Speaking at a loved one’s funeral gives you a chance to share your heartfelt thoughts with others and celebrate their life. However, it can seem a bit overwhelming to those who aren’t used to public speaking or expressing grief. These tips can help you organize your thoughts and deliver a positive speech.

How to Prepare to Speak at a Loved One’s Funeral

1. Do Research

Before you start to craft your speech, talk to other family members and friends to get their thoughts and stories, which could help you create talking points. Get their permission before sharing personal stories, or just gather general sentiments about how caring, funny, or driven your loved one was.

Additionally, looking through old photos or mementos may help to jog your memory about your own experiences with them.

2. Write Down Thoughts

Even if you’re a strong improviser, speaking at a funeral can be overwhelming and cause you to forget key points. You don’t need to write your speech word for word, but keep a list of talking points you want to cover on an index card. Include a mix of personal stories and general sentiments, and make sure there’s an overarching theme to your speech so it seems cohesive.

3. Look at the Audience

When delivering your speech, you want to convey how heartfelt your feelings are, so it helps if you look people in the eye rather than staring down at a script the whole time. Before the funeral, practice in the mirror or with a few close family members. During the speech, pick out a few friendly faces to look at, and be sure to glance around the audience at various points.

If you’re planning a funeral for a loved one, the caring team at Robert W. Waid Funeral Home in Meadville, PA, can help. The family-owned and operated funeral home has been helping families throughout Crawford County since 1900. The team walks families through their options and offers completely customizable services, from cremation to non-traditional memorial services. Visit the funeral home’s website to see a full list of options. To speak with a funeral director, call (814) 724-1021.