How To Choose Speakers For A Funeral
Jefferson Memorial Cemetery & Funeral Home
For more information about the author, click to view their website: www.jeffersonmemorial.com
Mar 25, 2025
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
What makes a funeral service memorable? Most often, it's the
words that are spoken and the special people who say them. So when you gather
with family members to plan a ceremony to help you celebrate the life of a
loved one, it's wise to choose your speakers with care. There are several
speaking roles to think about. Choosing the right person for each of these
roles is important.
Ceremony Leader
You will need one person to take charge and oversee the
ceremony. This person is responsible for starting and finishing the service,
performing official duties within the ceremony, and coordinating all the
activities in between. This person is called the officiant.
If your loved one was involved in a religion, the clergy
from his or her church may be the logical choice. If the person who died (the
deceased) was not a member of a specific church, you can invite clergy from
another church or an officiant with no church connection to perform a religious
ceremony.
Most clergy will follow an order of service dictated by
their religious rules. This typically includes prayers, readings and blessings
for the deceased and saddened family members.
If a non-religious ceremony seems right, or family members
are having trouble choosing the clergy, a professional funeral celebrant may be
the solution. A celebrant will work with you to design a fully customized
ceremony that can meet a variety of needs. Your funeral director can help
arrange for an officiant.
Guest Speaker or Eulogist
Another important choice is the person or people who will
write and deliver a speech – a eulogy – about the life of the person who has
died. The speech is ideally given by someone who knew the person well enough to
gather and share memories and highlights of his/her life.
Sometimes the choice is obvious within the family. There is
often one person who seems to be the unofficial family spokesperson. In other
cases, the family needs to look further to find the right person to have the
honor. Another family member, a lifelong friend or a trusted co-worker might
have the perfect combination for the job – a deep knowledge of the person who
died and good writing and public speaking abilities. In some cases, the
officiant, who may be a priest, minister, or professional celebrant, will give
the eulogy.
Many families choose to have more than one speaker to cover
different aspects of their loved ones' life. One way to do this is to follow
the main eulogy with a couple of shorter presentations; perhaps a grandson
reading a letter or a daughter reading Mom's favorite poem. In all, no more
than 30 minutes should be planned for the Eulogy part of the service.
One last word of advice about eulogies: keep in mind that
even though a family member may wish to speak at the funeral to help with the
healing process, he or she may be too emotionally distressed to speak when the
time comes. It's a good idea to have another speaker ready to step in and
finish the speech if necessary.
Reader(s)
Many services include readings from the Bible or other
sacred texts. These may be read by clergy or other guests. When planning the
service, ask the clergy or celebrant whether guest readers are required or
allowed. This could be a welcome honor for a family member or close friend who
is not up to the task of writing or presenting a long speech. If you have guest
readers, make sure they have the verses ahead of time in order to practice and
double check any tricky words.
Open Microphone
It has become popular to “open the floor” to allow guests to
share additional memories with the group. While this practice can provide more
information about the life of the deceased and create a deeper feeling of
community, it's not without some risk. Clear time limits should be set and
respected. The ceremony leader must be prepared to politely guide participants
who speak too long, or the ceremony can start to drag.
Final Words
There are formal and informal rules, rites and traditions
involved in almost any funeral or memorial ceremony. Especially if your service
occurs in a place of worship, there will be guidelines to respect. Make sure
you meet with the selected officiant ahead of time so you understand what to
expect and have a chance to discuss any special requests.
Most important, remember whose life you are celebrating. Their stated wishes, or your understanding of what they would prefer, should always guide your decisions.
- To view the original version of this article visit www.jeffersonmemorial.com/resources/how-to-choose-speakers-for-a-funeral
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
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Whether you need to make arrangements immediately or simply have questions about your options, our Jefferson Memorial staff is here to help with sensitivity and professionalism.Why Choose Jefferson Memorial?Trusted Legacy: Jefferson Memorial has been a cornerstone of the Pittsburgh community for over 95 years, offering unmatched service and care to families during their most difficult times.Comprehensive Services: From pre-planning to funeral services, cremation, burial, and memorialization, Jefferson Memorial offers a one-stop solution for all your needs.Beautiful, Serene Grounds: The cemeterys 180-acre certified arboretum offers a stunning natural setting that provides comfort and solace to families.Veteran and Pet Services: Special sections and memorials to honor veterans and pets.Personalized Memorials: From keepsake jewelry to custom urns, Jefferson Memorial offers unique ways to memorialize your loved ones.Whether you are planning ahead or need immediate assistance, Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, Funeral Home, Crematory & Arboretum is here to serve you. 