What is a eulogy?
A eulogy, also known as a funeral speech, is a speech made during a funeral to honour someone’s life. It honours and celebrates the lives of the departed. Eulogies can be given by a family member, close friend, priest, minister, or celebrant. The goal is to remind the audience, especially the family, of their unique personality and highlights of a life lived. It should convey the essence of the person’s life.
Why are eulogies important at funerals?
Funeral eulogy and speeches are delivered to describe the deceased’s life, accomplishments, and personality. A eulogy is often the most personal component of a funeral, offering a unique insight into the person’s life and experiences.
Who should say a eulogy?
During a funeral, someone close to the deceased is usually the one to offer the eulogy. Children typically deliver eulogies at their parents’ funerals; husbands or wives deliver eulogies upon the deaths of their spouses. When the person closest to them finds it difficult to give a eulogy, they may ask another loved one to do it in their place.
How to write a funeral eulogy
1. Select the Tone:
How do you start a eulogy for a funeral?
You should start by selecting a tone for the eulogy. The tone of a funeral eulogy should be respectful, but it does not necessarily need to be solemn. It should be sincere and meaningful. Depending on the circumstances, you could write a lighter eulogy or use humour. When writing a eulogy, it is critical to represent the characteristics of the person who has died. It’s not unusual for funeral eulogies or speeches to be humorous. When deciding how to write the funeral eulogy, take your loved one’s and the audience’s preferences into consideration.
2. Introduction and greetings:
How do you start a eulogy for a funeral?
Start by greeting the guests and thanking them for attending the service. Some guests attending the funeral may not know who you are, so start by introducing yourself, and provide some background. Mention your relationship to the deceased or how you met them.
3. Talk about the deceased:
After introducing yourself, you can continue by talking about the deceased. This might include things like:
- Significant events in their lives
- Their interactions and relationships with family and friends
- Their accomplishments (personal and professional)
- The things that were important to them
Be courteous if you feel the need to bring up unfavourable aspects of the person’s life. Discuss their challenges with compassion, but avoid saying anything that would shock, insult, or confuse the audience.
4. Personal memories and stories about the deceased
Include the personal and favourite memories and stories you have of the deceased. Include how your relationship with them was, their teachings, how they used to look at life, and so on. You may find it easier to express the deceased’s character this way in a eulogy. Also, ask your friends and family if they want to include anything in the eulogy about the deceased.
5. Closing:
Include a few encouraging words and bid your farewell to your loved one before concluding the eulogy. You can end the speech with a quotation, that was meaningful to the deceased’s life, or one that they themselves used to say.
How long should a eulogy at a funeral be?
Write a funeral eulogy speech that lasts three to five minutes, if possible. You don’t want it to be too long as the audience will start loosing their interests, but it should be long enough so that you may discuss the deceased in depth.
You can also, ask the person in charge of planning the service about how much time you will have to speak, if you’re not sure how long to make it.
Eulogy etiquette
Following etiquette of funeral eulogy is simple and easy. Anything that you believe is significant can be included in a eulogy. You could choose to keep it primarily fact-based, written in chronological sequence, and concluding with a little note of personal reminiscence. You could also mention a few personal notes and stories about them. These might even be humorous tales, which can help the audience relax. Ask your friends and family if they have something, they want to include in the speech.
Practice it before you deliver the funeral eulogy, and try to make eye contact with the audiences. If it’s hard for you to deliver it, ask someone else to do it for you.
You could also see the examples of best eulogies ever written. It can give you an idea of what you could include in your speech.
What is an example of a eulogy?
Here is a short funeral eulogy example:
Danny was a source of excitement and adventure in my life for many years. He showed up for life in the most spectacular way conceivable. I knew we’d be great friends the instant he shared his lunch with me on the first day of our high school.
He worked as a professor for this university for many years, and his heart was huge enough to provide attention to everyone that stepped into his classroom. Danny touched the lives of hundreds of students over the years, and his generosity and optimism will leave an indelible mark on this community.
When is the eulogy read at a funeral?
The eulogy is usually delivered during the funeral service. It is entirely up to you when you would like the eulogy to be delivered; your funeral director or the person conducting the event will assist you in creating the funeral order of service.
Who gives the eulogy at a funeral?
The person who delivers the funeral eulogy is not subject to any strict guidelines. It is generally offered by individuals who were extremely close to or had a special bond with the deceased loved one. Best friends, spouses, kids, grandchildren, or even co-workers, anyone can give the funeral eulogy.
What should be included in a funeral eulogy?
- A summary of their life, including significant events
- Your greatest memories with them, including a particular tale or information about their close relatives and friends
- Any notable achievements in their profession, interests, or hobbies
- Poems, tales, or songs composed by the deceased
- Favourite quotations from writers or poets they admire