When a celebrant is confronted by a large funeral with many speakers, the planning has to be particularly detailed.
Vanessa from Wordways Ceremonies once conducted a ceremony for a man who had been very prominent in the performing arts industry. The family accepted that there would be many people who wished to speak. There were tributes from nineteen people, some of whom were present. Vanessa read tributes on behalf of about half the speakers.
Set a time limit
The service took place in the chapel of a crematorium, so there was a finite amount of time allocated. It was agreed that nobody could speak for more than two minutes. Vanessa explained at the beginning that she would be keeping an eye on the time and if she touched the arm of the speaker they had to bring their tribute to a close. It was frustrating for some but everyone appreciated the circumstances.
Structure the ceremony
Vanessa usually constructs the celebration of life ceremony around the life of the deceased. She opened with her own Praise Poem ~ she had known and worked closely with the artist for many years.
Then she described where he had been born and his years at school in Kimberley. As a young man he had come to Johannesburg to pursue a career in dance. It was there that he met and married his wife. The first set of tributes came from his sister-in-law and her two children.
Then other Joburg friends spoke after that there were a number of tributes from people and organisations in the dance world. His talent as a dancer, choreographer, mentor, teacher and lecturer was celebrated.
After that friends and staff at the complex where he lived paid homage.
We then turned to his Kimberley family to round off the personal expressions of admiration and loss made about this remarkable man.
Ask for copies in advance
Many of us have attended memorial services where speaker after speaker seem to say the same things about the deceased. Vanessa had insisted on receiving copies of most of the speeches. She was able to cut down on some of the inevitable repetition. The celebrant advises speakers to focus on short anecdotes and in this way there will be stories unique to each person.
By insisting that speakers write down what they are going to stay also prevents vague waffling and wasting of time.
The other advantage of asking for the text in advance is that the celebrant can step in if someone feels that they can no longer carry on speaking.
Remain flexible
A celebrant is always flexible and ready to adapt to changes on the day.
On the occasion of the large funeral at the crematorium, Vanessa had to cope with the funeral parlour director stating in the middle of the ceremony that the crematorium staff insist that the coffin be lowered immediately. Half the speakers had not yet spoken, but he was adamant. So she turned to the part of the ceremony that is called the committal, when we take our leave of the loved one and then the coffin was lowered. The family became very emotional at this point, and it took a little time before the ceremony could proceed.
Then, after the scheduled tributes had been heard, two more people came forward to ask if they could speak. They had been at school with the deceased and told some wonderfully amusing and uplifting stories of him. Fortunately, the ceremony still ended on time.
Offer support at funerals with many speakers
The celebrant assures everyone that she will be able to take over if they cannot finish their tribute.
She is ready with tissues and water and stands close by, in case she is needed.
Closing thoughts
Managing a funeral with multiple speakers takes careful planning, sensitivity, and experience ~ but when it comes together, the result is a ceremony that truly honours a life well lived.
Every family is different, and every farewell should reflect that. Whether you are planning a large service with many voices wanting to be heard, or a small, intimate gathering of those closest to the person who has passed, Vanessa from Wordways Ceremonies is here to guide you through every step. Serving families across Gauteng, Vanessa brings both the structure and the heart that a meaningful farewell deserves.