John Lennon's classic song Imagine has been banned from dozens of church funeral services in the U.K. over its controversial lyrics.

Despite being one of the best-loved songs of all time, religious leaders are declining to put the ballad on potential playlists at memorials because of the line "Imagine there's no heaven".

According to a recent study by British company Co-op Funeralcare, crematorium bosses have also axed unsuitable tracks including The Trammps' Disco Inferno and Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell, ruling they are in bad taste.

The most frequently requested song for a final send-off was Frank Sinatra's My Way.