When the time comes to deliver a eulogy at a funeral, it can be challenging to summarize someone's entire life in only a few minutes. Besides, many people fear public speaking at any time, let alone at a time of grief and loss. Use the following advice to help you complete this meaningful task and pay tribute to your loved one.

3 Tips for Giving a Eulogy

1. Use Notes

Don't try to wing it; have a prepared outline so that you hit all the points you want to make and don’t wander off topic. Otherwise, you may digress, lose your train of thought, or forget what you want to say. Having an outline also helps you keep the timing from running too long or short.

Unless you have anxiety about public speaking, try not to craft each word. If you read everything from a script, you could sound wooden and flat. Instead, working from bullet points lets you follow your intended course while still sounding natural and engaging.

2. Practice

Most people are not naturally gifted orators. Unless you are the rare exception, practice your speech. Rehearse multiple times alone, and use a mirror if you want to gauge your mannerisms. Then, practice in front of select friends or family members and ask for feedback. Let the content of the eulogy sink into your memory so that you don’t have to glance down as often during the service.

3. Prepare to Be Emotional

When you deliver the eulogy at the funeral, certain parts of your speech may strike you differently than they did in rehearsal. Keep tissues nearby; if you feel the need to cry, do so, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Pause, regroup, and continue. You may also feel pressure when facing a crowd of friends, family, and strangers who knew your loved one. Be ready for a mix of familiar and new faces; respond to their reactions, but don’t let them derail your eulogy.

If you’ve recently lost a loved one and need the services of a compassionate, dignified funeral professional, contact E.C. Nurre Funeral Homes, Inc., in Amelia, OH. They are locally owned and have served Clermont County for more than 140 years, specializing in funerals, memorial services, cremation, and burial services. To learn where to begin the planning process, visit their website. Call (513) 753-6130 to make an appointment.