How to Write a Funeral Speech

A memorial speech or funeral speech is an important aspect in almost all memorial and funeral services. Including eulogies and tributes funeral speeches also offer comments, informal reflections and remembrances. These funeral speeches come in various styles allowing all close friends and family the opportunity to offer comments about their personal relationship with the deceased, offering comfort to all attending the service. If you are asked to give a funeral or memorial speech, consider it an honor and prepare the funeral speech with care.

Funeral speeches come in a few varieties.

Eulogies — They are definitely the commonest type of funeral or memorial speech.  Eulogies are often the primary speech offering testimonial and praise to the life of the deceased.  Eulogies usually are from five to fifteen minutes.

Tributes — At times, tributes can be interchangeable with eulogies.  In most cases, tributes are shorter and a bit less formal than typical eulogies and are often given to supplement a formal eulogy.  A tribute offers close friends and relatives the opportunity to share their personal relationship with the deceased.  A funeral speech can potentially include personal memories and funny stories of the deceased are also appropriate.

Reflections / Remembrances / Casual Comments. — Could be co-employees, close friends, normally relationships apart from household members.  In most cases, limit to about two minutes.

Below we will share some pointers to help you compose a funeral or memorial speech.

Allow enough time to prepare — Taking the proper time to prepare your funeral speech, whether it will only be some casual comments or a complete formal eulogy, allowing yourself enough time to get your speech ready is crucial.      

Take note of  particular memories, you may also decide to share certain positive qualities about the deceased. 

Bring a printed copy with you.  It is often easy to forget where you are in the middle of a speech, especially if you are not used to it. Using not cards can help if you lost track.  Keep the size of the font bigger so you can read it easily enough from a distance.

Practice your speech, and as much as possible, try speaking in a conversational as well as  natural tone.

 

Know that you are most likely not the only one giving a funeral speech or comments. Don’t make it too long. For a funeral eulogy speech, somewhere between five and fifteen minutes is  appropriate.  If you were asked to say a few words, don’t go more than 2 minutes. Others will most likely be offering their comments as well.

 

If composing unique tribute is simply too tough, chances are you’ll benefit from selecting to recite some scripture, a poem or even your favorite passage.Â