Funerals are not just meant for the dead but for the living as well. They provide an opportunity for the living to memorialize their loved one as well as to accept the fact that he is forever gone from their midst. Giving an opportunity for close family and friends to pay funeral tributes is a good way of honoring their loved one.
Be mentally prepared for the task. Even if you know the deceased person well, public speaking and your grief can make the task tougher. Take time to organize your thoughts and plan what to say. If possible, write down the speech as it will guide you along.
Think through your memories of the person. Highlight any memories that you can comfortably share with other people. Preferably, it should be something that other people in the service can be able to identify with. Talking to other people who were close to the deceased will give you great points to talk about.
Show how the deceased affected your life. Talk about any life lessons or any of their character traits that inspired you to be a better person. Be yourself and try not to imitate anyone when giving your speech. It will help you connect with the audience.
Do not be overly emotional when delivering your speech. While it is permissible to show some bit of emotion, you should be able to master yourself and talk in an audible voice. Remember to also speak a word of comfort to the family members who lost their loved one and do not just make the whole speech to be about you and the deceased.
Know how much time you have been allocated for the speech. Usually, more than one person will be allowed to give funeral tributes. Finishing your speech on time will help to keep the rest of the program on time.
