Eulogy for my dear Mum

[nowmum]

Im new to this part of Mumsnet. My wonderful Mum died last Sunday. Tomorrow I will be delivering her eulogy. Ive written it and am so happy with it - I know she would be so proud to hear what I have to say. Im a pretty emotional person and cry at all funerals (even when I hardly know the person!). Many parts of the eulogy are emotional and I am so afraid of bursting into tears during it. If anyone has any advice on how you got through a eulogy Id really appreciate it. Thanks.

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

So sorry nowmum .

Nobody present will think any less of you if you get upset and need to pause. Go ahead and do it, and break down if necessary. It is inevitably going to be an emotional experience, my advice fwiw is it might help if you were able to deliver with it with a loved one standing next to you. That way if you stop to cry the other person can take over. But if this is something you need to do on your own, take your time.

In either case, practise it out loud today, see where you need to take a big breath. Tomorrow focus really hard on reading it like it's an excerpt from a book.

[canyou]

I am so sorry for you loss
I agree have a back up incase uou feel you cannot read it. Honestly though you will do it and do it well because it is for you wonderful Mum. I am a reserved and quite person but was able to stand in a full church and speak about my wonderful Dad because I was doing it for him.
You havesurvived these last few days the worst and I truly believe you will be able to do this

[nowmum]

Thank you both so much for your advice. I will have someone with me and I like the book excerpt idea. Managed to get through the removal prayers this evening and felt I was on automatic pilot - kinda hoping to stay in that mode tomorrow!

[bishboschone]

I cried through the one I wrote for my dad ...everyone laughed and cried with me ..xx

[ajandjjmum]

Sorry for your loss nowmum - hope everything went well.

[highlystrung]

Hi. I wrote and delivered the eulogy at my lovely dads funeral last week. I can honestly say that it was the hardest thing I've ever done but I'm so pleased that I did it. I was incredibly nervous and scoured the internet for tips. First off I practiced reading it dozens of times, so that eventually the words didn't make me cry anymore. I also got my husband to go up with me but stand off to the side so he could take over if I broke down. Take a bottle of water and if you feel emotional take sips - it's supposed to calm you down. Speak very slowly too and take a tissue with you.
I was really scared that I would faint or something during the service but I didn't and it was much easier than I expected. I told myself I didn't have to look at anyone if I didn't want to and if I could get through the first three paragraphs I'd be okay. It worked and I really did relax after a bit and could look up and make eye contact. I even managed to say my killer last line that'd is drafted an alternative for if I couldn't read it. Go for it - it's lovely to think I did that for my dad, I know he would have been proud. And if you do cry no one is going to mind - they'll just be full of admiration of you for going up. So many people came up to me afterwards saying they could never have done it. Really good luck - I swear it's worth the agony. You'll have that you did that for your mum forever x

[highlystrung]

Just realised you've already done it. Hope it went well.