Your Guide to Reciting Memorial Poems and Reading from the Heart

If you’re delivering a reading of memorial poems or a eulogy, we at The AVBOB Poetry Project can offer some tips on reading with authenticity and confidence. Public speaking is challenging for many because standing in front of an audience invites scrutiny, and for some, it is difficult to escape the fear of being judged, humiliated, or just feeling insecure. While these emotions are valid, it’s important to remember one’s purpose in delivering memorial poems – to honour the life of a loved one and connect with an audience in grief. With this goal in mind, it becomes easier to expand your comfort zone enough to let your voice be heard. Below, we look at some techniques to help you prepare for the reading and ensure your delivery feels natural, empathetic, and comfortable.

Familiarise Yourself with the Memorial Poems or Piece Beforehand

Memorial poems aren’t the easiest genre to read – they’re often loaded with emotional language, and they can be hard to get through due to the sombre topic. Practising beforehand is a significant key to your confidence level when reading your piece. Get familiar with the verses, reciting them repeatedly until every word and phrase is etched into your mind and comes to you naturally. In this way, you become the custodian of these sacred sentiments and can share them with the utmost care.

Keep a Clear Copy on Hand

While it may be tempting to read the verses off your phone or even recite them from memory, keeping a printed copy of the poem is one of the best techniques. For example, one’s phone battery could die, or you might simply forget the words while recalling them from memory. There is nothing wrong with reading memorial poems off a paper or from a book, as long as the delivery flows well and the audience understands what is being shared.

Empathy and Expression

Empathy connects people in troubled times, and in delivering your piece, it is essential to maintain heartfelt sincerity. When you really feel what you are reciting, the audience is more likely to connect with you and feel the same thing, and this is when memorial poems have the most significant impact on those left behind.

Vary Your Tone and Inflection

It’s not just what a person says but how they say it that matters when connecting with others. Memorial poems can be a powerful bridge between mourners, but if your voice falls flat, the piece will, too. Try to breathe life into the verses with the right tones, slow down when needed, and vary your pitch and volume where it feels intuitive. You should not fret over performance; instead, aim to deliver the words with warmth and a sense of contemplation.

Slow Down and Breathe

It’s easy to rush through a poem if you’re feeling nervous or jittery, but an excellent way to slow down is to take a few deliberate, deep breaths beforehand and determine to pace yourself once you start reading. If you run out of breath or feel anxious, it’s okay to stop and collect yourself again. Funerals, memorials, and wakes are not a public speaking contest; they’re a space to grieve collectively, share one’s emotions, and bid a final farewell. This means there will be understanding should you stop for a second to calm yourself.

Gauge Your Audience

It can feel overwhelming to look up and see every eye in the room on you, but remember that you are in control of the delivery. Take your time to deliver your piece, and if you sense that the audience requires more context, feel free to introduce yourself, share a funny anecdote, or talk about why you’re reading the poem. This will help you connect with those watching and put you at ease too.

It’s Alright to Show Emotion or Cry

If you were particularly close to the person who has passed on, sharing can be difficult, but in your authenticity, it is important not to feel ashamed of your emotions. You can read the poem through tears or a quivering voice if you have to – this vulnerability does not make you weak; it represents the depth of your love for the person who passed on.

The goal of reading memorial poems is not to elicit specific emotions from the audience or to put on a show – it’s to express your emotions, connect with others in grief, and say goodbye to someone you dearly cherished. If you are looking for memorial poems to read or inspiration to write your own, have a look at our library .