Lennon's 'Imagine' banned from funerals

John Lennon's 'Imagine' has been banned from being played at funerals.

The late Beatles singer's 1971 hit is outlawed from the majority of funerals because it includes the lyrics "imagine there's no heaven".

There are several other popular tunes banned by crematoriums for being "offensive", including The Trammps' 'Disco Inferno' because it includes the line "burn baby burn", a study by Co-op Funeralcare has discovered.

Spokeswoman Lorinda Robinson said: “Hymns were once the mainstay of a funeral service – but pop music plays such an important part in people’s lives that it now acts as the theme tune to their passing.”

'Match of the Day' is the most popular TV theme tune chosen at funerals, with 'Abide With Me' the most popular hymn and Frank Sinatra's 'My Way' was the most requested song.