Miss Manners: Keeping funeral speeches on track and meaningful

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I would like you to address behavior at the open mic at a funeral. Some people have a knack for comforting the grieving and eliciting gentle laughter with a sweet story. Others have droned on about knowing the deceased very well…cutting to the chase, it turns out they just filled their gas tank a few times. (True story!)

How does one handle such situations graciously?

GENTLE READER: It seems obvious to Miss Manners that it is a terrible idea to ask people, most of whom have no experience with public speaking, to improvise at a time of great emotion. But she seems to be alone in this.

If you must provide such a forum, station someone with sufficient fortitude, experience, tact — and, if possible, emotional detachment from the deceased — near the microphone who can intervene when necessary.