Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral: How it started
Moss Wagner, a former Bethany Beach town councilman and business owner, drew inspiration for the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral from similar events held in New Orleans. At first, he wanted to hold a fun party for locals to mark the end of the summer season. This eventually grew into a big theatrical celebration, where attendees march behind the casket with the sounds of trumpets, clarinets, tubas, and trombones. The funeral kicked off in 1985 and became a yearly tradition. The Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral now continues to attract crowds of people that would have typically left much earlier in the day to return home after Labor Day weekend. This event is one of the very few in the country that welcomes participation from all attendees. The only requirement for joining the procession is shedding a few tears for the “dearly departed summer!”
Know before you go
The Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral is happening on Labor Day Monday (September 2) at 5:30 pm on the Bethany Boardwalk. This end-of-summer celebration will feature New Orleans-style music from the Dixie Cats, Downtown Dixieland Band, and the Jazz Funeral Irregulars, who will be part of the procession that carries the casket and bids summer farewell at the Boardwalk Bandstand. At the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral, you can expect to see a large group of summer mourners in tears as they walk through the Bethany Boardwalk toward the bandstand at the center. This might include some people draped in black shrouds, rocking dark sunglasses, carrying flowers and reeds, twirling umbrellas, or dressed in funny costumes. Known as the “Friends of Summer”, these mourners have been sobbing about saying goodbye to the summer tourist season since 1985. Admission for this quirky family-friendly event is completely free and bringing your whole family and friends is highly encouraged. You can even choose to go all out by showing up in costume. The Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral is also hosting a Silent Auction the Friday before Labor Day (August 30) at 3 pm, which benefits the Delmarva Chapter of the American Red Cross. Come support a great cause!
