Formal — to stranger
Cultural · Communication
ここに故◯◯様のご霊前に謹んで申し上げます。先生のご生涯を偲び、惜別の念に堪えません。 — I now humbly speak before the spirit of the late Mr. ○○. Recalling sensei's life, I cannot bear the sorrow of parting. (Cultural · Communication, Formal — to stranger, JLPT N1)
You
ここに故◯◯様のご霊前に謹んで申し上げます。先生のご生涯を偲び、惜別の念に堪えません。
ここにこ~さまのごれいぜんにつつしんでもうしあげます。せんせいのごしょうがいをしのび、せきべつのねんにたえません。
I now humbly speak before the spirit of the late Mr. ○○. Recalling sensei's life, I cannot bear the sorrow of parting.
Romaji: Koko ni ko ○○-sama no goreizen ni tsutsushinde moushiagemasu. Sensei no goshougai wo shinobi, sekibetsu no nen ni taemasen.
Reply
(参列者一同) ...
(さんれつしゃいちどう) ...
(Attendees in silent listening)
Gesture & etiquette
Stand at lectern facing the casket/portrait. Bow deeply 45 degrees toward the deceased before speaking. Hold prepared scroll/paper at chest level with both hands. Voice low and measured, with pauses. Read slowly—rushing diminishes solemnity. After reading, bow again, then place scroll on altar.
Highest-formality funeral eulogy (弔辞 chouji) opening. 「故○○様」 (the late ○○), 「ご霊前」 (before the spirit), 「謹んで申し上げます」 (respectfully speak), 「ご生涯を偲び」 (recall life), 「惜別の念に堪えません」 (cannot bear sorrow of parting) — all N1 funeral vocabulary. Delivered standing before the casket/portrait. Read from prepared scroll/paper held at chest level with both hands.