or warm and ceremonial, I shape music that honors the person and holds space for those who remain. Every note is crafted with care, every composition with devotion.
Music that remembers. Music that comforts. Music that lasts.
Follow Martin Schlögl