How to write a eulogy

A eulogy is a speech or written tribute that is given to remember and honor a person who has passed away. It is typically given during a funeral or memorial service and is an opportunity for the speaker to share personal anecdotes and memories, reflect on the person’s life and achievements, and express condolences to the family and loved ones. A eulogy can also be used to offer words of comfort and encouragement to those who are grieving and to celebrate the life of the person who has passed away.

Purpose of a eulogy

The purpose of a eulogy is to celebrate the life of the person who has passed away, rather than to focus on their death. It can also be used as a way to help the grieving process by sharing positive memories of the person and helping others to understand and remember the person. Additionally, a eulogy can also offer words of comfort and encouragement to those who are grieving, by providing a sense of closure and helping to ease the pain of loss.

Tips for writing a eulogy

Here are the tips for writing a eulogy;

1. Gathering information: Before you start writing the eulogy, it’s important to gather as much information as possible about the person you will be eulogizing. This can include talking to family members and friends, reading old letters, journals, or photographs, and looking through personal mementos. These resources can help you understand the person’s life, accomplishments, and personality, which will give you a better sense of what to say in the eulogy.
2. Beginning the writing process: Once you have collected information about the person, start writing by focusing on the person’s positive attributes and what they meant to you and others. Try to capture the essence of the person in your writing, and remember to keep it personal and heartfelt.
3. Keep it personal and heartfelt: A eulogy is a personal tribute, so it’s important to keep it that way. Avoid using formal or impersonal language, and try to speak from the heart. Share personal anecdotes and memories that will help the audience understand and remember the person.
4. Keep it concise and focused: A eulogy is typically only a few minutes long, so it’s important to keep it concise and focused. Don’t try to cover every aspect of the person’s life, instead focus on the most important things you want to say.
5. Share personal anecdotes and memories: Share personal anecdotes and memories that will help the audience understand and remember the person. This could include funny stories, shared experiences, or special moments that you shared.
6. End with a message of hope or a call to action: Finish the eulogy with a message of hope or a call to action that honors the person’s memory. This could be something as simple as encouraging others to continue the person’s legacy, or a reminder to cherish the memories you shared with them.
7. Practice delivering the eulogy: After writing the eulogy, practice delivering it before the service. This will help you to feel more comfortable and confident when the time comes to deliver the eulogy. It will also give you a chance to make any final adjustments to the eulogy so that you can be sure, it’s the best it can be.

Format of a eulogy

A eulogy typically follows a specific format, which can include the following elements:

1. Opening: The eulogy begins with an introduction, where the speaker introduces themselves and explains their relationship to the person who has passed away. The opening may also include a quote or a brief memory of the person.
2. Body: The main part of the eulogy is the body, where the speaker shares personal anecdotes and memories of the person, reflects on their life and achievements and expresses condolences to the family and loved ones. The body of the eulogy should be focused on the person’s positive attributes and what they meant to others.
3. Conclusion: The eulogy concludes with a closing, where the speaker sums up the main points of the eulogy and offers final words of comfort and encouragement to the family and loved ones. The conclusion may also include a call to action that honors the person’s memory, such as encouraging others to continue their legacy.

Remember that the eulogy should be concise and focused, typically only a few minutes long. It should be personal and heartfelt, rather than formal or impersonal. Additionally, it is important to have a good structure, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, not only in terms of the content but also in the way the eulogy is delivered.

Do’s and Don’ts of writing a eulogy

1. Do the research and gather information about the person you will be eulogizing. This will help you to understand their life, accomplishments, and personality and give you a better sense of what to say in the eulogy.
2. Do focus on the person’s positive attributes and what they meant to you and others.
3. Do keep it personal and heartfelt, rather than formal or impersonal.
4. Do keep it concise and focused. A eulogy is typically only a few minutes long, so focus on the most important things you want to say.
5. Do share personal anecdotes and memories that will help the audience understand and remember the person.
6. Do end with a message of hope or a call to action that honors the person’s memory.
7. Do practice delivering the eulogy before the service, so you feel more comfortable and confident when the time comes.

Don’ts:

1. Don’t speak negatively about the person or their life.
2. Don’t focus on yourself or your own grief during the eulogy.
3. Don’t use religious language or references unless you are sure they align with the person’s beliefs and family’s beliefs.
4. Don’t include sensitive information that the person or their family may not want to be shared publicly.
5. Don’t make the eulogy too long, it should be a few minutes long.
6. Don’t use a lot of jargon or technical terms that the audience may not understand.
7. Don’t read the eulogy from a script, practice but use bullet points if you need to.