Can a Catholic funeral include a personal tribute?

My grandmother-in-law had requested a funeral the same as her twin sister, who died 24 years ago. This had included a personal tribute read by a family member. We're being told by the priest for my grandmother-in-law's funeral that the personal tribute is not allowed at the funeral, and needs to be read at the wake. Only a homily read by the priest is permitted. This has upset many members of the family. Is he correct? Or was the previous interpretation correct?