A eulogy is a speech given at a funeral or memorial service. It could be delivered by a member of family, good friend, priest, minister or celebrant and it also commemorates and celebrates the life span regarding the deceased.
Eulogies began in ancient Greece as well as the tradition continues today since it is still very practice that is common although not all cultures and religions include eulogies in their funeral proceedings.
A eulogy is basically a means of saying farewell to someone who has passed away by expressing and sharing thoughts, feelings and experiences that honour and respect the deceased.
They may be written in many ways that are different on the person while the circumstances.
- They can be a delivered as an even more speech that is formal includes the person’s history, career and achievements.
- They can be more personal through the stories that are sharing memories and anecdotes.
- Or, they may be a combination of both of these styles.
Writing a eulogy can be seemingly a challenging task, however writing you can also be ways to start the process that is healing. To help with writing a eulogy we have provided some suggestions on what to add below.
Example Eulogies
We now have also compiled a selectionof ten example eulogies, which we hope can inspire and motivate you if you want to deliver a eulogy at a funeral service and you also don’t know how to start. Pick from the list below,by clicking on the web link you will begin to see the eulogy in its full length.
The absolute most important things is to create from your heart and express what means the essential for your requirements. And remember you don’t need to do it alone – you will find resources around that can help.
- You might start by looking throughout the house and taking out photo that is old, going right on through old letters or emails, and any other memorabilia.
- Perhaps go for a walk around your loved one’s house and garden since this may trigger memories and ideas.
- Talking to close relatives, friends, and acquaintances can be an way that is excellent remember things.
With the writing process if you are still not sure how to put your thoughts and emotions down on paper, here are some tips to help you:
- Earn some notes of your memories, special moments together, your emotions for that person and other things that comes to mind. It generally does not necessarily have to be their life story but more info on what your one that is loved meant you.
- From these notes pick out a true number of things that are especially meaningful. If it is appropriate you might include something humorous as humour can really help diffuse a few of the tension people at a funeral may have and that can help to make the tribute personal and unique.
- Write a rough draft without fretting about how it sounds it later once you have all your thoughts down on paper– you can polish and review.
- Organise the information so that it contains an introduction, middle and end.
- Review and polish your practice and speech reading it out loud.
What to use in a Eulogy
A eulogy could be made meaningful by describing your loved one’s life with regards to achievements along with a timeline of these life. Below are a few known facts you could gather and can include in your eulogy.
Your eulogy doesn’t have to include many of these to be meaningful, but by adding a number of them it can help create your eulogy more complete:
- When and where was the born that is deceased
- Nicknames and/or names these are generally proven to others by
- Parents names – where they met and married
- Friends and family
- Early childhood – localities and interests
- Schools attended, awards gained
- Academic or trade qualifications and achievements
- Some interesting items about childhood days
- Information on any war or service that is military
- Information on marriages, divorces, children, significant relationships
- Details of grandchildren/great grandchildren
- Details of any Club memberships, positions held
- Information on sporting achievements
- Information on any hobbies or interests, travel, crafts etc.
- Information on historical significance
- Preferences, likes and dislikes
- Information on activities e.g. music, theatre etc.
- Any stories that are special sayings, qualities that are significant to others
- Special readings, poetry or music to be included
A selection has been prepared by us of example eulogies here to help you with writing a eulogy.