Eulogies

by Graham Davies

Eulogies are at the extreme emotional end of the presentational spectrum. Sadly, I have recently had to advise several clients on how to do them effectively.

Don't tell the whole life story of the deceased. Instead, pick out the real highs: the things that he and his still-living friends and relatives would really like to remember him for. And don't be afraid of humour. Funerals should have laughter as well as tears.

This is one of the few scenarios where I recommend that you use a fully written-out script. It is very difficult to use brief notes as memory-joggers when you have to use the majority of your mental strength just stopping yourself from breaking down.

The most important piece of advice is this: even though it will be painful, rehearse the speech properly, out loud, all the way through, as many times as you can. This allows you to experience the emotion of those words in private before you have to share them in public.

This is the best way of making sure that you control your feelings on the day, rather than letting them control you.