There are hundreds of decisions to make when planning a loved one’s funeral. One such decision is who will speak throughout the service. Who should you choose? First, you’ll need to know what roles you have to fill.


Who Speaks at a Funeral?

1.  Funeral officiant

The main person who will be speaking throughout the funeral is the funeral officiant. The funeral officiant leads the service. It’s a common misconception that the person who leads a funeral is simply the funeral director. Although some funeral directors can also be available as the funeral officiant, the officiant and director are often not the same person. The funeral director has many other duties on the day of the funeral, and it’s often quite difficult for them to fill both roles.

 

For many religious celebrations, the funeral officiant is a member of the decedent’s church’s clergy. If the decedent was not a member of a church, but they still wanted a religious funeral, a clergy member of another church may be asked to perform the duties. However, in the case of a secular funeral, a certified celebrant may be hired to fulfill the role of funeral officiant. A certified celebrant will have undergone training on how to lead a funeral and how to tailor it to the life of the decedent.

 

There are no laws about who may be the funeral officiant, and on some occasions, a friend or family member may be asked to fill the role. However, it’s worth noting that this request should only occur if the person being asked has knowledge of their duties. Someone unfamiliar with leading funerals may find the task difficult, especially if they were close to the decedent. Ideally, the person filling the role of funeral officiant wouldn’t be someone in the decedent’s immediate family, as they will likely be too emotional to fulfill their duties. The person chosen for the role must also be comfortable with public speaking for long stretches of time.


2.  Eulogists

Although it was once more common for there to just be one person delivering a eulogy at a funeral, it’s now more often that you’ll find several eulogists. A eulogy is a speech meant to honor and memorialize a decedent's life, often through stories. This speech paints a picture of who the decedent was beyond the information you may find in their obituary. A eulogist is most often someone who was very close to the decedent, such as a close friend, a significant other, or a child.

 

During religious celebrations, the eulogist may be a member of the clergy. However, because there can be more than one eulogy, a close friend or family member may still give an additional speech. If no close friend, family member, or clergy member gives the eulogy, it may be given by the officiant.

 

In the case of someone who was close to the decedent giving the speech, it’s important to consider their emotional ability to perform the task. It should not be assumed that anyone will deliver the eulogy. If you’re planning a funeral for a loved one, you should speak to those you are considering for the eulogy and ask if they feel up to the task. Remind them that it’s perfectly acceptable to say no. Eulogies are very emotional speeches and require the speaker to be comfortable standing in front of a crowd for up to 10 minutes. If anyone feels that they will be too emotional to speak or are uncomfortable speaking for that long, they should not be a eulogist. However, it’s also a good idea to have someone on hand on the day of the funeral who feels comfortable going up and completing a eulogy should someone who was chosen to be a eulogist become too overcome with emotion while trying to give their speech.


3.  Readers

If someone wants to speak but does not feel comfortable performing a eulogy, they may be able to be a guest reader instead. A reader, as their title suggests, does not perform a speech but instead reads to the audience. In the case of a religious funeral, they may read a passage from a sacred text. But any funeral may include the reading of a poem or book passage. Make sure that the readers have their text before the day of the funeral so that they can practice.

 

When you pick the speakers at your loved one’s funeral, make sure that your funeral director has a list of their names. The funeral director will work closely with whoever is chosen as the officiant to ensure that the funeral runs smoothly. But they’ll also need the names of the eulogists and readers to make sure that everyone is where they need to be during the service and has all the materials they need for their speeches or readings.

 


www.smithfamilycares.com

Smith Family Funeral Homes provides quality funeral, memorial and cremation services to the families of Central Arkansas. Their six locations can be found in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Westbrook, Sherwood, Benton and Arkadelphia. With a privately-owned crematory operated by licensed professionals, Smith Family Funeral Homes can guarantee their high standard of care throughout the cremation process. To learn more, visit smithfamilycares.com.

What Happens at a Visitation?

By Smith Family • February 5, 2025
Human beings are social. We crave the company of others. During times of stress our friends comfort us, they listen to us, and share our troubles. When someone we love dies, we need our people.

What’s the Benefit of Paying for My Funeral in Advance?

By Smith Family • February 5, 2025
Planning for your end-of-life ceremony, your funeral, has many benefits. Some of them are practical, some are emotional, and some are financial. For some, planning in advance actually helps them live a better, more purpose-driven life.

Eating Alone Is Hard

By Smith Family • February 5, 2025
For a person who has lost a life partner, a husband or a wife, mealtime is often the most challenging time of their day. It is sometimes difficult to muster the desire or skill necessary for meal preparation. Sometimes it is just hard to deal with the expanse of the table when no one else is sharing the space. So, it becomes too much trouble to cook for one or to eat alone.

Does Everyone Go Through the Five Stages of Grief?

By Smith Family • January 6, 2025
What does grief look like? It’s a question that’s been asked for centuries, and it’s difficult to answer because grief looks different to different people. But we’ve often been told that the grieving process follows a certain path, which is commonly called the five stages of grief. Does everyone go through the five stages? And if they don’t, how do they know if they’re grieving properly?

Attention to Detail Matters in a Funeral Director

By Smith Family • January 6, 2025
When you work with a funeral director, you’ll quickly find that they don’t just look at the big picture. They want to know details, from how you want your loved one to look to how you want some of their most precious items to be featured. Here are just a few of the details that a funeral director needs to know to ensure that they plan a funeral that’s perfect for your loved one.

Dealing with Grief on the Anniversary of a Loved One’s Passing

By Smith Family • January 6, 2025
There are many days throughout the year that remind us of our loved ones who are no longer with us physically. We find ourselves thinking of them on their birthdays, special holidays, or anniversaries. The anniversary of their passing can be an especially difficult day. Experiencing grief on this day is natural, but it can be overwhelming and painful. Here are a few tips to help you get through this challenging day.

Why Have a Funeral Service

By Smith Family • January 6, 2025
When a loved one passes, one of the first questions that often gets asked is when the funeral will be held. It’s assumed that a funeral will be the way in which family and friends say a final farewell, but do you have to have a funeral? While no law makes it so that you have to hold a funeral in a loved one’s honor, you may want to consider what you could miss out on when you decide against a funeral.

The 20 Best Songs to Play at a Funeral

By Smith Family • November 25, 2024
Music affects us. Whether it makes us laugh from silly lyrics or cry from a meaningful melody, music has the power to make us feel something. Choosing music for a funeral can help set the tone of the service and mirror the spirit of our loved one. Take a look at some of the best and most popular songs played at funerals to inspire your own choices.

5 Things Not to Do When Someone Is Grieving and What to Do Instead

By Smith Family • November 25, 2024
When a friend loses a loved one, you want to do what you can to help them through this difficult time. But what does that support look like? Sometimes, when we attempt to help friends who are grieving, we end up saying and doing things that may not be all that beneficial. Some common attempts to be of service may actually be better off avoided. What should you not do when a friend is grieving?

What’s the Best Thing to Say to Someone at a Funeral?

By Smith Family • November 25, 2024
When someone passes, what should you say to the people they leave behind? It’s a tricky question. You want to be respectful and acknowledge their loss. You don’t want to diminish their grief, but you also don’t want to say something that may upset them when they’re already experiencing many emotions. When you greet a family member at their loved one’s funeral, what's the best thing to say?
More Posts