Why is the Schubert "Ave Maria" favored at weddings and the Gounod at funerals?

There is no such a thing - which should be play in which..

It is a matter of choice..

You can do the opposite way as well..

For example, Jesu, bleibet meine Freude can be played in both....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6-UXRic7Pg

Maybe people think that the Bach/Gounod has a more somber tone. The Schubert has a peaceful feeling to it, but so does the Bach/Gounod. But the Bach/Gounod does sound a bit more somber and with a bit more drama in it. Maybe this sounds imploring and more suitable to a funeral. I'm just hypothesizing though.

Schubert has a happier peaceful sound (just like people want to feel at a wedding) The Bach is more minor and has some negative connotations with it (it has been used in movies and soap operas as the funeral song)

I don't have the right answer. But I just want to mention that in my native country, Ave Maria has been played at funerals only. Also played at funerals is Chopin's Marche Funebre.

I didn't know that this was the case, but if this seems to be the general consensus, then I'd be very interested too!

Strange, huh?

I didn't know this. I've actually played it the other way around lol