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Funeral Readings - Choosing the Right
Ones
By Kim Gibson
One of the most comforting aspects of a funeral service
can be the addition of special readings. No matter what
the source, carefully chosen funeral readings can bring
hope and healing to those attending. Here's a guide to
choosing just the right funeral reading, whether you're
planning the service or have been asked to speak.
Who Delivers A Funeral Reading? The person who reads
something special at a funeral doesn't have to be the
person officiating. The family may ask a friend or loved
one of the deceased to give a reading as part of the
service.
How Long Should it Be? It's very important to ask the
person planning the funeral how long your reading should
be and then to stay within those limits. Even the most
beautiful poem can become stressful if it stretches on
too long. Typically, a funeral reading should last no
more than two or three minutes, especially if there will
be several during the service.
Where Can I Find Funeral Readings? You'll need to know
what type of reading the family would like you to
deliver. Typical readings include:
Poems - Original or Published
Scriptures
Song Lyrics
Quotations from the Deceased or Well-Known Person
Stories About the One Who Has Died
Prayers
The family may ask you to read something they've
selected because of its connection to the deceased. If
not, there are a number of sources for finding something
special to read. Religious sources include the Bible or
other sacred texts and collections of religious readings
that are readily available online or at bookstores.
Those sources can also provide you with secular poems or
readings. If you're asked to share a special story about
the departed, consider your audience and keep it within
the requested time frame. You may also choose to share a
collection of sayings the person being honored was known
to use. As a courtesy, share the funeral reading you've
prepared with the family prior to the service.
What If I'm Nervous? Delivering a reading at a funeral
isn't quite the same as a formal speaking engagement.
Being nervous or emotional is understandable. Practice
delivering your funeral reading, by all means, so that
you can be as comfortable as possible at the service. In
the end, delivering a reading from the heart will bring
more comfort than a clinical, detached delivery.
Sharing funeral readings that bring to mind the person
who has died and give comfort to the grieving is one of
the kindest things you can do following a death. If
you're asked to deliver such a reading, use these
guidelines to choose something appropriate and then
share it genuinely in memory of the deceased.
Kimberly Gibson is owner of Elegant Memorials Funeral
Programs. She also writes and publishes a wide range of
articles in funeral and memorial planning including
Funeral Poems. |
