What to Think About When Choosing Funeral Readings

It’s hard picking out the appropriate reading for a loved one’s funeral. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a traditional burial or a celebration of life after a cremation service in Phoenix, AZ. Choosing funeral readings can be a difficult and emotional task.

Still, it is important to honor your loved one’s life and create a meaningful and memorable service. To make the selection process easier on you, here are some things to consider when choosing funeral readings:

Personal preferences

It can be helpful to consider what the deceased person enjoyed reading or found meaningful. Did they have a favorite poem, book, or passage that they often quoted or shared with others? Including a reading that reflects their tastes and values can be a touching tribute.

Theme

Think about what you want the funeral service’s overall theme to be. Do you want it to be uplifting and hopeful or more reflective and contemplative? The appropriate readings for a celebration of life are not necessarily the same for a traditional service, either.

Choosing readings that align with the desired tone and theme can help create a cohesive and cohesive service.

Length

Consider the length of the reading when selecting a passage. You don’t want the reading to be too long and risk losing the attention of the audience, but you also don’t want it to be too short and feel rushed. Aim for something short and powerful.

Audience

The audience matters when selecting a reading. If people of different ages and backgrounds are attending the service, it may be helpful to choose something everyone can relate to and find appropriate. Otherwise, you can tailor your choices to your particular audience’s tastes.

Religious or secular

If the deceased person was religious, you may consider including a reading from their faith tradition. If they were not religious, secular texts, like poems or essays that reflect their values and beliefs, may be more suitable.

Multiple readings

You may want to include more than one reading at the funeral service. This is okay. It allows for diverse perspectives and adds depth to the service. Just be sure to balance the number of readings with the overall length of the service so that it doesn’t feel too long or overwhelming.

Personal touch

If you have a relationship with the deceased person, choose something with a personal touch. This could be a bedtime story if the deceased were a parent, a love letter if they were your partner, or a narrated story of a beloved memory. This adds emotional depth to the service and comforts your audience.

Ultimately, the most important thing when picking funeral readings is to choose something that feels authentic and meaningful to you and the deceased person. Don’t be afraid to be creative to create a service that reflects the person’s unique personality and spirit.

And if you need a cremation service in Phoenix, AZ, to help take care of these and other funeral plans, reach out to us. We specialize in crafting personalized farewells for families to immortalize their loved one’s memory. Call us now to get your arrangements started.