Oct 30, 2009, 12:01 GMT
A British vicar has blamed the death of Princess Diana for popularising pop songs at funerals.
Geoff Strickland, 68, has banned popular music from all funerals held at St James Church in Gloucestershire because it detracts from traditional religious ceremonies.
Geoff claims increasing numbers of mourners request songs like 'My Way' and 'Candle in the Wind' - which was played at Diana's 1997 funeral - instead of hymns.
He told Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper: "It all seems to date back to Princess Diana's death, when there was an outpouring of unbelievable emotion. The utter devotion was impressive, but since then it has all changed.
"We have changed to a culture that I find incredibly hard to accept. I am 68, have been a priest for 44 years, and do not want to change.
"To stand at the door of the church and hear Frank Sinatra singing 'My Way' as the coffin is carried in, and then to hear 'Grandad' playing as they file out is not right."
The remarks come just days after Father Ed Tomlinson publicly complained about the rise of secular funerals.
He also rallied against people replacing traditional hymns and prayers with a "poem from Nan" or a "saccharine message from a pop star".
Your Talkback on this Story