Founded in 1586, the Guild of Funerary Violinists is not only Britain's oldest surviving artisans society, but also the first to be granted national status in a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth I. Dedicated to the promotion and execution of the art of Funerary Violin: a tradition once placed at the very heart of our notions of mortality, but now sadly neglected, if not forgotten altogether; the GFV works tirelessly to raise awareness of both the great wealth of music composed to accompany the laying to rest of a tragically departed soul; but also the great wealth of ritual and symbolism associated with mortality and the Funerary Aesthetic, that seems to be so lacking in the culture of today, where Death is pushed to one side and hidden like some embarrassing family secret. It is only by staring Death in the face that you can truly say you have known Life; it is only by losing that which you hold most dear that you can truly say you have known Love; such is the Art of the Funerary Violinist:

NULLUS FUNUS SINE FIDULA

The current Acting President of the Guild is Rohan Kriwaczek.

The current Acting Secretary of the Guild is Matt. Tromans.

The Guild of Funerary Violinists has an extensive archive of wax cylinder recordings by the very last grand students of the great masters of old, dating back to 1906. To find out more click here.

To hire a Funerary Violinist click here