Good friends or family may be asked to write a Eulogy, a simple tribute to the deceased. It’s probably the most important thing you can do to help family and friends deal with their loss. But do you know how to write a Eulogy?
A thoughtful eulogy which reflects the true character and attributes of the deceased is a wonderful gift to those left behind: it will bring that person to life and encourage those assembled to remember him or her in their best moments.
If you are asked to give a eulogy, or feel that you would like to do so, don’t worry about making it perfect. The important thing is to awaken memories and if you can capture these through your words you will have done a great service, not only to the deceased but also to their friends and family. A eulogy will usually last no more than 5 – 10 minutes, but may be the most helpful part of the funeral.
There are many online and other guides to writing eulogies, some of which are set out below. The main things to remember are:
Keep it personal and mainly positive
Tell a story, rather than just reciting facts. Just one example of a time when the deceased helped you, or helped someone else, can be enough to resonate with everyone present.
Give a copy of your eulogy to the priest or another person so that if you feel unable to continue the thoughts can still be expressed.
Use props if these will help: sometimes a favourite book or hat or teddy will speak louder than words
Above all, don’t worry about professionalism: you are speaking about someone you know well, to an empathetic audience. An informal, conversational style is appropriate, with shared memories and anecdotes.
Eulogy Resources
See this useful guide on How to write a Eulogy Speech
Or another guide from Write out loud