Finding the right words for a funeral can feel impossible when you are grieving. Your mind feels foggy, time is moving quickly and the pressure to "get it right" can feel very heavy. The Essential Guide to Writing Funeral Speeches is designed to sit beside you in that moment and gently guide you from blank page to a heartfelt tribute you can actually stand up and deliver.
What this guide helps you do
This guide keeps everything simple, calm and practical. Instead of trying to cover an entire life story, it shows you how to focus on a few meaningful memories that capture who your person really was.
- Understand what a funeral speech is and what it does not need to be, so you can stop aiming for perfection.
- Choose a clear shape for your speech, whether you have only a few minutes or a little longer.
- Turn scattered memories into a gentle storyline that feels natural to say out loud.
- Use plain, everyday language so your speech sounds like you, not like a formal script.
Support with memories and writing
When you are tired or upset it can be hard to remember stories, even happy ones. The guide includes gentle prompts and simple questions that make it easier to recall moments, phrases and small details that bring a person to life again. You are shown how to look for themes in those memories, such as kindness, patience, humour or strength, so your speech has a clear thread.
You also receive example speeches for different relationships and fill in the blanks outlines you can adapt. These are not there for you to copy word for word. They are there to give you a starting point, so you never have to face an empty page on your own.
Support for speaking on the day
This guide does not stop at the writing stage. There is calm, practical advice on how to read your speech, how to practise, and what to do if emotion takes over while you are speaking.
- Simple breathing and pacing tips to help with nerves.
- Suggestions for how to hold your notes and where to stand.
- Backup plans, such as who can step in if you need help half way through.
- Short checklists for what to bring and how to prepare the day before.
Who this guide is for
This guide is suitable for family members, friends and officiants who want to give a sincere, steady funeral speech without feeling lost or alone in the process. Whether you are used to public speaking or have never done anything like this before, it offers a clear path, kind reassurance and practical tools.
If you have been asked to speak and do not know where to begin, The Essential Guide to Writing Funeral Speeches helps you find words that feel honest and loving, so you can honour their life in a way that feels true to you.