What We Do
Music and Songwriting Support for People Facing End of Life and Bereavement
The Swan Song Project is a music charity using songwriting to support people through some of the most difficult experiences in life.
Our main service is free songwriting support for people living with terminal illness, approaching the end of life or experiencing bereavement.
We work with professional songwriters to help people create and record an original song that is completely personal to them.
Songwriting Support
You don’t need to be a musician to write a Swan Song.
You don’t need to play an instrument, read music or know how to write lyrics.
You simply need to have something you want to say.
Our professional songwriters will guide you through the songwriting process, helping you explore your memories, ideas and experiences and turn them into a song.
Sessions can take place in person or online, depending on what works best for you.
Who Can Write a Swan Song?
Our songwriting support is available to people who are:
- Living with a terminal illness
- Approaching the end of their life
- Planning the final stages of their life
- Experiencing bereavement
- Supporting someone close to them through end-of-life care or bereavement
You don’t have to know exactly what you want your song to be about before you begin. The songwriting process can start with a conversation.
What Happens When You Write a Swan Song?
There is no set formula for writing a Swan Song because every person and every song is different.
Your songwriter will spend time getting to know you and understanding what matters to you.
Together, you might explore:
Memories – important people, places and moments from your life.
Relationships – the people you love and what you want them to know.
Stories – experiences, adventures and moments you want to remember.
Feelings – emotions or thoughts that may be difficult to express in other ways.
Messages – something you would like to leave for someone else.
From these conversations, your songwriter will help you develop lyrics, melodies and musical ideas until you have a song that feels like yours.
What Happens to the Finished Song?
The finished song is recorded and provided to the person who created it.
You can choose whether you would like your Swan Song to be shared publicly or kept private for you and your family.
Songs can become a lasting part of a family’s memories and may be played at funerals, memorials or family gatherings, or simply listened to privately whenever they are needed.
Music and Bereavement
Losing someone we love can leave us with memories, feelings and things we wish we could say.
Creating a Swan Song can provide a creative way to remember someone and celebrate their life.
The song might be about the person who has died, a shared memory, a relationship, or simply everything that makes that person special.
Music and End of Life
For someone approaching the end of life, writing a song can be an opportunity to look back, celebrate what matters and leave something behind for the people they love.
A Swan Song can become part of a person’s legacy – a recording of their story, their words and their voice.
Interested in writing a song with us?
Our Events
We also organise live and online events where people can hear Swan Songs and learn more about our work.
Our events bring together participants, families, professional songwriters, supporters and members of the wider community.
The Swan Song Podcast
The Swan Song Podcast explores the craft of songwriting and the connection between music, memory and bereavement.
In each episode, founder Ben Buddy Slack invites a songwriter to share one of their own songs, a songwriting tip and a song that has personal meaning to them in relation to bereavement.
Our Work Is Free to Participants
There is no charge for people accessing our songwriting support.
We are able to provide the service because of the generosity of our donors, fundraisers, trusts, foundations, volunteers and supporters.
Search for a song by Song or writers name
Thanks to our supporters and partners