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Cemetery 401 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15236When it comes to honoring your loved ones with dignity and care, Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, Funeral Home, Crematory & Arboretum stands as a trusted name in Pittsburghs South Hills. For nearly a century, this family-owned business has been dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized services to help families navigate lifes most difficult moments. Whether you're planning ahead or in immediate need, Jefferson Memorial offers everything you need to create lasting memories for your loved ones with unparalleled service and attention to detail.A Legacy of Service and TraditionFounded in 1929, Jefferson Memorial is a fourth-generation, veteran-owened, family-operated cemetery, funeral home, and crematory. With over 180 beautifully landscaped acres and a commitment to exceptional service, it has become one of the largest and most respected privately-owned cemeteries in the country. Whether you're seeking traditional burial, cremation services, or customized memorialization options, Jefferson Memorial has been a beacon of reliability and trust for families throughout Pittsburgh and beyond. With its stunning location, dedicated staff, and a comprehensive range of services, this cemetery and funeral home can meet the needs of every family, no matter their wishes or cultural traditions.Comprehensive Funeral Services Tailored to Your NeedsAt Jefferson Memorial, youll find a full-service funeral home thats equipped to handle every detail with care. The funeral home offers professional and sensitive services, whether you are pre-planning a ceremony or in immediate need of assistance. The facility includes four spacious visitation rooms, a welcoming hospitality room, and even a dedicated childrens area to ensure that all members of your family are comfortable during this emotional time.What sets Jefferson Memorial apart is its seamless integration of funeral home, crematory, and cemetery services. With an on-site crematory, your loved ones remain under the care of the funeral homes compassionate staff throughout the entire process, which ensures a stress-free and respectful experience from beginning to end. The funeral home also offers a range of personalized memorial options, including cremation jewelry, benches, keepsake urns, and much more, so you can create a tribute that reflects the unique life of your loved one.Beautiful Grounds with a Peaceful, Natural SettingSet on 180 acres, Jefferson Memorial Cemetery offers a beautiful and unique environment for families to reflect, remember, and honor their loved ones. The meticulously maintained grounds are more than just a cemetery; they are a certified Level II arboretum featuring a diverse array of trees, flowers, and plants that create a peaceful atmosphere conducive to healing and remembrance.The cemetery features 47 beautifully landscaped burial gardens, including dedicated sections for children and veterans. This variety ensures that families have multiple options for burial, including personalized memorials and private estates that reflect individual life stories. Jefferson Memorial also offers unique sections, such as a shared space for both pets and people, acknowledging the deep bonds we share with our animal companions.A Trusted Crematory Service You Can Rely OnFor those who prefer cremation, Jefferson Memorial is proud to have its own state-of-the-art crematory on-site. This exclusive service ensures that your loved ones remain in the care of the Jefferson Memorial family throughout the entire cremation process. With the highest standards of respect and care, Jefferson Memorial offers families peace of mind, knowing that all services are performed by a trusted team in a safe, professional environment.The funeral home offers a variety of cremation memorialization options to help you honor your loved one in a meaningful way. Whether you choose cremation jewelry, personalized urns, or Parting Stones solidified stones made from cremated remains you can create a tribute that beautifully reflects your loved ones life.Commemorating the Lives of Veterans and PetsJefferson Memorial is deeply committed to honoring those who have served in the military, and as such, offers special sections for veterans, ensuring that their sacrifices are forever remembered. These veteran sections, along with the cemeterys personalized memorials, serve as a fitting tribute to the men and women who have served this country.Additionally, Jefferson Memorial recognizes the importance of pets in the lives of families and offers dedicated pet sections within the cemetery. These sections provide families with a peaceful resting place for their beloved animal companions. Whether you choose to bury your pet individually or alongside your family members, Jefferson Memorial ensures that every member of your family no matter their species is cared for and remembered with respect.Pre-Planning Services: Giving You Peace of MindPlanning ahead not only alleviates stress on your loved ones, but it also ensures that your wishes are honored. Jefferson Memorial provides pre-planning services to help you make the necessary arrangements in advance. Their compassionate and licensed team is available to discuss options, assist with financial planning, and guide you through the process, ensuring that every detail is taken care of long before the time of need. By pre-planning with Jefferson Memorial, you can ensure that your family will be spared the burden of making difficult decisions during a challenging time.Immediate Need Assistance: Here When You Need Us MostIn a time of immediate need, Jefferson Memorial is always available to help. The funeral home operates 24/7 to assist families in Pittsburgh and the South Hills area, providing support, guidance, and expert care during lifes most difficult moments. Whether you need to make arrangements immediately or simply have questions about your options, our Jefferson Memorial staff is here to help with sensitivity and professionalism.Why Choose Jefferson Memorial?Trusted Legacy: Jefferson Memorial has been a cornerstone of the Pittsburgh community for over 95 years, offering unmatched service and care to families during their most difficult times.Comprehensive Services: From pre-planning to funeral services, cremation, burial, and memorialization, Jefferson Memorial offers a one-stop solution for all your needs.Beautiful, Serene Grounds: The cemeterys 180-acre certified arboretum offers a stunning natural setting that provides comfort and solace to families.Veteran and Pet Services: Special sections and memorials to honor veterans and pets.Personalized Memorials: From keepsake jewelry to custom urns, Jefferson Memorial offers unique ways to memorialize your loved ones.Whether you are planning ahead or need immediate assistance, Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, Funeral Home, Crematory & Arboretum is here to serve you. Our expert team is ready to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today at (412) 655-4501 or visit our website for more information about the services they offer and how we can help create a meaningful and lasting tribute for your loved one.