Article Public Speaking For Funerals
The following story of courage reveals a marvelous little strategy to give you firm direction and support with your eulogy so your emotions complement the heartfelt things you want to say in an unforgettable way.
I recently attended a funeral service for a kind and gentle family friend who had died unexpectedly from a heart attack. His sudden death left behind a totally shocked family trying to come to terms with it all. Three days later at his memorial service, each member of this saddened family had to find the strength to step forward and deliver their personal tributes.
Overcome with emotion
When it was time for his 22-year old daughter to step forward, her emotions overcame her and she began to cry.
Her brother tenderly put his hand on her shoulder to encourage her to go on.
The good thing was this young woman did not apologise for her crying and rob us of our own need to share in her grief as well. She waited till she had settled and composed herself somewhat. Then she began to speak.
“When I first got the news of my Dad’s passing I was absolutely heart-broken and felt like my world had come to an end. He meant everything to me. The last thing on my mind was what I would say at his funeral service. That same night my uncle phoned me and said, ‘I’m going to give you a little task. I want you to sit down and thoughtfully write your dad a letter sharing all the things that are in your heart… all the things you would tell him if he were sitting there next to you.’”
At this stage she paused and softly said, “Let me read my letter to you.”
We sat transfixed as she poured out her deepest feelings in the things she’d penned in this precious letter.
She shared with this group of close friends and family just how much she loved her Dad and all the sacrifices and wonderful things he had done for her in her life. Her letter ended with the words, ‘I love you so much Dad and will miss you a lot.’
Now our tears were flowing freely too. Our spontaneous applause in acknowledgement of such courage said it all.
In a nutshell
So let’s summarise exactly what this brave young woman did so your eulogy can reach out and have such a wonderful effect on your listeners too.
- She started by sharing her initial feelings of loss and sadness on the death of her father.
- She then allowed us to ‘eavesdrop’ on her uncle’s uplifting phone call as he inspires her to write her heartfelt letter. These two elements made a wonderful lead-in to her touching letter – the body and conclusion of her tribute.
- Now with her letter all planned and written out all she had to do was read it.
- Note that at no stage did she apologise for crying during her talk. At a time of great loss this is as natural as the air we breathe.
So let this brave young woman’s simple strategy be a practical inspiration to help you feel safe and say the special things you want to say in your eulogy to this special person.
© Laurie Smale Inspirational Speaker, Speaking Coach, and Author
ARTICLE // Public Speaking For Funerals
By Laurie Smale, Author 🎤
Have you ever wondered how to prepare a eulogy for a funeral? Ever thought about how to put what you want to say into words?
Read this article on ‘Public Speaking for Funerals!’ to learn more.
https://lauriesmale.com/blog/article-public-speaking-for-funerals
All of my practical coaching wisdom is in my three books available at https://lauriesmale.com/books
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