How to Choose Speakers for a Funeral or Memorial Service

Funerals or memorial services require two specific things to make them extra memorable: the words that are spoken, and the people who say them.

However, many people seem to underestimate the importance of choosing the proper speakers at a funeral until later on in the funeral/memorial planning stages. But choosing the right speakers can make the difficult task of planning this memorable event that much easier. Below are our tips on how to choose speakers for a funeral or memorial service.

Choosing the Number of Speakers

Long gone are the days when one sole person gave the eulogy at a service. Nowadays, multiple speakers are used to give various perspectives and memories of the deceased loved one.

Although it may be difficult to limit the number of speakers, too many could cause the service to last too long and cause the audience to become drained. Aim for having 2-3 speakers talk for 15 minutes each to create a memorable service.

Choosing the Right People

The most common people chosen to speak at funerals are funeral conductors, clergy members, relatives and close friends. Each person can offer a different viewpoint on the deceased: a family member can remark on their loved one’s impact on the family, a friend can speak on their friendship attributes and a clergy may be able to discuss their beliefs and wishes.

Remember that not everyone is comfortable with public speaking. Ensuring that a speaker agrees to this duty in advance and considering whether they will be able to do a good job during this emotional time is important.

Choose someone who will be courteous of the audiences’ emotions and will be able to share a thoughtful message of the deceased loved one.

Keep Your Loved One’s Wishes in Mind

Planning a funeral or memorial service can be overwhelming – especially when you may be dealing with grief yourself. Try to be easy on yourself throughout the decision-making process. Take a step back and look at the event from a logical perspective. Consider the wishes of your loved one, and try to act on them to make them a reality. At the end of the day, trust yourself to make the best decisions for your loved one.

The most important thing to remember is that a funeral is used to remember the life of your loved one, and there are countless ways of doing so. Choose a unique way that best reflects the person you love and everything else should come together easily.

Circle of Life Cremation and Burial Centre Inc. is Here to Help

At Circle of Life Cremation and Burial Centre Inc., we offer a new approach to celebrating the life of a loved one. Whether you are planning a funeral or memorial service, we provide expert services and advice to help honour your loved one’s memory in the best way possible.

Contact us today for more advice on choosing the right speakers at a service or to learn more about our funeral and cremation services.