THE FAMILY of a well-known Bradford snooker player has hit out at a church for refusing his “dying wish” to have his favourite song played at his funeral.

Relatives of Brian Mullaney, of Allerton, have had to rearrange the venue of his funeral, from a Catholic church to an Anglican church.

The move came after Assistant Priest Timothy Whitwell at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Little Horton, Bradford, told Mr Mullaney’s nephew, David Mullaney, that he would not play ‘Is That All There Is?’ by Peggy Lee.

At Catholic funerals, “secular music” is not usually permitted.

The 1969 hit was the favourite song of Mr Mullaney, a former Bradford Billiards and Snooker Champion, who died aged 73 on January 16 after a short illness.

David Mullaney said: “Fr Whitwell said in his beliefs he cannot conduct the service and play this record.

“It’s not about him, it’s about celebrating life, and it was Brian’s dying wish to have this song played as he left the church.

“It’s not offensive, it’s actually quite a moving song.”

A spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Leeds said: “Bereavements and funeral arrangements are very stressful and our condolences and prayers are with the Mullaney family.

“Mr Mullaney had requested a Catholic funeral, which is a sacred religious rite.

“Of the two pieces of music which Mr Brian Mullaney had asked for, one of them was entirely in keeping with Church guidelines that music at a funeral should always be drawn from the broad repertoire of Christian hymns and compositions.

“The second piece was a secular song, and with secular songs, priests recommend that the family has it at the crematorium or graveside after the final religious rite of committal has taken place – all of which is still part of the funeral.

“People often request secular songs, music and readings for funerals and weddings, but the Church does not usually permit this, as secular songs and poetry often do not accord with the Christian faith.

“‘Is That All There Is’ is known to be a song about disillusionment and disappointment with life and death – so is not appropriate, given Christians’ belief in everlasting life and joyful hope in the Lord’s Resurrection.”

The funeral has now been moved to St Peter’s Church in Allerton Road, starting at 10am tomorrow.

“Rev. Dr George Williams has come to our rescue, he cancelled a lot of things to hold the funeral,” added David Mullaney.

The rest of the service will go as planned, with Brian Mullaney buried in Scholemoor Cemetery at 11am, and a reception at West Bradford Bowling Club. Rev. Dr George Williams, minister of St Peter’s Church, said the church is “here to serve everyone in the parish, of all faiths or none”.

He said: “We always aim to meet the special requests of the family, who are suffering grief at the loss of their loved one.”

MORE TOP STORIES