Planning a funeral service eulogy for a loved one can be an emotional experience. In addition to speaking in front of a crowd, you also want to honor their memory with a heartfelt and meaningful speech. Below are a few tips to help guide you through the planning process and deliver a moving eulogy.

How to Deliver a Meaningful Eulogy

1. Look Inward

Before planning a eulogy speech, it’s important to take a moment for yourself. During this time, you can reflect on your relationship with the person who has passed, remembering times of happiness and even struggle. Focusing on these memories can help you clarify your thoughts and provide some inspiration for the funeral service speech.

2. Determine Style

Next, you’ll want to decide what type of eulogy you want to deliver. The first option is a short biography, which covers the deceased person’s life overall. Provide funeral service guests with a brief overview of important milestones in their life, including schooling, career, marriage, children, or grandchildren. You can even add personal memories and stories as anecdotes to help make the speech more personal.

The other option is the personal view, which provides a screenshot of your loved one. You can choose to focus on one story in particular that best demonstrates the deceased’s perseverance, sense of humor, selflessness, or other character trait. Offering this personal viewpoint is a poignant way to remember your loved one and honor their memory in front of funeral service guests.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice

Once you’ve decided on a eulogy style and planned the points you want to make during the speech, it’s time to rehearse. For a eulogy in particular, it’s never a good idea to “wing it,” as the funeral will likely be emotional and even stressful in ways you can’t plan. Practicing the speech out loud a few times can help you stay in control of your emotions.

4. Set Yourself Up for Success    

Lastly, set yourself up for success by getting an idea of the room you’ll be delivering your speech in. Walking the space a few times, finding out how many people will be in attendance, and learning whether or not a microphone will be available can all help you feel more prepared when it comes time for you to speak. If you’re really nervous, ask someone you trust to stand in for you and read your speech, should you become overwhelmed. Having backup support standing with you can help you feel more confident and in control.

When you need a caring and professional expert to help you arrange funeral plans, look no further than Herman-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Serving the community since 1953, they offer comprehensive and compassionate burial and memorial services to remember your loved ones. Their team of funeral directors can guide you through an array of options that keep the cost of funeral arrangements within your budget. You can learn more about their funeral services by visiting their website or calling (715) 423-5460 today.