Your family is not your congregation, so I think it’s understandable that you wanted to play the role of niece/daughter/sister at the funeral rather than minister.

But I hope you will be glad that you did the service. My grandmother’s memorial service was deeply moving and illuminating. My father and uncle (her two sons) spoke. So did my mother and sister (the minister did very little talking). My cousin did not speak. I did. I will always be glad I did, despite the fact that tears ran down my face the whole time (I had a handkerchief, and I can usually still speak clearly even while in tears).

It was a good last gift to give to my grandmother, and a good gift to all we who loved her to give each other, to see Mary through each other’s eyes.

And I agree heartily with Fausto in this instance. (Not in all instances– I seriously doubt that any REAL goat would turn up his or her nose at a nice handkerchief, even if it was slightly used– most things taste better with a little salt, anyway.)

I think you’ll be fine. I even think if you lose control a little, that will be fine, too. It will be family, and they’ll all be feeling what you’re feeling.

By the way, why did you leave out vv. 16-20? It’s about goats, and eating. There’s got to be some significance in that.