How to talk on such an occasion is difficult to say. Emotions play a major role. But still some guidelines might help.
1. Try to establish your connection with the deceased person. Is it as a friend, colleague, teacher, student, or a familial relationship.
2. Speak of the manner of passing away. Was it peaceful? Was it is untimely? If it was a prolonged illness how did the person cope with it.
3. How has it impacted family, friends, and others known to the person?
4. Try to state family history, upbringing, schooling and college education, employment, and married life whichever is applicable.
5. Recall one or two instances where the person’s unique qualities shone through. This is especially comforting to the members of family.
6. End with a note of support to the surviving members of family.
7. If there is a positive message that the person’s life exemplified, do mention it as something to be emulated and followed.
Death is a time when the future looks like a huge question mark. No one has easy answers to give. Yet if someone had firm faith in God, you can always highlight the certainty of hope he or she had. It is this hope of meeting one’s loved one again; more alive than now in the presence of God that makes the rainbow seen through the tears.
The reality of death should make all think. How long before it is my turn? Before It comes how can I live with a purpose? Can I help make a positive difference in the life of others? In one word, the death of someone should make us wise in how we live in this world and how we are preparing ourselves for a life beyond earth’s final farewell.
Note: Avoid mention of negatives. It is also good not to describe the person in too many superlatives; that might come across as insincere.
Be brief in your talk. Remember to pick instances from the person’s life that show his or her love and care for others, exceptional academic, co-curricular or work-related achievements.
—
Conclusion of speech by Princess Diana’s brother at her funeral:
I would like to end by thanking God for the small mercies he has shown us at this dreadful time. For taking Diana at her most beautiful and radiant and when she had joy in her private life. Above all we give thanks for the life of a woman I am so proud to be able to call my sister, the unique, the complex, the extraordinary and irreplaceable Diana whose beauty, both internal and external, will never be extinguished from our minds.
Related Posts: Bishop Jesudasan-A Short Speech of Tribute