I think the honouring of the dead, and the recounting of their great achievements is something that you are breathless to tell everyone about... not a slow list reading of things that they have done or stood for. Likewise, when you are thinking of the things that you admired and want to live up to... then it is a moment of joy and desire... not something that is sad...

That really resonated for me, @bengy - I think the slower, sadder tempo is more suited to moments of realizing the person is gone, but when discussing/celebrating the deceased, it is usually a happy yet bittersweet type of energy. Which is my long-winded way of saying I agree that a faster tempo better suits the emotion of the piece.

May your Easter weekend be beautiful and blessed.