Nat King Cole

Adele's instant modern classic 'Someone Like You' immediately struck a chord for those mourning a relationship, so it's no real surprise that this solemn ballad has made it to number 22 in the Co-Operative Funeralcare's chart for funereal songs - a list of the most requested songs at funerals over the past 12 months.

Adele's appearance on the list continues a growing tradition of pop music overtaking the place of hymns at funerals, so found the survey of 250 of the 900 funeral homes run by the Co-Operative. In fact, Gigwise reports that “They found that pop music has replaced hymns in two-thirds of British funerals as hymns have fallen to 30% of funeral music requests.” For the past seven years Frank Sinatra's 'My Way' has topped the list, and is requested at 15% of all funerals. Plus more ironic songs such as Monty Python's 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' often makes an appearance.

The Top 10 pop songs requested at funerals in 2012 include Eva Cassidy's 'Over the Rainbow', Nat King Cole 'Unforgettable' and Robbie William's 'Angels' among others.Only 4% of funerals now have classic music requested and hymns account for only 30% of songs at funerals. The popularity of Adele's song may be in the million records that it sold in 2011 and her heart wrenching rendition that she performed at the Brit Awards in the same year, where she was overwhelmed by tears by the end of her performance.