Tom Parker Funeral: Why This Song Played as ‘The Wanted’ Members Laid Him To Rest

Members of The Wanted paid their tribute to late bandmate Tom Parker by carrying his casket and giving meaningful eulogy.

Parker died on March 30 at the age of 33 following a battle with a stage four brain tumor.

He is being put to rest in South London, with his wife Kelsey Parker encouraging fans to pay their respects.

Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, and Nathan Sykes, who has been with Parker's band since its start in 2009, were spotted strolling together as they carried the casket.

Funeral Service for Tom Parker

Ollie Marland opened the service with a violinist-accompanied rendition of "You Raise Me Up."

RuthAnne Cunningham sang "Handbags and Gladrags," which was accompanied by a violinist. She also performed "Amazing Grace."

Tom Parker's Funeral Song and the Song He Selected to Die To

In addition, one of Tom Parker's favorite band's, Oasis, "Champagne Supernova" played while his coffin was brought inside St. Francis of Assisi church for the funeral.

According to The Sun, he wanted to play the Oasis song "Live Forever" as he died surrounded by loved ones.

The dad-of-two was heard singing the 1994 song out loud during his final moments, according to the site, with an insider commenting on the importance of the music choice.

"You'd think Tom would choose anything by The Wanted, but Oasis' 'Live Forever' perfectly sums him up - he was a rock star."

They went on to say that it was how he wanted to be remembered, and that the song is a "true hymn to courage and defiance," with parts of the lyrics referring to his experience.

The Wanted Eulogy

Max George began his emotional speech with a joke about The Wanted serving as pallbearers. "I could almost hear him remark, It's about time, as he's been carrying us for the previous 12 years."

Parker, he said, was always a brother and a member who had a huge effect from the band's early days.

George went on to joke that Parker was the only member of the band who had a "punch-up" with all of his bandmates, which elicited amusement from the audience.

Siva Kaneswaran also delivered an emotional speech, praising Parker's "huge Boltonian heart" and described him as the risk-taker amongst everyone and the one who always understood when to speak up for the right things.

Meanwhile, Tom Parker's widow, who had been pre-recorded, took the stage and shared memories about how they met before the singer rose to stardom.

"I told everyone I wanted to marry Tom Parker from that moment on," she added.

"Marrying you was the best day of my life ... soulmates, that's what we are."

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The Wanted