Help! - funeral service speach - any advice would be GREATLY appreciated

Sun_Sparkz · 04-30-2008, 07:51 AM

My nanna's funeral is tomorrow and i will be speaking. We were very close, and i'm quite nervous, but just feel its something i want to do.

noone else is going to be speaking, apart from the eulogy, and i have never had any experience with this before - i have 11 hours till the service and i'm writing my "speech" and would appreciate any feedback,

this is what i have so far:

Sun_Sparkz · 04-30-2008, 07:55 AM

*sorry about spelling and caps - im brainstorming!*

I spent a lot of time in nans care when i was growing up – my earliest memories of her are just that she was SO much fun and made everything magical. She would always be singing, she would play in the pool and race me doing laps, she would sneak sweetened condensed milk out to the garden and we’d eat it out of the can, she loved to dress up in lavish dresses and beautiful jewellery, and she would always beat me on the sega megadrive. She was young at heart.
She was also the “carer” and was full of empathy –always there for friends, family and even neighbours when they were in need of assistance, or a shoulder to cry on. She spoke often of her time working at the Hospital – and just a few months ago i asked her why she had enjoyed working there so much – and she told me that she loved being able to meet the new patients, share their story and find out all about them and show them care when they needed it the most.
Above all, the most beautiful thing I will always carry in my heart is the amazing relationship between nan and pop. I am in awe of their love; so strong and so devoted – if there was a way to bottle just half their passion then that would be one little tonic that could make us very fortunate!

Nan possessed a will and determination that was so strong that sometimes, it seemed like a powerful energy force all of its own. She had a strength inside her that was mighty, yet a softness also, in her big brown eyes, that was beautiful and very easy to adore.

And she in turn adored us –PASSIONATELY - ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES HER PASSION MAY HAVE BEEN miscommunicated, there is NO DOUBT THAT HER LOVE FOR HER FAMILY WAS PURE AND ALL SHE EVER WANTED WAS THE VERY BEST FOR ALL OF US.

There was a leading role, available in this life –
For a woman of strength, a helpful mother,
a fun-loving nanna, and a beautiful wife,
thank you nan, for being the one to play that part
We are blessed - because you loved us
With a ferocious love – from a ruby heart.

xoxoxoBruce · 04-30-2008, 09:39 AM

I think you've got a handle on it.

Sun_Sparkz · 04-30-2008, 09:53 AM

thanx bruce

i hope i havent gone too over the top - or if its too short.

Sundae · 04-30-2008, 01:33 PM

Sorry for your loss.
I hope I catch you in time.

Firstly there is no right or wrong. What you've written is from the heart and it's obviously true - those are the only thinkg you need to consider.

You'll find it will seem as if you're up there forever when you're talking, so don't worry about the length. Take it slowly because you're sharing things about her that people there didn't experience personally. Give them time to take in what you are saying. Pause to let them smile, or cry and remember how this fits in with their memories.

I hope it goes as well for you as it can. I'm sure she would have been very proud to hear it.

BigV · 04-30-2008, 02:15 PM

Read it out loud. Do it more a few times.

Mirror is optional.

Writing it is different from reading it silently which is different from speaking and hearing it. This will make a big difference for your confidence in presenting it and help you hear it, which is how the people at the service will experience it.

You're going to be fine, of course. Speaking from the heart like this will be a *good thing*, despite feeling kind of scary and sad. My condolences.

Shawnee123 · 04-30-2008, 03:29 PM

It's very nice, sun.

Sorry for your loss.

Crimson Ghost · 05-01-2008, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV

Read it out loud. Do it more a few times.

Mirror is optional.

Writing it is different from reading it silently which is different from speaking and hearing it. This will make a big difference for your confidence in presenting it and help you hear it, which is how the people at the service will experience it.

This.

Sun, my condolences on your loss.

BigV · 05-01-2008, 03:52 PM

At first I thought CG had misquoted me. "...Do it more a few times."

That is precisely what I had in mind when I intended to suggest that you do it a few more times. Sheesh.

Sun_Sparkz · 05-01-2008, 10:42 PM

thanks guys - well it was all over yesty and i read out what i had above.

it was better than i expected and everyone really appreciated what i did as noone else got up and said anything (despite having 5 uncles and 21 cousins!)

i'm glad i did it - it felt right and special. it gave the ceremony "heart' as well as head (from the bishop)

thanks for your sympathies

i'm off to nurse a post-wake hang over.

BigV · 05-02-2008, 10:08 AM

You've done well, SS. You overcame your apprehensions, and made a public tribute to someone very important to you. I say that in the present tense, because your "speech" has become part of your nanna that lives on, in you. You'll have her with you always this way.

