People respond to traditions differently.
My uncle died two months ago it irritated my cousin when people called for condoning. I was numb and went through the formalities mechanically when Papa died. Another cousin though found the condolence visits embarrassing and time devouring he suddenly recalls incidents and talks about them.
The tradition of eulogy during condolences or funeral are supposed to be as the Greeks put it “praise the dead, inspire or instruct the living.” There is something comforting when people evoke memory of the dead in a way that it consoles the living.
People share anecdotes, or the moment the dead touched their lives to change it irreversibly in most cases for the good.
It is as though the dead is revived. The choke emerges and a sob is eased. A hand on the shoulder, which assures affection for the person dead, who they loved and admired it is now transferred to you.
It also reminds you the onus of having to honor that legacy. The essential purpose I think of these funerals, eulogies, and condolences are to let the living know that their grief is shared honored and eased.
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