Pleaseeee help funeral poem reading!?

Question

It is my aunts funeral next tuesday and i have wrote a poem in her memory to read aloud at the ceremony.

Only problem being im almost positive ill cry,

then no one will be able to understand me.

I really want to read it out myself as i wrote it personally, and it doesnt sound how id like it to when someone else reads it.

However it will be even worse if i blub and sniff all the way through it.

Any ideas on how to hold it together at least to read my poem?

Answer 1

Practice deep, calm breathing.  Find yourself some time to say a small, personal goodbye before the funeral so it's not all bottling up until the funeral.  Maybe a spot you both loved, or over a story you shared or just talk to someone else about what she meant to you.

You have the strength to do this and can hold it together for the reading.  Tell yourself so.  Think about how you want it to sound and not on what *might* happen.  

Personally, I'd imagine she was next to me, holding my hand, reading it with me, helping me.  But that's just me. How I work on these things.  

Oh and don't get someone else to do the reading.  It sounds like it is more important that you do the reading whatever happens and I would suggest it'd be even worse to look back and think "I wish I'd done that reading".  Even if you do "blub", as you put it, nobody will mind, nobody will think less of you, they'll all understand as would you aunt.

Answer 2

Between now and the time of the funeral, keep reading your poem over and over again until you find yourself getting used to the words.  After a while, they will just be words to you.

Answer 3

It won't you know. Sound even worse if you cry. You obviously loved your aunt very much indeed and to cry at her funeral is no crime in any way.

Try to stand reasonably straight and look at someone you love equally well - your Mum if you are lucky. You will find that looking and reading your poem and alternately looking at the person will give you strength.

As the other answer says this is no exam it is an expression of a very admirable sentiment expressed in public by someone who cares.

Other than the above I cannot help much although I have faced the same thing many times and thankfully come through without too much damage.

All the very best - you have nothing but my admiration.

Answer 4

seriously if you cry who cares its your aunts funeral im pretty sure everyone will expect you to cry

dont presurize yourself its not an exam babe take your time if you cry ce la vie  good luck sweety c x

Answer 5

The best thing you can do is just imagine you are reading it to her. I know that sounds weird, but imagine there's no1 else in the room, it's just you & her, and she's there to hear it from you. You'll be determined not to muck it up. Just think how honoured and proud she would be of you.

And if you get upset, don't worry about it, she won't mind. She'll just appreciate you've taken the time to write something special like that just for her.

Good luck.

Answer 6

No one minds if you cry just as long as you enunciate. Imagine you're reading it to your aunt and she's sitting in the crowd., and imagine her proud smiling face as you read it.

Answer 7

Any poem you write is an expression of your feeling.Give full vent and expression to your emotions.If necessary the minister can hand out a copy of the poem to the congregation.Your actions and emotions will lend to the occasion much more than just mechanical recitation. Perhaps as well as celebrating joy, we need to unashamedly show our grief and distress (not in a mawkish or sentimental way) to be authentic human beings.

Answer 8

Practice. Read your poem in front of a small audience of your family. Try to think about good times with your aunt to keep you from breaking down. And if you do cry, try to practice being understandable.

Of course, if that doesn't work, you could always go to extremes, and train someone to read your poem the way you want it read.

I'm very sorry about your aunt. When my aunt died, what kept me strong was thinking about how upset she'd be if I was upset, so see if that helps.