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Funeral services for law enforcement officers, first responders, and military personnel often include distinct rituals like presenting a folded American flag to a widow (or widower), playing 'Taps,' or performing a rifle salute in tribute to the departed. You may have witnessed these practices in person or seen them in films or TV shows. However, one element may seem out of place: the haunting sound of Irish or Scottish bagpipes, even when the deceased may not have Irish or Scottish heritage. How did this musical tradition come to be part of memorial services?
The Role of Bagpipes in Police and Firefighter Funerals
To understand this tradition, it's important to note that while bagpipes likely have their roots in Egypt, they are most strongly linked with both Scottish and Irish cultures. Scottish bagpipes are played by inflating a bag using air from the piper's breath, whereas Irish Uilleann bagpipes use bellows. In Scotland, bagpipes were historically used to rally troops and intimidate foes on the battlefield (similar to a horn carried by some Scottish soldiers). Over time, bagpipes became central to weddings and festive events. Musically, their tones can also evoke a slow, mournful melody that fits perfectly with the solemnity of a funeral.
The bagpipe became a notable feature at law enforcement funerals in the 1800s and early 1900s, though its adoption varies depending on which side of the Atlantic you are on. In 1829, Sir Robert Peel, England's home secretary and future prime minister, reorganized the Metropolitan London Police Force to function like a military unit. Many officers were Irish, while the commanders were mainly British, who had also embraced Scottish bagpipes for military use. Thus, playing bagpipes for fallen officers made perfect sense.
In the United States, however, the practice might have roots in part due to prejudice. Irish immigrants were often persecuted during the early to mid-1800s because of the stereotype that they were violent. It wasn’t until politicians recognized the growing influence of the Irish community that they began offering them jobs, hoping to win their votes. As a result, many Irish immigrants found employment in law enforcement, and honoring their heritage with bagpipes at funerals became a common tradition.
It's also possible that early police forces, like Boston's, adopted customs from British law enforcement, including the use of bagpipes. Regardless of the reason, the instrument quickly became tied to memorial ceremonies.
However, that doesn't mean they exclusively used Irish-style bagpipes. Scottish bagpipes, being louder, were more suitable for outdoor funerals where the sound needed to reach a larger crowd. Therefore, Scottish bagpipes often became the preferred choice for such solemn occasions.
If bagpipes were initially used for funerals in cities with large Irish populations, how did the tradition spread to other areas? In 2009, Slate suggested that the bagpipe's popularity at funerals may have grown after they were played at President John F. Kennedy’s procession in 1963. Kennedy, of Irish descent, had enjoyed a performance by Scotland's Black Watch regiment shortly before his assassination, and his widow, Jacqueline, invited them to perform at the funeral.
Why Do Bagpipes Play "Amazing Grace"?
At funerals, bagpipers often perform “Amazing Grace,” though the Scottish tune “Balmoral” is also commonly played. This song can even be heard during funeral scenes in films like The Dark Knight (2008). “Balmoral” was composed by Sir Robert Bruce, a Scottish soldier who fought in World War II and wrote the melody in honor of soldiers who died while imprisoned during the war. Like “Balmoral,” “Amazing Grace” also has a deeply spiritual and moving quality.
So, where do the pipers come from? Typically, they are hired from professional bagpiping services to perform at events. However, you don’t need a funeral to call upon one. Bagpipers also perform at weddings, parades, and various other occasions, as the bagpipe is an instrument that can fit many settings.
Donald Willis, a bagpiper from Ohio, once said in a 2005 Coshocton Tribune article, “It’s just marvelous sounds that bring out the emotion and it’s a very [respectful] sound. If you’re happy, it will bring it out. If you’re sad, it will bring out tears.”
