New Orleans Jazz Funeral Procession
The Black Men of Labor: History of a New Orleans Jazz Funeral
A New Orleans Jazz Funeral is a powerful celebration of life and death, honoring those who have earned the right through their contributions as musicians, culture bearers, or members of Benevolent Societies and Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs. This deeply rooted tradition is composed
of two distinct parts: The Wake and The Service.
The Wake:
The wake is a social gathering where family, friends, and neighbors come together to view the remains and share memories in a communal, supportive environment.
The Service:
The hired brass band meets at the church or funeral home where the service is held. Afterward, a solemn procession winds through the neighborhood toward the cemetery, accompanied by spiritual hymns such as I’ll Fly Away and Just a Closer Walk with Thee.
Before reaching the cemetery, a symbolic moment known as “Cutting the Body Loose” takes place. The band, family, and friends pause as the hearse passes, marking the transition from mourning to celebration. After the burial, the group walks a few blocks away from the cemetery, and the tone begins to shift, ushering in the joyous second-line tradition.
The Grand Marshall:
At the head of the procession is the Grand Marshal, often a band member or representative of a Social Aid & Pleasure Club or Benevolent Society. He sets the tone, directs the pace, and guides the musical flow of the funeral. With dignity and respect, the Grand Marshal ensures the procession honors the deceased and uplifts the community.
Structure of a New Orleans Jazz Funeral:
In a traditional New Orleans Jazz Funeral, the procession begins with the First Liners, members of Benevolent Societies and Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs. They lead the way, honoring the deceased and expressing the full range of life’s emotions. Behind them follow the hired brass band, along with family, friends, and community members who join the celebration. These are the Second Liners.
Second Liners are participants who join the procession, dancing and rejoicing in tribute. There’s a dynamic reciprocity between the band and the crowd, each feeding off the other’s energy. This participatory culture is uniquely New Orleans, a city built for walking and gathering in the streets.
Historical Roots:
Jazz Funerals trace back to the early 20th century, originally known as Brass Band Funerals. The term “Jazz Funeral” emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s. While today they are exclusive to New Orleans, similar musical funerals were once held across the United States.
These traditions are deeply tied to benevolent societies, which were formed after the Civil War to support formerly enslaved African Americans. These societies provided essential services, medical care, widow annuities, education for orphans, and burial insurance for just 25 cents a week. If a family wanted a band, they received one; if they preferred financial support, that was provided instead. It was a system of self-help and dignity in the face of exclusion from mainstream social services.
Jazz Funerals are reserved for those who’ve earned the honor such as musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, civic leaders, artists, and others who’ve made lasting contributions to their communities or can afford the celebration.
The Repast:
Following the burial, the Repast brings everyone together for food, drink, and fellowship, a final act of remembrance and celebration.