Writing a Eulogy
Contents
- Who Will Officiate the Funeral?
- Order of Service
- Poems, Readings & Prayers for Funeral Service
- Hymns & Music for Funeral Service
- Singers & Musicians for Funeral Service
- Personal Touches for Funeral Service
- Organising Stationery for Funeral Service
- Informing Family and Friends About a Funeral
- Live Streaming, Photography & Videography
What is a Eulogy?
A eulogy is the speech made at a funeral or memorial service about the person who has died. Usually made by a close friend or family member, it is an uplifting tribute to the deceased in which their life is remembered and celebrated.
There are no rules, and every eulogy is unique. The best speeches are those written and delivered from the heart and that capture the essence of the deceased – bringing them vividly back into the minds of family and friends.
Whilst it is a great honour and privilege to undertake this role, it can feel like a huge responsibility too, but we hope the following points may help.
How to Write a Eulogy
Gather Information and Decide on the Tone
First, gather information and set out the key details and milestones of the person’s life. These may include the following:
- names of parents, siblings and children
- close friends and colleagues
- stories from their childhood
- places they have lived and loved
- education and employment history
- favourite hobbies, books, songs or poems
- accomplishments and achievements
- funny stories
- unique characteristics, behaviour and qualities
Decide on the tone for the eulogy. This will depend on the age of the deceased, the circumstances surrounding their death and the audience. If they have lived a long and happy life it may be appropriate to have a more lighthearted tone.
Consider Breaking Up the Speech
It can sometimes help to break the speech into a beginning, middle and an end.
The beginning:
Start by introducing yourself, explain your relationship to the deceased and acknowledge the honour of being asked to deliver the eulogy.
The Middle:
This will depend on the individual circumstances and the tone you choose to use, but some guidelines are:
- celebrate the person’s character, their spirit and personality, the way they lived their life, their values and the impact they had on the lives of others
- acknowledge them in an honest but loving way, avoiding references to controversial subjects (or put them in a positive light)
- tell stories and share happy memories, including recollections from family and friends
- don’t be afraid to use humour – describing funny anecdotes, amusing qualities, expressions or mannerisms can lighten the atmosphere and help people to connect with, and to remember, the person they have lost
- highlight their accomplishments, skills or achievements, or how they met a challenge with courage and dignity
- refer to their immediate family and acknowledge what they meant to each other
- focus on the person’s life and not their death – a eulogy is an opportunity to celebrate their life and to remember the happy times
The ending:
Try to keep the ending short and reflective, yet uplifting and positive. Maybe talk about their legacy – their children, how they have impacted on other people’s lives, the lessons imparted, a project or something worthwhile. Finally, it can be comforting to close with a final thought, a favourite quotation, reading or poem.
Delivering a Eulogy
Preparation
A eulogy only needs to be about 4 to 6 minutes long. Ask for feedback from close friends and get it proof read by a member of the deceased’s family to make sure the facts are correct and to avoid upsetting anyone. Maybe check with the other speakers to avoid repetition.
Practice and Read Slowly
Practice beforehand, reading it out loud several times. This will help you read it more comfortably at the funeral.
Read slowly – it may help to write ‘pause’ on the side of the speech at appropriate place.
Before you start speaking, take a deep breath and try to relax. Maybe have a glass of water nearby.
Consider Having a Back-up Speaker
Don’t worry if you become emotional, it is perfectly natural to do so and everybody is on your side. It is absolutely fine to pause while you re-compose yourself.
Some people choose to have a back-up speaker. If you wish to do so, give the appointed person a copy of your speech beforehand and agree on a signal that will indicate for them to step in.