04-30-2008, 07:51 AM	#1
Sun_Sparkz Has Body Temperature Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I come from a land downunder Posts: 1,105	Help! - funeral service speach - any advice would be GREATLY appreciated My nanna's funeral is tomorrow and i will be speaking. We were very close, and i'm quite nervous, but just feel its something i want to do. noone else is going to be speaking, apart from the eulogy, and i have never had any experience with this before - i have 11 hours till the service and i'm writing my "speech" and would appreciate any feedback, this is what i have so far: __________________ We'll never be as young as we are right now

04-30-2008, 07:55 AM	#2
Sun_Sparkz Has Body Temperature Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I come from a land downunder Posts: 1,105	sorry about spelling and caps - im brainstorming! I spent a lot of time in nans care when i was growing up – my earliest memories of her are just that she was SO much fun and made everything magical. She would always be singing, she would play in the pool and race me doing laps, she would sneak sweetened condensed milk out to the garden and we’d eat it out of the can, she loved to dress up in lavish dresses and beautiful jewellery, and she would always beat me on the sega megadrive. She was young at heart. She was also the “carer” and was full of empathy –always there for friends, family and even neighbours when they were in need of assistance, or a shoulder to cry on. She spoke often of her time working at the Hospital – and just a few months ago i asked her why she had enjoyed working there so much – and she told me that she loved being able to meet the new patients, share their story and find out all about them and show them care when they needed it the most. Above all, the most beautiful thing I will always carry in my heart is the amazing relationship between nan and pop. I am in awe of their love; so strong and so devoted – if there was a way to bottle just half their passion then that would be one little tonic that could make us very fortunate! Nan possessed a will and determination that was so strong that sometimes, it seemed like a powerful energy force all of its own. She had a strength inside her that was mighty, yet a softness also, in her big brown eyes, that was beautiful and very easy to adore. And she in turn adored us –PASSIONATELY - ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES HER PASSION MAY HAVE BEEN miscommunicated, there is NO DOUBT THAT HER LOVE FOR HER FAMILY WAS PURE AND ALL SHE EVER WANTED WAS THE VERY BEST FOR ALL OF US. There was a leading role, available in this life – For a woman of strength, a helpful mother, a fun-loving nanna, and a beautiful wife, thank you nan, for being the one to play that part We are blessed - because you loved us With a ferocious love – from a ruby heart. __________________ We'll never be as young as we are right now

04-30-2008, 09:39 AM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	I think you've got a handle on it. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

04-30-2008, 09:53 AM	#4
Sun_Sparkz Has Body Temperature Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I come from a land downunder Posts: 1,105	thanx bruce i hope i havent gone too over the top - or if its too short. __________________ We'll never be as young as we are right now

04-30-2008, 01:33 PM	#5
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Sorry for your loss. I hope I catch you in time. Firstly there is no right or wrong. What you've written is from the heart and it's obviously true - those are the only thinkg you need to consider. You'll find it will seem as if you're up there forever when you're talking, so don't worry about the length. Take it slowly because you're sharing things about her that people there didn't experience personally. Give them time to take in what you are saying. Pause to let them smile, or cry and remember how this fits in with their memories. I hope it goes as well for you as it can. I'm sure she would have been very proud to hear it. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

04-30-2008, 02:15 PM	#6
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Read it out loud. Do it more a few times. Mirror is optional. Writing it is different from reading it silently which is different from speaking and hearing it. This will make a big difference for your confidence in presenting it and help you hear it, which is how the people at the service will experience it. You're going to be fine, of course. Speaking from the heart like this will be a good thing, despite feeling kind of scary and sad. My condolences. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

04-30-2008, 03:29 PM	#7
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	It's very nice, sun. Sorry for your loss. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

05-01-2008, 03:52 PM	#9
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	At first I thought CG had misquoted me. "...Do it more a few times." That is precisely what I had in mind when I intended to suggest that you do it a few more times. Sheesh. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

05-01-2008, 10:42 PM	#10
Sun_Sparkz Has Body Temperature Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I come from a land downunder Posts: 1,105	thanks guys - well it was all over yesty and i read out what i had above. it was better than i expected and everyone really appreciated what i did as noone else got up and said anything (despite having 5 uncles and 21 cousins!) i'm glad i did it - it felt right and special. it gave the ceremony "heart' as well as head (from the bishop) thanks for your sympathies i'm off to nurse a post-wake hang over. __________________ We'll never be as young as we are right now

05-02-2008, 10:08 AM	#11
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	You've done well, SS. You overcame your apprehensions, and made a public tribute to someone very important to you. I say that in the present tense, because your "speech" has become part of your nanna that lives on, in you. You'll have her with you always this way. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)