Unless you're a seasoned public speaker, delivering a eulogy can be a scary, emotionally-trying time. It is recommended that you:
- Take your time with the delivery.
- Breathe deeply.
- Stay relaxed.
- Take regular sips of water.
If you have doubts about your ability to perform in front of an audience, consider appointing a backup person to fill in for you. Or, you can just ask someone else to take over the duty of reading the eulogy aloud for you.
"Giving a eulogy is good for you," says author Tom Chiarella. "It may hurt to write it. And reading it? For some, that's the worst part. The world might spin a little, and everything familiar to you might fade for a few minutes. But remember, remind yourself as you stand there you are the lucky one. And that's not because you aren't dead. You were selected. You get to stand, face the group, the family, and the world, and add it up. You're being asked to do something at the very moment when nothing can be done. You get the last word in the attempt to define the outlines of a life."