How To Write a Eulogy
When a loved one dies, the responsibility of writing the eulogy is usually passed to a spouse, child, family or close friend.
Delivering a eulogy is a very emotional time, not only are you having to deal with the fact you are at the funeral of a loved one, but you also want to ensure that you give them a fitting ‘send-off’.
If you have been asked to deliver a eulogy, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you craft a fitting tribute to the person who has passed.
Does a Eulogy Have to be Sombre?
The tone of the eulogy is thoroughly dependent on the personality of the deceased and the wishes of the family.
If you have been asked to write the eulogy, consider speaking to those close to the deceased to get a feel for what they want to hear on the day.
Sharing funny stories or memories is a great way to encourage guests to relax a little and reflect on their own anecdotes. Similarly, a brief, sombre eulogy may be more fitting to the situation.
Getting the opinions of others once you have an outline of your speech will help you find the ideal tone for your eulogy.
How to Read a Eulogy
There is no right or wrong way to structure your eulogy, however, if you are finding it hard to get started, here is our guide to composing a eulogy.
- Start by introducing yourself and your relationship with the deceased, offering condolences to the family.
- Take a moment to thank those who are attending the funeral, paying attention to any guests who have traveled a long way to be there.
- Talk about the deceased, focusing on their personality, their quirks and what made them unique. Inform guests about major events in the deceased’s life and any key milestones.
- Talk about what you learned from the deceased and the goals and ambitions that they had in their life.
- Share their achievements, hobbies and passions.
- Share a personal anecdote that signifies your relationship with the deceased.
- Read a poem, quote or bible verse that is significant to the deceased. This could be something by their favourite author or something you have written yourself.
- Offer your final condolences to the family before saying goodbye to the deceased.
Writing and delivering a eulogy is not an easy task and if you are struggling to put your words together, ask for help and support from family and friends. Sometimes, sharing memories will help spark the inspiration needed to help you compose your goodbye.