So, you've been given the honor of being asked to speak at a funeral. While you may feel honored that you were chosen, you will also feel a sense of fear and anxiety, because speaking in a room full of people who are mourning can be overwhelming. But there are some things you can do in order to get through the process and give a eulogy that is deserving of the person who passed away.

Keep It Brief

The first thing you need to remember is to keep the speech brief. You want to connect with your audience members, and this isn't the time to drag things out. Probably keeping the speech to 5 to 10 minutes is best. It will not only help keep your audience engaged, but will help you to overcome any anxiety you may have about giving the speech to begin with.

While drafting the speech, be sure to keep the focus on the positive things the deceased accomplished. Talk about their love for their family, their career, and their friends. Choose the main highlights of their life and the positive contributions they made while they were alive.

Personalize It

People love a good story, and now is the time to share one. You were asked to write the eulogy to being with, so make sure you use this time to share one of your favorite memories. If possible, find a story that will make everyone in the audience smile, even laugh. One of the best things you can do for someone who is grieving is to make them smile and remember the good times they shared with the deceased.

Write Everything Down

You may think that you will be fine if you memorize the speech, but the fact is, a funeral is a very emotional time, and when you get up the podium and look out at your audience, you could draw a blank. So make sure you not only write an outline of the speech, but that you write the entire speech down, word for word. This will help when you do draw a blank, and you will have something to refer back on.

Make it Conversational

Write the speech as if you were having a conversation with someone. This will be easier for you as your talk, and it will be easier on the people who are listening to you. It's another way for you to connect with everyone in the room who are all sharing in the same sense of loss as you are. (For more questions about funeral homes, contact a company such as Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home)